⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.^(A)

¹¹ So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^{(E) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(F) may be built up^{(G) 13} until we all reach unity^(H) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(I) and become mature,^(J) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(K)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(L) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(M) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(N) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(O) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(P) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(Q) and builds itself up^(R) in love,^(S) as each part does its work.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^(A)

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(B) rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(C) of the Deity lives in bodily form,

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^(A) stay there in Ephesus^(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines^(C) any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths^(D) and endless genealogies.^(E) Such things promote controversial speculations^(F) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(G) and a good conscience^(H) and a sincere faith.^{(I) 6} Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers^(J) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.^(K)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^(A)

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(A) 15} and how from infancy^(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(C) which are able to make you wise^(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(E) and is useful for teaching,^(F) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(G) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](H) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(I)

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(A) 15} and how from infancy^(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(C) which are able to make you wise^(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(E) and is useful for teaching,^(F) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(G) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](H) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(I)