As the tree strikes its roots down into the soil for nourishment and moisture, so the growing child of God reaches up to Christ for his vitality and sustenance. Union with Christ is at once the cause and the result of growth. He is the head of each man as well as head of the church (1 Cor. 11:3).
In love.
Love and the truth are inseparable. Truth must be not only accurate in idea but loving in manner (cf. Gal. 4:16). Love, however, does not imply the condoning of sin. None of the apostles was more specific in his denunciation of evil-doers than was Paul, but love was the inner state of his heart while he spoke the truth; love demanded that the truth be spoken (see Eph. 3:17-19).
Speaking the truth.
The Greek includes the idea of being true as well as speaking the truth, with the implication of following the truth rather than the deceptive doctrines against which Paul has been warning. The simple spirit of sincerity and truthfulness is an effective guard against deceptive winds of doctrine (see John 3:21; 8:44; 18:37; 1 John 1:8; 2 John 4).