{11} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

(11) By earnest affection of the truth and love, we grow up into Christ: for he (being effectual by the ministry of his word, which as the vital Spirit makes alive the whole body in such a way that it nourishes all the limbs of it according to the measure and proportion of each one) quickens and cherishes his Church, which consists of various functions, as of various members, and preserves the need of every one. And from this it follows that neither this body can live without Christ, neither can any man grow up spiritually, who separates himself from the other members.

People's New Testament

4:15 Speaking the truth in love. Truth is never to give way to false doctrine, but it must be spoken in love. Some cling to the truth tenaciously, but forget to speak it in love.

Grow up into him in all things. This continues the characteristics of those who are no longer children (Eph 4:14). In all their growth there should be a growth of Christ's traits, a growth into his likeness.

Wesley's Notes

4:15 Into him - Into his image and Spirit, and into a full union with him.

King James Translators' Notes

speaking...: or, being sincere

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. speaking the truth-Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14).

in love-"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, 24).

grow up-from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead.

into him-so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him.

the head-(Eph 1:22).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:7-16 Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.