Ephesians 4_14-16 | American Pastor

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Glory of His Grace

Ephesians 4:14-16

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine. Here we observe the next purpose of the gift ministries that Christ has placed in His church—it is so that those saved by the Son of God are not tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine. There are two elements here listed in reference to the sea—tossed to and fro, just as a small vessel would be in a raging storm, and carried about in that same extreme tempest, without any ability to control its direction. Such is the case with false and misleading doctrine, which ultimately produces instability of faith and persistent wandering in any who believe it.

The Greek word for tossed to and fro is #2831 kludónizomai. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word, “To be tossed by waves, to be agitated or unsettled.” The word is derived “from the Greek noun κλύδων (kludon), meaning ‘a wave’ or ‘a surge.’”

Kludónizomai’s usage is “metaphorically to describe a state of being tossed about or agitated, much like a ship caught in a stormy sea. It conveys a sense of instability, lack of direction, and vulnerability to external forces. In the New Testament, it is used to illustrate spiritual or emotional turmoil, often in the context of doubt or lack of faith.”

As for the word’s cultural and historical background, Strong’s reveals that “In the ancient Mediterranean world, seafaring was a common yet perilous activity. The sea was often seen as a symbol of chaos and danger, and being caught in a storm was a vivid metaphor for life’s uncertainties and trials. The imagery of being tossed by waves would have resonated deeply with early Christian communities, many of whom lived in coastal regions and were familiar with the unpredictability of the sea.”

Kludónizomai is used only once in Scripture, but its root, #2830 kludón, is used in both Luke 8:24,^[1] “raging of the water,” and James 1:6,^[2] “like a wave of the sea.”^[3] All seas can become extremely violent and unpredictable, prompted by unexpected weather patterns. The Christian’s faith is no different. Only what unsettles him and is aimed to produce spiritual doubt and religious instability in his faith is false doctrine. Whether saints are aware of it or not, every false teacher’s doctrine is aimed at creating distrust, instability, and lack of confidence in God’s true Word through introducing false and misleading beliefs. These untruths, when followed, will lead to nothing but spiritual ruin and religious aimlessness. This is because whatever is not the truth the Lord will not back up or stand behind. Hence, if it is a lie that is being taught but feigned and presented as trustworthy, then it will fall to the ground, with the Lord never supporting it. This is not true with the true Word of God^[4] but is absolutely true of that feigned gospel proclaimed by false prophets^[5] and teachers. When a lie is taught as truth, it makes no difference whether it’s done intentionally or unintentionally, since the result will always be the same, with the Lord inevitably never backing it up or assisting in what has been spoken to come to pass. Ultimately all false doctrines resemble strong oceanic winds, which blow people away from the true faith and the religious stability it produces.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:14) And carried about with every wind of doctrine—With no firmness; no settled course; no helm. The idea is that of a vessel on the restless ocean, that is tossed about with every varying wind, and that has no settled line of sailing. So many persons are in regard to religious doctrines. They have no fixed views and principles. They hold no doctrines that are settled in their minds by careful and patient examination, and the consequence is, that they yield to every new opinion, and submit to the guidance of every new teacher. The “doctrine” taught here is, that we should have settled religious opinions. We should carefully examine what is truth, and having found it, should adhere to it, and not yield on the coming of every new teacher.

It is always fallacious doctrine that the devil seeks to introduce to unsuspecting and new spiritual converts—who like earthly children are likely to place harmful and dangerous objects into their mouths—in order to either destroy their faith or at the very least hinder their spiritual growth. No inexperienced Christian is exempt from this temptation, and time will prove, as believers are developed in the faith, the previous naivety that once existed in them. This is why if those exposed to the gospel have as yet no fixed, firm, and established spiritual doctrine to guide them, then ultimately they will receive and believe deceptive error in its place. For any to mistakenly believe that they cannot be deceived by perfidious doctrine only makes them more susceptible to it.^[6]

By the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness. The means by which Christians are led astray is through the sleight of men. The Greek word for sleight is #2940 kubeia. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word as “Trickery, deceit, craftiness,” with the meaning of “(lit: playing with dice, gaming, hence) trickery, sleight.” The word origin is “derived from κύβος (kubos), meaning ‘a cube’ or ‘a die’ used in gambling.”

