Ephesians 6
Summary for Eph 6:1-4: 6:1-4 a The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21 b).Summary for Eph 6:2-3: 6:2-3 c Children who honor and respect their parents also honor and respect God himself, and blessings follow.
6:4 d Fathers can often provoke their children to anger by being harsh or unjust (see Col 3:21 e). Parents should give their children the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (or the discipline and instruction about the Lord) so that they will learn a way of living that is good and pleases God. Such discipline is not to be excessive, but loving and gentle, so that children are not turned from the Lord but are drawn to him (cp. Heb 12:5-11 f).
Summary for Eph 6:5-9: 6:5-9 g The relationship between slaves and masters (and, by analogy, between employees and employers) is to be shaped by their commitment to the Lord and their desire to build one another up in Christ. Christian slaves are to obey their masters, and Christian masters are to treat their slaves kindly (see Col 3:22–4:1 h).
• Paul was not promoting slavery but teaching Christians how to live in it as a fact of life in that culture (for Paul’s treatment of slavery, see Philemon Book Introduction, “Meaning and Message”). 6:5 i Obedient service to earthly masters expresses a Christian slave’s service to Christ (see Col 3:22-23 j; 1 Tim 6:1-2 k; Titus 2:9-10 l; 1 Pet 2:18-23 m).
Summary for Eph 6:6-7: 6:6-7 n As slaves of Christ: As those who have been bought by the blood of Christ, believers no longer belong to themselves (see 1 Cor 6:19-20 o; 7:22 p; cp. Rom 1:1 q; Gal 1:10 r; Phil 1:1 s). For Christian slaves, the will of God is that they honor him by serving their human masters faithfully and with enthusiasm.
6:8 t The master of all believers is the Lord, and he will reward those who are faithful (see 1 Cor 3:12-15 u).
6:9 v in the same way: That is, with integrity and concern for their welfare (see Col 4:1 w).
• Don’t threaten them: Christian masters, too, will be held accountable by the same Master in heaven for their lives on earth. Pleasing him requires treating their slaves humanely and kindly.
• he has no favorites: God judges all people by the same standard (see Deut 10:17 x; Acts 10:34 y; Rom 2:11 z; Col 3:25 aa).
Summary for Eph 6:10-20: 6:10-20 ab Paul’s final word is to remind the believers of the devil’s opposition and urge them to protect themselves with all of God’s armor.
6:11 ac Put on all of God’s armor: See Rom 13:12 ad; 2 Cor 10:4-5 ae. It is only by the Lord’s protection that a believer can stand firm against all strategies of the devil (cp. 1 Pet 5:8-9 af).
6:12 ag Believers should not consider human beings to be their enemies. Instead, the opposition they face comes from the unseen world of spiritual evil, and Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21-22 ah).
6:13 ai God’s armor gives believers the ability to resist the attacks of the devil in the time of evil—when evil seems to prevail—and to keep standing firm.
Summary for Eph 6:14-17: 6:14-17 aj Paul uses the physical armor worn by Roman soldiers as imagery for spiritual armor used by believers. Most of this equipment is to defend, not to attack. Paul’s focus is not on the precise functions of each piece but on God’s gifts. Grounding in Christ and Scripture provides protection and ability to stand your ground (cp. Jas 4:7 ak; 1 Pet 5:8-9 al). 6:14 am God’s righteousness: Either the righteousness God credits to those who believe in Christ, or the righteous way of life brought about by the transforming work of the Spirit of God in believers’ lives. The one implies the other.
6:15 an For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News: In this context, the focus is on letting one’s life be governed by the peace that the Good News gives (see Rom 5:1 ao).
6:16 ap Faith is trust in Christ as Savior or trust in God to meet one’s needs in evil times.
• fiery arrows: Paul graphically pictures the nature of temptation to sin (cp. Matt 6:13 aq; 26:41 ar; 1 Cor 10:13 as; Jas 1:12-15 at). Arrows were sometimes dipped in pitch and ignited before being shot.
6:17 au Put on salvation as your helmet: Protect the mind with the assurance that God has indeed saved and given eternal life to those who believe in Christ.
• The sword of the Spirit pictures using the word of God to respond to an attack, either with the Good News or with the spoken or written word of God more generally (cp. Jer 23:29 av; Heb 4:12 aw).
6:18 ax Paul contrasts purely mental prayer with prayer in the Spirit, prayer that arises from the Spirit of God within (see 1 Cor 14:15 ay; Jude 1:20 az; cp. Rom 8:26-27 ba).
• at all times and on every occasion: Believers are to make prayer a way of life and turn the whole of life into prayer (see Phil 4:6-7 bb; 1 Thes 5:17 bc)—not simply for themselves, but for all believers everywhere.
• Stay alert and be persistent: Because the danger of the devil is constant.
Summary for Eph 6:19-20: 6:19-20 bd Paul’s missionary calling was primarily to help Gentiles realize that they are now accepted by God and welcomed into his church.
• mysterious plan: See study notes on 1:8-10; 3:3.
• I am in chains now: Though writing as a prisoner (see 3:1 be; 4:1 bf), Paul knew that his calling as God’s ambassador (cp. 2 Cor 5:20 bg) was to keep on speaking boldly for him.
Summary for Eph 6:21-24: 6:21-24 bh Paul closes with some personal words and a benediction that repeats the desires expressed at the beginning of the letter.
Summary for Eph 6:23-24: 6:23-24 bi Peace ... love ... faithfulness ... grace: These qualities, highlighted at the beginning of the letter (1:2 bj, 15 bk), are what Paul most desired for believers.
• dear brothers and sisters: Literally brothers. Paul uses this generic term to refer to members of the same family, both male and female.
• be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ: Or be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ eternally.
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