Ephesians 6
-The last chapter in Ephesians begins with a continuation of
instructions and exhortations for the family unit and to children in
particular. Paul reiterates the Torah’s first command with a promise in telling
children to obey their parents in the Lord. This is the primary command for
children in the Word of God. Their obedience to their parents will train them
up to fear and respect, in time, their Heavenly Father and come to know Him as
the proper authority and direction for their lives. The other side of the coin
is also explained. Fathers are to raise their children in the loving discipline
and instruction of the Lord, not provoking them to anger (Ephesians 6:1-4,
Hebrews 12:5-15). *Application* If we want things to go well for us and have a
long life in the land God has given to us we must live by these principles. It
is not easy in the world we live in to discipline our children with loving
correction that is focused and productive. We live in an age of tolerance and extreme
license where obedience and a healthy fear of parents is becoming more and more
uncommon. We are now experiencing the repercussions of that philosophy in our
land with the violent and uncontrolled actions of our youth. As for you and
your family, you should serve the Lord your God (Joshua 24:15). Trust Him that
He will bless and reward your submission in these areas.
-Paul also gives imperatives for bondservants (slaves, in
our context employer/employee primarily) and masters. The emphasis for slaves is
on proper recognition of authority in a person’s given situation with obedience
from a sincere heart of service (Ephesians 6:5-7). The emphasis for masters is
on having proper respect for those under you without threatening (Ephesians
6:9). The author through the Spirit maintains that “whatever good anyone does,
this he will receive back from the Lord (Ephesians 6:8).” *Application* An
important biblical concept to remember here that Paul points out is God’s
impartiality (Ephesians 6:9b). It is critical for us to remember that God loves
each and every one of us the exact same. He loves the lost man in a jungle
tribe on the Amazon as much as He loves you. He loves the Japanese or Chinese
person who has no knowledge of the Lord and His truth as much as He loves you.
He loves the most hardened Islamic terrorist as much as He loves you. He loves
the most notorious and ruthless national leader as much as He loves you. He
loves the atheistic professor leading young people toward rejecting God as much
as He loves you. He loves the homeless man that is in utter and total despair
because of life circumstances as much as He loves you. God loves the whole
world and gave Himself for us all (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9). Internalize that
concept and resolve to go change the world with the message of deliverance in
Christ Jesus.
-Paul’s final admonition is a perfect climax of his
encouragement and challenge to the Ephesians and us as well. We are to be
strong in the Lord (not weak!) and in the strength of His might (Ephesians
6:10). We are to be equipped and fitted with the whole armor of God so that we
might be able to stand against the schemes and devices of the devil (Ephesians
6:11). Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the
authorities, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, and the
cosmic powers that rule this present worldly darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Because
of this fact, we are instructed to put on the full armor of God so that we
might be able to stand firm in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13). The pieces of the
armor are important to consider. The list includes the belt of truth, the
breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace in readiness,
the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which
is the Word of God (this is our only offensive weapon and how we can storm the
gates of hell, Ephesians 6:14-17, for a more detailed and excellent description
and explanation of this whole armor of God read Designed to be Like Him: Understanding God’s Plan for Fellowship,
Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity, by J. Dwight Pentecost, 1966, chapters
24-30). Paul challenges his readers and us to pray in the Spirit at all times
with all prayer and supplication keeping alert with all perseverance for all
the saints (Ephesians 6:18). He also implored them to pray for him that he
would have the Lord’s words given to him in the opening of his mouth to speak
boldly in his proclamation of the gospel of Christ and His mystery to which he
was an ambassador in chains (Ephesians 6:19-20). After some brief instructions
on further information coming, Paul bids them farewell with peace and love with
faith along with all grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:21-23).
Verses to Memorize-
Ephesians 6:10
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