The cultural and historical background of the word is described as follows: “In the ancient Greco-Roman world, gambling with dice was a common pastime, often associated with trickery and deceit. The use of ‘kubeia’ in the New Testament reflects this cultural understanding, drawing a parallel between the deceptive nature of gambling and the cunning tactics of false teachers who lead believers astray. The imagery would have been vivid to early Christians, who were familiar with the societal implications of gambling and deceit.”

HELPS Word-studies reveals that the word is “associated with a ‘sleight of the hand,’ [and it] implies the use of trickery and cheating (used only in Eph 4:14).” It should not surprise us that the tool the devil uses to create instability and doubt in one born of God is an individual falsely purporting himself as also to be of God. Who best to deceive unsuspecting Christians than those who at least on the outside seem to be of the same kind? It is also worth noting that though men are used to deceive the elect, at the core of all deception is the great deceiver himself.^[7] In our original parents’ deception it was a serpent who schemed, plotted, and was successful in leading Adam and Eve into disobedience to God’s Word and the death it produces.^[8] The serpent is described in Scripture as more subtle, i.e. crafty, than any beast of the field.^[9] It is also this same malicious, evil entity and deceptive angel of light who today masquerades himself as representative of God through coming in God’s name but ultimately seeking to devour any who listen to his lies.^[10] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8).

(Benson Commentary, I Pet. 5:8) Because your grand adversary, the devil, full of rage, as a roaring lion—Fierce and hungry, walketh about—Watching for an opportunity to insnare and destroy you; seeking—With all subtlety likewise, whom he may assault with the greatest likelihood of success, and devour—Swallow up both soul and body. This manner of speaking strongly expresses the insatiable rage of this enemy of mankind to hinder their salvation, and the danger we are in from his devices and snares. He sometimes attacks the people of God in person, though not visibly, and sometimes by his ministers, the other evil spirits who are in league with him; and sometimes by wicked men, his subjects, whom he instigates to tempt them by the terror of persecution. This account of the devil’s malice is given with great propriety by Peter, to whom our Lord had said, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee. Whom resist—As you regard your safety and life, be careful to oppose him in all his assaults; steadfast in the faith—Firmly believing the truths and promises of the gospel, and adhering constantly to, and confiding in Christ, in whom all these truths and promises are yea and amen.

It is the Word of God, and it is written, which is the greatest defense against believing false doctrines and religious error cleverly disguised as the truth.^[11] Hence, just as Jesus responded with It is written when He was tempted by the devil,^[12] so should the Lord Jesus’ followers do the same. For it is only the true Word of God rightly divided that can debunk false doctrine and those subtly seeking to distort the truth. The second line of spiritual defense against error, and those who promote it, is trusting in the Holy Spirit. It is this Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus sent to guide His followers into the truth, Who is the only faithful and true Spirit in the world today. It is also this holy and pure Spirit Who will lead to eternal life amidst a host of lying spirits^[13] purposed to lead men to death. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, John 16:13) Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come, … he will guide you into all truth … He is as a guide, he goes before, leads the way, removes obstructions, opens the understanding, makes things plain and clear, teaches to profit, and leads in the way men should go, without turning to the right hand or left, which, without such a guide, they would be apt to do. The Jews (y) have a notion of the Holy Ghost being a guide into all wisdom and knowledge.

