Reflections on Ephesians 6

Ephesians 06 (Contemporary English Version)


1. Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says,
2. "Obey your father and your mother,
3. and you will have a long and happy life."
4. Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.
5. Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them as you are to Christ.
6. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do.
7. Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people.
8. You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.
9. Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same respect. Don't threaten them. They have the same Master in heaven that you do, and he doesn't have any favorites.
10. Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.
11. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks.
12. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
13. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
14. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor.
15. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.
16. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.
18. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.
19. Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news.
20. I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
21. I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. That's why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing, and he will cheer you up.
22. (SEE 6:21)
23. I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower!
24. May God be kind to everyone who keeps on loving our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
    

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    In the previous chapter Paul began an example of Christians walking in love through mutual submission in their relationships. The first relationship he discussed in that chapter was that of husband and wife. This chapter discusses two other relationships: parent and child and master and slave.
    
    Mutual submission in these relationships is based, first of all, on one's service to the Lord. Therefore, children are to obey their parents "in the Lord." Furthermore, it is right for them to do so and it is a commandment with promise. The promise is "that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land." (6:3) Paul's word to parents is directed specifically to fathers who had the legal responsibility in his day with the training of the children. Fathers were not to provoke their children to anger and to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (6:4) Paul is addressing Christians with instructions that could only apply to Christians. Those who are not already in service to the Lord, and thus believers, would not be motivated by mutual submission to another as service to the Lord.
    
    As for the third relationship, that of master and slave, Paul's instruction was again for mutual submission. Slaves were to obey their masters and masters were to "treat them in the same way," that is with respect, recognizing that they both had the same Master who is in heaven. Master in heaven will act justly with both slave and master, rewarding where reward is due. Both slave and master were to treat the other with respect out of service to Christ. Though many are critical of Paul for not denouncing slavery, he served slaves better by giving instructions that would improve their lot, both in the present and the future. In the present their lives would be peaceful and they would be treated well, and in the future they would have the Lord's reward. Denouncing slavery would only incite them to rebellion against a system that would not be changed in their lifetime. Paul's mission was primarily to change hearts through the gospel which would eventually have its impact on culture.
    
    Paul then gave instructions for Christian perseverance. To persevere, the Christian needs "the full armor of God" which will enable him to "stand against the tactics of the Devil." (6:11) At issue is more than good intentions or self-discipline or personal effort because the "battle is not against flesh and blood." (6:12) The Christian is up against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens" (6:12) which takes the matter of perseverence beyond the abilities of the individual in his own effort. The armor of God includes __ pieces of defensive gear and one offensive piece. For defensive purposes, the Christian needs the belt of truth, the armor of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. For offensive purposes he needs the "sword of the Spirit, which is God's word." (6:17) All of this should be enfolded in "pray at all times in the Spirit." (6:18)