Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 4:15

"but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;" — Ephesians 4:15 (ASV)

But speaking the truth in love. The marginal reading is being sincere. The translation in the text is correct—literally, truthing in love—alhyeuontev. Two things should be noted here:

1. First, the truth is to be spoken—the simple, unvarnished truth. This is the way to avoid error and to preserve others from error. In opposition to all trickery, artifice, cunning, fraud, and deception, Christians are to speak the simple truth and nothing but the truth. Every statement they make should be unvarnished truth; every promise they make should be true; every representation they make of the sentiments of others should be simple truth. Truth is the representation of things as they are, and there is no virtue more valuable in a Christian than the love of simple truth.

2. Second, the truth should be spoken in love. There are other ways of speaking truth. It is sometimes spoken in a harsh, irritable, sour manner that does nothing but disgust and offend. When we state truth to others, it should be with love for their souls and with a sincere desire to do them good.

   When we admonish a brother for his faults, it should not be in a harsh and unfeeling manner, but in love. When a minister pronounces the awful truth of God about depravity, death, the judgment, and future woe, it should be in love. It should not be done in a harsh and repulsive manner; it should not be done as if he rejoiced that people were in danger of hell or would like to pass the final sentence; it should not be with indifference or in a tone of superiority.

   Likewise, if we go to convince someone who is in error, we should approach him in love. We should not dogmatize, denounce, or mete out anathemas, as such approaches only repel. He has done about half his work in convincing another of error who has first convinced him that he LOVES him; and if he does not do that, he may argue until the hour of his death and make no progress in convincing him.

May grow up into him. This means into Christ; that is, to the stature of a complete man in him.

Which is the head. (See Barnes on Ephesians 1:22; see Barnes on 1 Corinthians 11:3).