“R. Phinehas says, the Holy Spirit rested upon Joseph from his youth to the day of his death, and ‘guided him into all wisdom,’ as a shepherd leads his flock, according to Psalm 80:1;”^[14]

It is worth emphasizing that the true Spirit of God^[15] is purposed to guide, lead, and direct believers to discover God’s will for their lives. Consequently, the Holy Spirit cannot force, manipulate, or coerce saints to follow divine will. This is the way of evil spirits; it is not the way of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, a person may easily reject the Spirit of truth and continue to pursue either his own spirit, or even more dangerous, the spirit of error, which is presently at work in the world. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (I John 4:6). It is only those who hear God’s true Word, spoken by Christ’s apostles, who have recognized and embraced the Spirit of truth. In contrast to this are any who reject the spiritual authority of Christ’s true ministers and the Word of God spoken by them. Ultimately all who are of God will recognize those sent by Him,^[16] even as all who have followed another spirit, that which Scripture reveals as the spirit of error, surely will not.

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, I John 4:6) spirit of error—the spirit which comes from Satan and seduces into error.

All of the Lord’s true ministers will carry with them an air of spiritual authority since they are fully aware of their divine calling and appointment.^[17]^, Like the Lord Jesus, those truly sent by Him and filled with the Spirit of His power^[18] are unafraid of either the opinions or positions of men. This spiritual boldness and divine authority was first evidenced in their Savior, when those exposed to Him were astonished at his doctrine and recognized the divine authority of Christ’s person. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matt. 7:28–29).

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, Matt. 7:29) For he taught them as one having authority—The word “one,” which our translators have here inserted, only weakens the statement.

and not as the scribes—The consciousness of divine authority, as Lawgiver, Expounder and Judge, so beamed through His teaching, that the scribes’ teaching could not but appear drivelling in such a light.

By the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. It is often difficult for those young in the faith and pure of heart^[19] to initially comprehend that there exists in the world many who feign being of God but are actually lying in wait to deceive them. Sadly, most of us see others through our own eyes, so that if our own motives are pure and genuine, we naturally assume that others are similarly motivated by the same sincere beliefs and desires. It is this religious naivety, innocence, and gullible idealism commonly found in those newly converted that are exactly what those who lie in wait to deceive count on.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:14) By the sleight of men—The cunning skill “trickery” of people. The word used here—κυβεία kubeia—is from a word (κύβος kubos) meaning a cube or die, and properly means a game at dice. Hence, it means game, gambling; and then anything that turns out by mere chance or hap-hazard—as a game at dice does. It “may” possibly also denote the trick or fraud that is sometimes used in such games; but it seems rather to denote a man’s forming his religious opinions by “the throw of a die;” or, in other words, it describes a man whose opinions seem to be the result of mere chance. Anything like casting a die, or like opening the Bible at random to determine a point of duty or doctrine, may come under the description of the apostle here, and would all be opposed to the true mode, that by calm examination of the Bible, and by prayer, a man who forms his religious principles by chance, can un “form” them in the same way; and he who has determined his faith by one cast of the die, will be likely to throw them into another form by another. The phrase “the sleight of men” therefore I would render “by the mere chance of people, or as you may happen to find people, one holding this opinion, and the next that, and allowing yourself to be influenced by them without any settled principles.”

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

The proper spiritual response to those whom Paul has stated lie in wait to deceive is speaking (and/or living the truth) in love. There is no greater antidote to deception than the truth. When coupling the truth of God with walking in the love of God, believers will advance in spiritual growth and become more like their Savior, including forming a formidable defense against those who lie in wait to deceive. What this also teaches us is that neither the truth nor love on its own and without the other will fully prohibit deception. For he who holds the truth but does not love knows not the Lord and God’s will for his life; neither can he who loves but remains ignorant of the truth become aware of the true path to God. Important to note as well is that no individual can ever be truly saved by God who lacks in his heart a sincere and genuine affection for the truth of God’s Word. Since it is only those who truly embrace and cherish this Word who will be saved by God, all who possess not such a love of the truth will inevitably perish. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (II Thess. 2:10).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, II Thess. 2:10) Because they received not the love of the truth—They prefer this system of error and delusion to the simple and pure gospel, by which they might have been saved.

