Eph 4:14 | JFB | STEP | 14. Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in it is stated positively. tossed to and fro-- inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. So the Greek. Compare . carried about-- with every wind from without. doctrine-- "teaching." The various teachings are the "winds" which keep them tossed on a sea of doubts ( ; compare ). 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 ( ). 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 ); referring to his concealed mode of acting.

‏ Ephesians 4:14

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.