Ephesians 4:14-15
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The passage isn't just warning against bad ideas, but against the method behind them, describing false teachers as skilled "gamblers" (using the word that relates to dice-playing) and "schemers" who deliberately plan deception. This highlights that error often comes not from simple mistake, but from calculated, manipulative tactics designed to ensnare the unwary.
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining how Christ gave different spiritual gifts to the church to equip believers for ministry and to build them up. This process aims to mature them until they all reach unity in faith and knowledge of Jesus. Verse 14 then highlights what this maturity looks like by contrasting it with the instability of spiritual immaturity, where believers can be easily misled by false teachings and deceptive people.
Ever feel like you're being pulled in a dozen different directions by conflicting ideas? Paul uses a vivid picture to describe this spiritual instability.
Paul calls believers "children" (nēpioi) here, not in a sweet, endearing way, but to highlight their vulnerability. Like young children who can be easily swayed by every passing whim or scary story, immature believers are tossed about by every 'wind of doctrine.' This isn't just about being confused; it's about being unstable and lacking a firm grounding. The goal isn't to stay a 'child' forever, but to grow into spiritual maturity, where we can discern truth from falsehood.
It's not just random confusion that plagues the church; there are intentional forces at play designed to mislead. Paul pulls back the curtain on how deception works.
Paul doesn't just blame 'winds'; he points to the 'sleight of men' and 'cunning craftiness' used in 'deceitful schemes.' The original language paints a picture of game-playing, like dice players (kubeia) who manipulate the outcome for their own gain, and a calculated, systematic approach (methodeia) to spread error (planē). These aren't accidental errors; they are carefully crafted strategies to pull people away from the truth. This speaks to the deliberate nature of false teaching, which often disguises itself as legitimate doctrine.
If we're not meant to be tossed around, how are we supposed to stand firm? Paul connects this to the foundational gifts Christ gave the church.
Ask a follow-up
This verse is a warning, but it's situated within the context of God's provision for His church. In Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul explains that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers to equip believers. The 'children tossed to and fro' are those who haven't fully benefited from this divine equipping. The goal is maturity ('a mature man'), unity in faith, and accurate knowledge of Christ. The ministry gifts are the very means God uses to stabilize us against deceptive winds and build us up in truth, so we aren't easily misled by human schemes.
Understand the original words
nēpios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Refers to spiritual instability and a lack of firm grounding in truth, making one vulnerable to error and deception.
didaskalia · Greek Noun
Teaching or instruction; in a theological sense, it refers to the body of orthodox Christian belief that shapes the church's life.
alētheuō en agapē · Greek Verb phrase
The combination of truth (fact) and love (agape) as the essential demeanor and motivation for Christian interaction, reflecting the character of God.
kephalē · Greek Noun
Christ’s position of supreme authority and preeminence over the church and all creation.
This passage warns against being carried away by false teachings, just as Ephesians 4:14 cautions against being tossed by 'every wind of doctrine'.
James 1:6This verse describes someone asking in faith, without wavering, contrasting with the instability described in Ephesians 4:14 where believers are tossed about like waves.
1 Corinthians 14:20Paul explicitly tells believers not to be children in their understanding, echoing the 'no longer children' theme of Ephesians 4:14 and the immaturity that makes one susceptible to false teaching.
2 Peter 2:1-3This passage describes false prophets and teachers who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, similar to the 'cunning craftiness' and 'deceitful schemes' mentioned in Ephesians 4:14.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, highlighting the deceptive nature of those who would lead believers astray, as described in Ephesians 4:14.
vincentEphesians 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;"
Children (νήπιοι)See on 1 Corinthians 2:6; see on 1 Corinthians 3:1. As to the connection, Ephesians 4:13 states the ultimate goal of christian training; Ephesians 4:14 that which is pursued with a view to the attainment of that goal. Ephesians 4:14 is subordinate to Ephesians 4:13, as is…
bengelEphesians 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;"
Ephesians 4:14 . Μηκέτι ) that we may be not , as formerly and as yet.—νήπιοι, children ) Νήπιοι , children , are opposed to a man in the second degree, and to a young man in the first: à perfect man , who can no longer increase in stature, but yet in other respects becomes more perfect; a…
The passage isn't just warning against bad ideas, but against the method behind them, describing false teachers as skilled "gamblers" (using the word that relates to dice-playing) and "schemers" who deliberately plan deception. This highlights that error often comes not from simple mistake, but from calculated, manipulative tactics designed to ensnare the unwary.
Paul is explaining how Christ gave different spiritual gifts to the church to equip believers for ministry and to build them up. This process aims to mature them until they all reach unity in faith and knowledge of Jesus. Verse 14 then highlights what this maturity looks like by contrasting it with the instability of spiritual immaturity, where believers can be easily misled by false teachings and deceptive people.
Paul is explaining how Christ gave different spiritual gifts to the church to equip believers for ministry and to build them up. This process aims to mature them until they all reach unity in faith and knowledge of Jesus. Verse 14 then highlights what this maturity looks like by contrasting it with the instability of spiritual immaturity, where believers can be easily misled by false teachings and deceptive people.
"so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into…" — The passage isn't just warning against bad ideas, but against the method behind them, describing false teachers as skilled "gamblers" (using the word that relates to dice-playing) and "schemers" wh…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
