1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, [and] how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Overview of Ephesians Chapter 6
Ephesians Chapter 6 serves as a concluding chapter in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It addresses various aspects of Christian living, including relationships within the family, the importance of spiritual warfare, and the necessity of putting on the armor of God. This chapter emphasizes the practical application of faith in everyday life and the strength derived from God to face challenges.
Key Themes
- Family Relationships
- Obedience and Authority
- Spiritual Warfare
- The Armor of God
Family Relationships
The chapter opens with specific instructions regarding family dynamics, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of children and parents.
- Children’s Obedience: Children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord, which is emphasized as a commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:1-3).
- Parental Responsibility: Fathers are cautioned against provoking their children to anger and are encouraged to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
Obedience and Authority
Paul extends the discussion of authority beyond the family unit to include relationships between servants and masters, reflecting the social structure of the time.
- Servants’ Attitude: Servants are instructed to obey their earthly masters with sincerity, as if serving Christ (Ephesians 6:5-8).
- Masters’ Conduct: Masters are reminded to treat their servants justly and fairly, recognizing that they too have a Master in heaven (Ephesians 6:9).
Spiritual Warfare
Paul shifts focus to the spiritual realm, warning believers about the reality of spiritual battles they face.
- Nature of the Battle: The struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).
- Call to Strength: Believers are encouraged to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).
The Armor of God
One of the most well-known passages in Ephesians is the description of the armor of God, which Paul uses as a metaphor for spiritual readiness.
- Belt of Truth: Represents the importance of truth in a believer’s life (Ephesians 6:14).
- Brestplate of Righteousness: Symbolizes the protection that comes from living a righteous life (Ephesians 6:14).
- Footwear of the Gospel: Encourages readiness to spread the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).
- Shield of Faith: Used to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16).
- Helmet of Salvation: Protects the mind and reinforces the assurance of salvation (Ephesians 6:17).
- Sword of the Spirit: Represents the Word of God, which is essential for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17).
Conclusion and Call to Prayer
The chapter concludes with a call to prayer, emphasizing the need for vigilance and perseverance in prayer for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). Paul also requests prayers for himself, that he may boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Significance of Ephesians Chapter 6
Ephesians Chapter 6 encapsulates the essence of Christian conduct in various relationships and the necessity of spiritual preparedness. It serves as a reminder that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle and must equip themselves with the tools provided by God to stand firm against adversity.
