Last updated on February 23rd, 2019 at 09:02 am

Commentary: As we move to chapter 6 of Ephesians, we continue from chapter 5 with how we, as Christians, should interact with others. This starts with our children and then moves to our slaves/masters and/or employees/bosses. Most of the last half of chapter 6, starting at verse 10, tells us how to fight off the devil using the Whole or Full Amor of God referred to, in part, in Isaiah 59. It then finishes up with Paul asking for their prayers and giving final greetings.

Ephesians 6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Since children are asked to obey, someone has to teach them to obey. That would be their parents who should do it out of love and to be faithful to carry out God’s command.

1. If the parents are asking for obedience that is not “in the Lord”, what should the child do?
2. What do you think the “promise” that follows the command means?
3. Did you obey your parents? If so, how has God fulfilled that promise for you?

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The KJV uses the terminology, “Do not provoke your children to wrath,” rather than “exasperate.” Both give me a word picture, the KJV a little harsher than the NIV. Similarly, the KJV’s, “bring them up in the nurture and Admonition of the Lord gives me a different picture than to simply train them, rather, it says to guide them with love.

1. Did any of you ever get provoked to wrath by your parents? If so, how has that style of parenting affected you or your style of parenting your own children?
2. Who was the disciplinarian in your home as you were growing up? Who is the disciplinarian in your home now?

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

While we don’t have slaves today, these verses have a lot to say to us about our attitude toward our bosses.

1. What does it say about attitude?
2. Why should we do it as if we are serving the Lord? Isn’t it about more than just the reward?

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Perhaps there is a strong message here about how to treat your employees and build a team.

1. How will following Paul’s advice here help you in the workplace?

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

These two verses go together, for to do the second without the first will still lose the battle against evil.

1. What connotation does “finally” have here? Is in the last thing you do or is it the culmination of what you have learned and who you have become in God?
2. How do you suppose we should differentiate the “armor of God” from a soldier’s armor?

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Again, the KJV adds some poetic color to this passage. “… but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world…” Just reading it makes me afraid of these forces. These beings/forces – note the plural – seem to be alive and well today.
First Peter 5:8 says, ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”

1. Should we be afraid? I think so.
2. How do we come out against these dark powers without every piece of God’s armor?
   Recall that in Ephesians 1:20-21 we are given the assurance that Jesus us far above the principalities and powers

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Here we are with a “therefore” and a repetition of what we are to do, “Put on the full armor of God.”
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1. Consider all the parts of the full armor. Can you give some examples of how any piece, in particular, of this armor has helped you stand against the enemy this last week?

I can think of a personal example, just today (Thursday). If I had armored myself earlier with today’s devotional in Billy Graham’s “Hope for Each Day”, (I wasn’t armed with the Sword of the Spirit) I could have avoided an outburst that set me back on my heels.

1. What piece of the armor do you need to become more familiar or proficient with?
2. What part of the body does each part of the armor protect, and how important, relatively, do you believe each piece of the full armor of God is?
3. Three times, it says we are to “stand,” “stand firm” or “stand against” (evil). Is this one command that is repeated because it is very important or are the subtle differences important?

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

1. Why do you suppose that Paul says pray … on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and… for all the Lord’s people?
2. What is Paul’s priority in his prayer request of the Ephesians?
3. Where should our prayer priorities be?

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Again, even in the face of continuing imprisonment, discomfort, and even torture, Paul focuses on encouraging the believers at Ephesus.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

What are the takeaways from Ephesians 6? They are many and varied.

• When young, obey your parents and whether young or old, put them in a place of respect, thankfulness and reverence in your heart.
• One of our most important obligations as a parent is to teach our children to obey – especially God’s word and to give important life lessons to our children so they can pass salvation to the next generation.
• At work, do everything you do as unto the Lord. I believe that means with diligence and commitment whether you like it or not. At the same time, treat your bosses and employees with respect accorded to them.
• Know the WORD and be strong in your faith. It will be tested. It is our responsibility to withstand the tests.
• Be familiar with all parts of the full armor of God and put it on; every piece of it. You will need it to withstand all the wiles (one of my favorite words) of the devil. Enemies of all sorts surround us.
• Praying is an important way of connecting to God and taking to focus off self and on to others in need. Pray without ceasing!