The Summation of All Things in Christ

Studies in Ephesians with a Local Church Emphasis

Lesson 90 : That We Be No More Children  (4:14)

Having expressed the one single goal positively, Paul now gives the purpose of that goal negatively: ‘so that, in order that’  –  Talking about immature believers, not unbelievers  –  The plural ‘infants’ describes us all at one time  –  Although all believers go through a stage of infancy, ‘Christian immaturity’ is an unacceptable state  –  self-centered individualism contrasts with the unity Paul is teaching  –  The difference between being childlike and being childish  –  Sea and storm metaphors  –  tossed by every kind and degree of wind coming from all directions  –  false teachings from both without and within the churches  –  was this teaching ethical rather than doctrinal?  –  dice playing metaphor  –  the devil did not make them do it!  –  men’s teachings contrasted with divine teaching  –  this is intentional deception  –  while Paul recognizes the human agency and responsibility in deception, he also recognizes the spiritual side of evil