One Year Journey Through the New Testament
Ephesians 6
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Children and Parents
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:1–4, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- As Paul came to the end of his ultimate work of theology, he continued the conversation concerning the practical aspects of living for Christ in this world.
- In this passage, he continued his treatment of family relationships. He instructed children to obey their parents, citing the commandment of Moses to honor one’s father and mother, the first commandment coupled with a promise.
- Unlike, the commandments from Exodus 20, though, this one calls parents to a pattern of behavior as well, instructing them not to exasperate or confuse children with inconsistent or unfair treatment. He called them to train up children in the ways of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
(Ephesians 6:5–9, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then moved to one more relationship, that of a slave to his or her master. While this is speaking of a practice that has been outlawed in many parts of the world, slavery, it is applicable to relationships of employees to employers, or any other relationship where one individual is subject to another’s commands or requirements.
- Paul was not condoning slavery here. Paul simply asked slaves (a different type of slavery than what was experienced in recent history, perhaps more akin to indentured service), to be obedient and serve their masters well.
- Slaves could achieve this by doing their work for their masters as if it was done unto the Lord, for His glory.
- He then instructed masters to stop threatening their slaves, and to remember that God is their Master in heaven.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:10–20, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul moved into a well-known, pivotal teaching about the armor of God. He suggested that Christian power should not come from any source other than the power of God.
- He then taught that that power comes from the proverbial spiritual armor that God provides. Christians should wear all the armor God makes available. The enemy is powerful, but with the armor of God, the Christian can be able to fight against him successfully. Our enemy is not physical, so we must fight him spiritually.
- Paul then described the armor. The girdle of truth guards the underbelly. The breastplate of righteousness guards the heart. The shoes of the gospel take us into the battle for souls. The shield of faith wards off the attacks of the enemy. The helmet of salvation guards the mind (the arena of spiritual warfare). Finally, Paul described the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. In this armor, the Christian must carry out the battle strategy, which is prayer.
A Gracious Greeting
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
(Ephesians 6:21–24, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- He finished the chapter and the book with a greeting, and with a promise that his brother Tychicus would visit Ephesus soon.
- He then offered a blessing of peace and love and grace.
- This book offers a truly summary statement of the salvation work of Christ and the call to holy living for the believer.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 