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)
All verses
Ephesians 4:15
What does Ephesians 4:15 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Ephesians 4:15
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes that "speaking the truth" isn't just about being factual, but actively "truthing" – living and embodying truth. This active "truthing" is meant to be done "in love," highlighting that genuine spiritual growth into Christ requires both honesty and compassion, not just intellectual assent.
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 urging the Ephesians to stop being like tossed-about children, easily swayed by false teachings and manipulative people. Instead, he wants them to mature in their faith, with everyone playing their part to build up the whole church. This means speaking the truth with genuine affection, so that the whole body of Christ can mature and grow up in every way, with Christ himself as its head.
Ever felt like someone was being 'brutally honest' but it just hurt? This verse shows us why truth needs a partner.
Paul contrasts the danger of being 'tossed here and there by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine' (v. 14) with a positive way forward. He doesn't just say 'speak the truth,' but 'speaking the truth in love.' This isn't just about being factually correct.
We're called to mature in our faith. But what does that 'growing up' actually look like, and how is it connected to truth and love?
The ultimate goal of speaking truth in love is spiritual maturity – 'to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.' This growth is directional and relational.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
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 speaks about growing in the knowledge of God, mirroring Ephesians 4:15's call to 'grow up in every way into him who is the head.' Both emphasize a progressive, Christ-centered development.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7While Ephesians 4:15 links speaking truth with love, 1 Corinthians 13 defines the characteristics of love itself, showing how love is the essential context for truth to be spoken effectively and for spiritual growth to occur.
Proverbs 3:3This verse encourages steadfast love and faithfulness, connecting them with truth. Ephesians 4:15 echoes this by uniting the speaking of truth with love, presenting them as inseparable virtues in Christian maturity.
John 13:34-35Jesus commands his followers to love one another, stating this love will be their identifying mark. Ephesians 4:15 highlights love as the crucial element for speaking truth and growing together as Christ's body.
Galatians 4:19Paul expresses his spiritual labor pains until Christ is formed in the Galatians. This powerfully illustrates the 'growing up' described in Ephesians 4:15, emphasizing the intense process of maturing into Christ-likeness.
barnesEphesians 4:15: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
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, an…
vincentEphesians 4:15: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
Speaking the truth (ἀληθεύοντες)Only here and Galatians 4:16. In classical Greek it means to be true, to arrive at truth, and to speak truth. Here the idea is rather that of being or walking in truth. Rev., in margin, dealing truly.In loveSome connect with grow up. The parallel construction, tossed and carried about in the sleight, in craftiness, speaking truth in love, favors…
The verse emphasizes that "speaking the truth" isn't just about being factual, but actively "truthing" – living and embodying truth. This active "truthing" is meant to be done "in love," highlighting that genuine spiritual growth into Christ requires both honesty and compassion, not just intellectual assent.
Paul is urging the Ephesians to stop being like tossed-about children, easily swayed by false teachings and manipulative people. Instead, he wants them to mature in their faith, with everyone playing their part to build up the whole church. This means speaking the truth with genuine affection, so that the whole body of Christ can mature and grow up in every way, with Christ himself as its head.
Paul is urging the Ephesians to stop being like tossed-about children, easily swayed by false teachings and manipulative people. Instead, he wants them to mature in their faith, with everyone playing their part to build up the whole church. This means speaking the truth with genuine affection, so that the whole body of Christ can mature and grow up in every way, with Christ himself as its head.
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ," — The verse emphasizes that "speaking the truth" isn't just about being factual, but actively "truthing" – living and embodying truth. This active "truthing" is meant to be done "in love," highlighting…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026