So much for the general construction of the period. As to its particular words and phrases, we must observe:--
(1) The "perfect [full-grown] man" of verse 13 is the _individual_, not the generic man, not "the one [collective] new man" of chapter ii. 15. The Greek words for _man_ in these two places differ.[105] The apostle proposes to the Christian ministry the end that he was himself pursuing, viz., to "present _every man_ perfect in Christ."[106]
(2) "_Sleight_ of men" (A.V. and R.V.) does not seem to us to express the precise meaning of the word so translated in verse 14. _Kubeia_ (from _kubos_, a cube, or die) occurs only here in the New Testament; in classical Greek it appears in its literal sense of _dice-play_, _gambling_. The interpreters have drawn from this the idea of _trickery_, _cheating_--the common accompaniment of gambling. But the kindred verb (_to play dice_, _to gamble_) has another well-established use in Greek, namely, _to hazard_: this supplies for St Paul's noun the signification of _sport_ or _hazarding_, preferred by Beza among the older expositors and by von Soden amongst the newest. _In the sport of men_, says von Soden: "conduct wanting in every kind of earnestness and clear purpose. These men _play_ with religion, and with the welfare of Christian souls." This metaphor accords admirably with that of the restless waves and uncertain winds[107] just preceding it; while it leads fittingly to the further qualification "in craftiness," which is almost an idle synonym after "sleight."
(3) Another rare word is found in this verse, not very precisely rendered as "wiles"--a translation suiting it better in chapter vi. 11. Here the noun is singular in number: _methodeia_. It signifies _methodizing_, _reducing to a plan_; and then, in a bad sense, _scheming_, _plotting_. "Error" is thus personified: it "schemes," just as in 2 Thessalonians ii. 7 it "works." Amid the restless speculations and the unscrupulous perversions of the gospel now disturbing the infant faith of the Asian Churches, the apostle saw the outline of a great system of error shaping itself. There was a method in this madness. _Unto the scheme of error_--into the meshes of its net--those were being driven who yielded to the prevailing tendencies of speculative thought. With all its cross currents and capricious movements, it was bearing steadily in one direction. Reckless pilots steered ignorant souls this way and that over the wind-swept seas of religious doubt; but they brought them at last to the same rocks and quicksands.