Ephesians Chapter 6
Ephesians 6:1-9 Order in Relationships Continued....
Verse 1 - 4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Verse 5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Verse 5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
How will our children learn obedience?
Discipline set aside, children learn from what is modeled for them. As parents, we must first understand the significance of Ephesians 5: 15-21 that calls for careful (purposeful living) and filled with the Spirit. When we adjust our understanding so that we submit to the Spirit daily (minute by minute as needed), our view of others will drastically change. Only then will be able to model for children what it looks like to consider the interest of others before our selves. This is not modeling weakness but strength. What is the importance of Oder in our family and work life? As pointed out in the prior chapter, an orderly life is a greater witness for Christianity than being at church on Sunday morning because unbelievers don't come to church --- but they see you in your marriage, the way you treat your family and how you are at work. Christ transcends divisions in all people when He is our focus and purpose for living. We are to regard all that we do, even our work, as an act of worship or service to God! Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:1-12 |
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Its is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 3:15 - 4:1 Love In Action |
Ephesians 6:10-24 Final Instructions, Be strong in the Lord and His might power
Verse 10 - 12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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.
"Finally"....that's a strong concluding statement. What kind of instructions is Paul concluding?
Following Paul's prayer in Chapter 3, he begins giving instructions on how we are to live as followers of Christ. We are to live in unity. We are to build one another up using the gift and calling purposed to us by "grace which was apportioned by Christ" (4:7). We are to no longer live like unbelievers in our "old way of life" and in pursuit of worldly ambitions and desires for the purpose of pleasing our selves. We are to be imitators of God and our lives are to be a "fragrant offering" to God. We are to be "careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity", looking for what pleases God and being filled with the Holy Spirit. We are called to then submit to one another and were provided an example of orderly living in our churches, family and work life. And then "finally" we are told to be "strong in the Lord and in His mighty power". How do we do this? By putting on the full armor of God! While this provides a powerful mental imagery it is not intended to make us muster up our strength to make us feel more powerful. It is meant to instruct us on how we are to protect ourselves by being "strong in the Lord" so that we can take a stand against the devil's schemes. |
This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6
Many kings of Israel had determined to stand in their own strength and ignored the instructions to repent and turn their hearts back to God. Despite all their efforts, they were crushed and conquered by their enemies and the people exiled. Once they were permitted to return to their land, the exiles were weak, harassed by their enemies, tired, discouraged and poor. But they had God on their side. As we live for God, we need to be determined not to trust in our own strength or abilities. Instead, depend on God and work in the power of His Spirit! Before David conquered Goliath, he stood on this promise: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:47 |
Verse 13- 18 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.
It is significant that although he was in prison when he recorded this prayer, he does not mention his need for deliverance. When he finally does get around to asking prayer for himself (6:19-20), he asks them to pray that he will be bold in making the gospel known as he should. I wouldn’t have thought that Paul needed prayer for boldness, but he did!
Ephesians 6:16 speaks of the flaming arrows sent by the wicked one (Satan). This may simply refer, however, to the varied external temptations and testings by which he seeks to control or influence our minds through what we see, read, and hear. Due to his great power and cunning, however, it could possibly go beyond this.
https://bible.org/question/can-satan-put-thoughts-our-minds-can-be-used-tempt-us-sin
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Ephesians 6:16 speaks of the flaming arrows sent by the wicked one (Satan). This may simply refer, however, to the varied external temptations and testings by which he seeks to control or influence our minds through what we see, read, and hear. Due to his great power and cunning, however, it could possibly go beyond this.
https://bible.org/question/can-satan-put-thoughts-our-minds-can-be-used-tempt-us-sin
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.