It is the truth that the Lord Jesus said would sanctify His people, and the Lord alone, Who is the way, the truth, and the life.^[20] It is also the truth that God uses to beget children unto Himself,^[21] to then set them free,^[22] and His own Spirit of truth, which is sufficiently able to guide those called to Himself^[23] into all truth.^[24] Adding to this, it is critical in ministry for those who have been entrusted with the gospel to remain diligent in their spiritual responsibility to rightly divide the Scriptures.^[25] If new Christians are taught the truth—the pure gospel of Jesus Christ—then religious error can be avoided and genuine growth and spiritual development will inevitably occur. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:2).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I Pet. 2:2) As new-born babes—The phrase used here would properly denote those which were just born, and hence Christians who had just begun the spiritual life. …

Desire the sincere milk of the word—The pure milk of the word. On the meaning of the word “sincere,” see the notes at Ephesians 6:24.^[26] The Greek word here (ἄδολον adolon) means, properly, that which is without guile or falsehood; then unadulterated, pure, genuine. The Greek adjective rendered “of the word,” (λογικὸν logikon,) means properly rational, pertaining to reason, or mind; and, in the connection here with milk, means that which is adapted to sustain the soul. …

That ye may grow thereby—As babes grow on their proper nutriment. Piety in the heart is susceptible of growth, and is made to grow by its proper aliment, as a plant or a child is, and will grow in proportion as it has the proper kind of nutriment.

There is but one Word of truth^[27] and but one Spirit of truth,^[28] and until both are fully known and govern the believer’s life, deception is dangerously close. The Spirit that Jesus imparts to His followers is not a spirit of fear but the Holy Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.^[29] There is no actual truth that either comes from man or originates from him―so that without the guide of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for any individual Christian, or any other man for that matter, to properly direct his own steps. O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23).

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Jer. 10:23) it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps; as not in natural and civil things, much less in religious ones; a good man is one that “walks”, which supposes life and strength, without which there can be no walking; and a progression, a going on in a way; which ways are Christ, and his ordinances the path of doctrine and of duty; yet it is not even in this good man “to direct” and order “his steps” of himself; it is the Lord that must do it, and does; he can take no step aright without him; he is guided by him and his Spirit, both in the path of truth and of obedience; and hence it is that the saints persevere unto the end; see Psalm 37:23.^[30]

God’s way has always been never to hide the truth but to openly reveal it to those sincerely desiring to come to know and believe upon Himself. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right (Isa. 45:19).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Isa. 45:19) I have not spoken in secret—The word rendered ‘secret’ (סתר sı̂ther) denotes a hiding, or covering; and the phrase here means secretly, privately. He did not imitate the pagan oracles by uttering his predictions from dark and deep caverns, and encompassed with the circumstances of awful mystery, and with designed obscurity.

In a dark place of the earth—From a cave, or dark recess, in the manner of the pagan oracles. The pagan responses were usually given from some dark cavern or recess, doubtless the better to impress with awe the minds of those who consulted the oracles, and to make them more ready to credit the revelations of the fancied god. … In contradistinction from all this, God says that he had spoken openly, and without these circumstances of designed obscurity and darkness. In the language here, there is a remarkable resemblance to what the Saviour said of himself, and it is not improbable that he had this passage in his mind: ‘I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing’ John 18:20. A similar declaration occurs in Deuteronomy 30:11: ‘This commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.’

I the Lord speak righteousness—This stands in opposition to the pagan oracles, which often gave false, delusive, and unjust responses. But not so with God. He had not spoken, as they did, from deep and dark places—fit emblems of the obscurity of their answers; he had not, as they had, commanded a service that was unprofitable and vain; and he had not, as they had, uttered oracles which were untrue and fitted to delude.

I declare things that are right—Lowth renders this, ‘Who give direct answers;’ and supposes it refers to the fact, that the pagan oracles often give ambiguous and deceitful responses. God never deceived. His responses were always true and unambiguous.

