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Ephesians 4:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 4:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;
Ephesians 4:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;
16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in [due] measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;
← Ephesians 4:14Ephesians 4:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But speaking the truth in love, &c.] Either Christ himself, who is the truth, and is to be preached, and always spoken of with strong affection and love; or the Gospel, the word of truth, so called in opposition to that which is false and fictitious; and also to the law, which is shadowish; and on account of its author, the God of truth, and its subject matter, Christ, and the several doctrines of grace; and because the spirit of truth has dictated it, and does direct to it, and owns and blesses it: this, with respect to the ministers of the Gospel, should be spoken openly, honestly, and sincerely, and in love to the souls of men, and in a way consistent with love, in opposition to the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, Eph 4:24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. the head-- (Eph 1:22).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But speaking the truth in love - Margin, “being sincere.” The translation in the text is correct - literally, “truthing in love” - ἀληθεύοντες alētheuontes. Two things are here to be noted: (1) The truth is “to be spoken” - the simple, unvarnished truth. This is the way to avoid error, and this is the way to preserve others from error. In opposition to all trick, and art, and cunning, and fraud, and deception, Christians are to speak the simple truth, and nothing but the truth. Every statement which they make should be unvarnished truth; every promise which they make should be true; every representation which they make of the sentiments of others should he simple truth. “Truth is the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Into him - Into his image and Spirit, and into a full union with him. Ephesians 4:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But: Eph 4:25; Zac 8:16; Co2 4:2, Co2 8:8 speaking the truth: or, being sincere, Jdg 16:15; Psa 32:2; Joh 1:47; Rom 12:9; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16; Pe1 1:22; Jo1 3:18 may: Eph 2:21; Hos 14:5-7; Mal 4:2; Pe1 2:2; Pe2 3:18 which: Eph 1:22, Eph 5:23; Col 1:18, Col 1:19 Ephesians 4:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification