New Testament Commentary - Ephesians 6

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
              CHAPTER 6

Children should honor their parents—Servants and masters judged by the same law—Saints should put on the whole armor of God.

 1 aCHILDREN, bobey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
 2 aHonour 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 afathers, bprovoke not your cchildren to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
 5 aServants, be obedient to them that are your bmasters 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 aservants of Christ, doing the bwill of God from the heart;
 7 With good will doing aservice, as to the Lord, and not to men:
 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he areceive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
 9 And, ye amasters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your bMaster also is in heaven; neither is there crespect of persons with him.
 10 Finally, my brethren, be astrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
 11 Put on the whole aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 12 For we awrestle not bagainst cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the drulers of the edarkness of this world, against spiritual fwickedness 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 agirt about with btruth, and having on the cbreastplate of drighteousness;
 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of apeace;
 16 Above all, taking the shield of afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery bdarts of the wicked.
 17 And take the helmet of asalvationa, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Godb:
 18 aPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all bperseverance 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 amystery of the gospel,
 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak aboldly, as I ought to speak.
 17a take the helmet of salvation Salvation or the Atonement of Christ is provided for all mankind but man must 'take' it upon himself. In place it does save man from his sins and without it man cannot be saved, his head will be crushed. It is not of a man's own doing, but of the doing of the grace and mercy of God.
 17b the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God The power of the gift of the Holy Ghost is that which connects the soul of man to heaven. By that power of communion man may act in accord to the will and direction of God being likened unto a 'sword' which cuts through the muddle directly to the truth of every matter and circumstance, showing and guiding the way which man may go in all things and thus sanctifying man unto God by its very presence in the hand of man.
 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, aTychicus, 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 asincerity. Amen.
¶ Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.