It is because God does not change that neither can His truth. It is for this reason, because the Lord changes not,^[31] that believers should be wary of all strange doctrines introduced as some form of new spiritual enlightenment. It is common among those who have not believed in Christ, like the Athenians of old, to seek for and follow every new thing. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21). This reality is why lost Christians are always in search of some new teacher or preacher who will reveal to them some new way of knowing God or operating His power, all the while leaving God’s true ministers and the established Word of God that they remain grounded to. Second Timothy reveals this endless path of learning but never coming to the true path of righteousness. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Tim. 3:7).

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, Acts 17:21) all the Athenians … spent their time in nothing else but to tell or hear some new thing—literally, “newer thing,” as if what was new becoming presently stale, they craved something still more new [Bengel]. This lively description of the Athenian character is abundantly attested by their own writers.

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(Vincent’s Word Studies, Acts 17:21) In the speech of Cleon to the Athenians, given by Thucydides (iii., 38), he says: “No men are better dupes, sooner deceived by novel notions, or slower to follow approved advice. You despise what is familiar, while you are worshippers of every new extravagance. You are always hankering after an ideal state, but you do not give your minds even to what is straight before you. In a word, you are at the mercy of your own ears.”

Ultimately, he who is not content with the revelation of Jesus Christ, both taught and revealed through Him, will search for some new thing, which will always be thought to be more enlightening, more illuminating, and more riveting than the true gospel found in Christ.^[32] In truth, though, the way of salvation and the way to be saved by God will never be found through some new thing. This divine path can be discovered only through believers returning to the old ways, the old paths, of tried and established biblical doctrine. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jer. 6:16–19).

(Benson Commentary, Jer. 6:16–17) Ask for the old paths—Inquire in what way the patriarchs, the judges, the kings, and prophets of former times walked, and imitate their practices. And ye shall find rest for your souls—You will find peace with God, will be safe under his protection, and in consequence thereof will have comfort and satisfaction in your own minds. See Matthew 11:28–29.^[33] But they said, We will not walk therein—If they did not say so in express words, yet such was the language of their actions: though the prophets had directed them into the right way, and though they knew others had experienced it to be so, yet they would not be persuaded to walk in it, but deliberately refused the blessings offered them. Also I set watchmen over you—I gave you prophets, as so many watchmen, to warn you of the evils that threatened you. And they faithfully discharged their duty, admonishing you of your sins, and giving you faithful warning of the judgments they would bring upon you; saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet—That is, to the warning given you of approaching danger.

Understandably, all genuine spiritual growth originates from the relationship that believers maintain with the Son of God. It is through Him that Christians have been created^[34] and in Him that they are purposed to grow. And yet even today, so many are so easily moved and led away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel (Gal. 1:6).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Gal. 1:6) So soon removed—Luther remarks that this is also a mild and gentle term. It implies that foreign influence had been used to turn away their minds from the truth. The word used here (μετατίθεσθε metatithesthe) means, “to transpose; to put in another place;” and then, “to go over from one party to another.” Their affections had become transferred to other doctrines than those which they had at first embraced, and they had moved off from the only true foundation, to one which would give them no support.

Practically, when believers are removed from Christ, they cease to hold as their Head the Son of God and His gospel. And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God (Col. 2:19). Ultimately it is through the Head that the body is nourished and believers are built up, even as it is through this same Head that the body of Christ has been fitly joined together. If then there is a disruption between the Lord Jesus and His saved ones, then all spiritual growth and divine enlightenment will cease.^[35] Just as no man can come to the Father apart from the Son,^[36] so cannot any man receive true increase from God if he becomes detached from Him Who is the source of all spiritual growth and enlightenment in His body.^[37]

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Just as speaking and living the truth in love is individually an antidote to false teachers, so is it Christ’s will that those members saved by Him grow and develop in His love, that they may collectively edify other members of His body. This is why if anyone truly desires to grow in religious piety, he needs only to look at that spiritual quality and divine fruit that Christ has most directly connected to Himself. This fruit of the Spirit is the love of God. It was love that was the principal command of Jesus’ two great commandments^[38] and also love that the Savior said would reveal who were His true disciples.^[39] It is only walking and growing in Christ’s love that provides true evidence that we are of God and that His nature is being perfected within us.^[40] From these verses and many others, it should not surprise us that Christ’s main purpose for His newly formed church, created through His death, resurrection, and ascension, is that they so mature in His love^[41] that they are able to bring forth spiritual edification to all the other members of Christ’s body, with the hope that all of Christ’s true followers esteem walking in Christ’s love as their sole reason for living. To pursue Christ’s love, understandably is to pursue the Savior Himself. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (Eph. 5:1–2).

