Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Ephesians 4:14
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Ephesians4:14
14. Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in Ep 4:13 it is stated positively.
tossed to and fro--inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. So the Greek. Compare Jas 1:6.
carried about--with every wind from without.
doctrine--"teaching." The various teachings are the "winds" which keep them tossed on a sea of doubts (He 13:9; compare Mt 11:7).
by--Greek, "in"; expressing "the evil atmosphere in which the varying currents of doctrine exert their force" [Ellicott].
sleight--literally, "dice playing." The player frames his throws of the dice so that the numbers may turn up which best suit his purpose.
of men--contrasted with Christ (Ep 4:13).
and--Greek, "in."
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive--Translate as Greek, "craftiness tending to the methodized system of deceit" ("the schemes of error") [Alford]. Bengel takes "deceit," or "error," to stand for "the parent of error," Satan (compare Ep 6:11); referring to his concealed mode of acting.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ephesians 4:14. Public domain.
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