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;
Study Note
Study Note
The purpose of Christ's gifted ministers — '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' — frames theological maturity as stability against doctrinal instability. The metaphor of children tossed by waves contrasts with the 'mature man' measured by 'the stature of the fullness of Christ' (verse 13), presenting doctrinal rootedness as part of the corporate growth of the body of Christ rather than individual achievement. The phrase 'human cunning, craftiness in deceitful schemes' (kubeia, panourgia, methodeia tes planes) names the social dynamic of deliberate theological manipulation rather than innocent error. The verse has grounded Christian catechesis and theological education as necessary defenses against the specific vulnerability of spiritual immaturity to doctrinal manipulation.
Other Translations
that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
that we may no more be babes, tossed and borne about by every wind of the teaching, in the sleight of men, in craftiness, unto the artifice of leading astray,
So that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the deceits of error;
Cross References
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, …
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone …
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would …
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived …
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do …
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and …
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it …
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.