(Pulpit Commentary, Eph. 5:2) And walk in love. … Let your ordinary life be spent in an atmosphere of love. Drink it in from heaven, as plants drink in the sunshine; radiate it forth from eyes and face; let hands and feet be active in the service; let looks, words, and acts all be steeped in it.

To properly follow God and be a genuine imitator of Him will require pursuing that love, which the Son of God introduced into this world. It is this love, this spiritual quality of God,^[42] that proves Christians possess true relationship with the Savior and through regeneration have been born of Him.^[43] Because God is love,^[44] then there is nothing more indicative of being saved by Him and becoming His child than when we, His people, edify, strengthen, and encourage one another through His own divine nature.

Edifying of itself in love.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Eph. 4:16) Maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (the building up) of itself in love.—Here, lastly, we have the function of the body itself. It is knit together by its divine organisation; it is sustained by the supply from the head; its several parts are kept in life by that supply; but it grows as a whole and builds itself up by the uniting and vivifying power of love, which is the “bond of perfectness.” (Just so St. Paul says of the individual, in 1Corinthians 8:1, “Charity edifieth.”^[45]) Truth is, no doubt, the basis of unity; but love is its vital power, at once keeping together all who are united, and drawing in those who are as yet separated.

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^[1] Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

^[2] Jas. 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

^[3] Englishman’s Concordance

^[4] Ezek. 12:25 For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.

Ezek. 12:28 Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.

Isa. 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Num. 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Josh. 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

I Kgs. 8:56 Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Rom. 4:20–21 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; ²¹And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

^[5] Jer. 14:14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer. 23:16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Ezek. 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

Ezek. 22:28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.

Jer. 5:30–31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; ³¹The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

^[6] I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

^[7] Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

II Cor. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

II Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

^[8] Gen. 3:4–6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

^[9] Gen. 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

^[10] II Cor. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

^[11] Mark 4:1–10 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. ²And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, ³Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: ⁴And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. ⁵And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: ⁶But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. ⁷And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. ⁸And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. ⁹And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

^[12] Matt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matt. 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Matt. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

^[13] Ps. 120:2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Ps. 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

I Pet. 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Ps. 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Prov. 6:16–19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Ps. 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

I Kings 22:19–27 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. ²⁰And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. ²¹And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. ²²And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. ²³Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. ²⁴But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? ²⁵And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. ²⁶And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; ²⁷And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

^[14] Ps. 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

^[15] Neh. 9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Ps. 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Ezek. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

^[16] John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

^[17] Eph. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

I Pet. 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Rev. 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Also see endnoteⁱ

^[18] Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 13:9–12 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. ¹⁰And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. ¹²Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

^[19] Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

^[20] John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

^[21] Jas. 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

^[22] John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

^[23] Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

II Cor. 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

I Thess. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Ps. 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Ps. 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

^[24] John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

^[25] II Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

^[26] Eph. 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

^[27] Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

^[28] John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

^[29] II Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

^[30] Ps. 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way

^[31] Mal. 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Jas. 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

^[32] II Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

^[33] Matt. 11:28–29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

^[34] Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

^[35] John 15:4–6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

^[36] John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

^[37] Rom. 12:4–5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

I Cor. 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

I Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

^[38] Matt. 22:37–40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Mark 12:29–31 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

^[39] John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

^[40] I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

^[41] John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 13:34–35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

^[42] I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Eph. 2:4–5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

^[43] Tit. 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ezek. 11:19–20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: ²⁰That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

II Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

^[44] I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

^[45] I Cor. 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.