14. Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts
stated negatively, as in
Eph 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
(Heb 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
(Eph 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
Eph 6:11);
referring to his concealed mode of acting.
JFB.
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