Edifying (occodouny). Rev., buclding up. See on Acts xx. 32. Notice the combination of perfecting and building. Build- ing defines the nature of the work of ministry, and perfecting comes through a process.
13. Till (uéypr). Specifying the time up to which this min- istry and impartation of gifts are to last.
Come (xatavrjcwpev). Arrive at,asa goal. See Acts xvi. 1; xviii. 19; xxv.13. Rev., attadn.
In the unity (eis). Rev., correctly, wnto. Compare one faith, ver. 5.
Knowledge (ris émuyvdcews). The full knowledge. Not identical with fazth, since the article puts it as a distinct con- ception ; but related to faith. Compare Philip. iii. 9,10; 1 John iv. 16. “Christians are not to be informed merely on
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different sections of truth and erring through defective inform- ation on other points, but they are to be characterized by the completeness and harmony of their ideas of the power, work, history, and glory of the Son of God” (Eadie).
Of the Son of God. Belongs to both faith and knowledge. Faith zn Him, knowledge of Him.
Perfect (réAevov). Rev., full grown. See on 1 Cor. ii. 6.
Measure of the stature (uérpov AruKias). Defining per- fect man. For stature, see on Luke xii. 25. The word is rendered age, John ix. 21, 23; Heb. xi. 11. So here, by some, the age when the fulness of Christ is received. But fulness and grow up (ver. 15) suggest rather the idea of magnitude.
Fulness of Christ. Which belongs to Christ and is im- parted by Him. See John i. 16, and compare ch. iii. 19.
14. Children (v77v01). See on 1 Cor. ii. 6; iii, 1. As to the connection, ver. 13 states the ultimate goal of christian training; ver. 14 that which is pursued with a view to the at- tainment of that goal. Ver. 14 is subordinate to ver. 13, as is shown by the retention of the same figure, and is remotely de- pendent on vy. 11,12. The remote end, ver. 13, is placed be- fore the more immediate one, as in ver. 12. See note.
Tossed to and fro (xAvdwrfouevor). Only here in the New Testament. See on wave, Jas. i. 6. For Paul’s use of nautical metaphors, see on Philip. i. 28. Compare Plato: “ Socrates. In a ship, if a man having the power to do what he likes, has no intelligence or skill in navigation, do you see what will hap- pen to him and to his fellow-sailors? Alcibiades. Yes, I see that they will all perish ” (‘‘ Alcibiades,” i., 185).
Wind of doctrine. Or ofthe teaching. The different teach- ings of philosophers or of religious quacks are represented as winds, blowing the unstable soul in every direction.
Sleight («vBelq). Only here in the New Testament. From KvBos a cube or die. Lit., dice-playing.
Cunning craftiness (zavoupyia). See on Luke xx. 28. The craft which gamblers use.
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Whereby they lie in wait to deceive (pos tv pedodelar ths wravns). Lit., tending to the system of error. Rev., after the wiles of error. MedJodeia means a deliberate planning or system. Of error includes the idea of decezt or delusion. See Matt.xxvil..64 5) Romi.) 82 beta lereilin) ( 9 asannol. Error organizes. It has its systems and its logic. Ellicott re- marks that here it is almost personified.
15. Speaking the truth (dAnIevovres). Only here and Gal. iv. 16. In classical Greek it means fo be true, to arrive at truth, and to speak truth. Tere the idea is rather that of being or walking in truth. Rev., in margin, dealing truly.
In love. Some connect with grow up. The parallel con- struction, tossed and carried about in the sleight, in craftiness, speaking truth in love, favors the A. V. and Rev., as does the awkwardness of speaking truth standing alone. Moreover, Paul’s habit is to subjoin, and not to prefix, his qualifying clauses.