Ephesians 4:14

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἵνα
That
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#2
μηκέτι
no more
no further
#3
ὦμεν
we henceforth be
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
#4
νήπιοι
children
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
#5
κλυδωνιζόμενοι
tossed to and fro
to surge, i.e., (figuratively) to fluctuate
#6
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
περιφερόμενοι
carried about with
to convey around, i.e., transport hither and thither
#8
παντὶ
every
all, any, every, the whole
#9
ἀνέμῳ
wind
wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth)
#10
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
διδασκαλίας
of doctrine
instruction (the function or the information)
#12
ἐν
and cunning craftiness
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#13
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
κυβείᾳ
the sleight
gambling, i.e., (figuratively) artifice or fraud
#15
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
ἀνθρώπων
of men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#17
ἐν
and cunning craftiness
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
πανουργίᾳ
adroitness, i.e., (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry
#19
πρὸς
whereby
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#20
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
μεθοδείαν
they lie in wait
travelling over, i.e., travesty (trickery)
#22
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
πλάνης
to deceive
objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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