Ephesians 6

Paul provides clear guidance on how believers should interact in a Christian home (see also Colossians 3:18–4:1; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7). Love and respect should define all relationships among believers as a way to show their commitment to the Lord.

The relationship between parents and children should reflect their devotion to the Lord. Christian children should obey their parents, and Christian parents should discipline their children gently (see Colossians 3:20–21).

Children who honor and respect their parents also honor and respect God. This leads to blessings.

• Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath: Fathers can make their children angry by being harsh or unfair (see Colossians 3:21).

• bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord: Parents should teach their children discipline and lessons from the Lord so they learn a good way of living that pleases God. This discipline should be loving and gentle. It should not be excessive, so that children are not turned away from the Lord but are drawn to him (compare Hebrews 12:5–11).

Obeying human masters shows a Christian slave's service to Christ (see Colossians 3:22–23; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18–23).

• The relationship between slaves and masters (and similarly, between employees and employers) should be guided by their commitment to the Lord and their desire to support each other in Christ. Christian slaves should obey their masters, and Christian masters should treat their slaves kindly (see Colossians 3:22–4:1).

• Paul was not promoting slavery. Paul was teaching Christians how to live with it as a reality in that culture (for Paul’s views on slavery, see Philemon Book Introduction, "Meaning and Message").

as servants of Christ: Believers have been bought by Christ's sacrifice. Because of this, believers do not belong to themselves anymore (see 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 7:22; compare Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1). For Christian slaves, God's will is for them to honor him by serving their human masters faithfully and with entusiasm.

The Bible uses the image of a master to describe the Lord’s authority over believers. He will reward those who are faithful (see 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).

• do the same: Act with integrity and care for the well-being of others (see Colossians 4:1).

• Give up your use of threats: Christian masters will also answer to the same Master in heaven for their actions on earth. Pleasing God means treating their slaves humanely and kindly.

• there is no favoritism with Him: God judges everyone by the same standard (see Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25). God’s justice affirms the dignity of all people and calls for their freedom.

Paul's final message reminds believers about the devil's opposition. Paul urges believers to protect themselves with all of God's armor.

Put on the full armor of God: See Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5. Only with the Lord's protection can a believer resist all of the devil's plans (compare 1 Peter 5:8–9).

Believers should not see other people as their enemies. Instead, their opposition comes from spiritual evil in the unseen world. Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21–22).

God's armor helps believers resist the devil's attacks during times when evil seems strong, allowing them to stand firm.

the breastplate of righteousness: A breastplate is a piece of armor that covers the chest to protect the heart and other vital organs during battle. In the Bible, Paul uses this image to show how righteousness—being right with God and living in a right way—protects a believer’s heart and life from the attacks of the devil. This righteousness is either:

• the righteousness God gives to those who believe in Christ, or

• the righteous way of life that the Spirit of God creates in believers.

Each one suggests the presence of the other.

Paul uses the armor worn by Roman soldiers as a metaphor for the spiritual armor of believers. Most of this armor is for defense, not attack. Paul is not mainly focused on the exact use of each piece, but on the gifts God gives to protect his people. Trusting in Christ and knowing the Scriptures help believers stand firm against the devil’s attacks (compare James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9).

your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace: This means letting peace from the good news (the gospel) guide your life (see Romans 5:1).

• the shield of faith: Faith means trusting Christ as Savior or trusting God to meet needs during difficult times. Like a shield that protects a soldier from arrows, faith protects believers from fear, doubt, and the lies of the devil.

• all the flaming arrows: Paul uses a strong picture to describe how temptation to sin can come suddenly and powerfully (compare Matthew 6:13; 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12–15). In battle, arrows were sometimes dipped in pitch and set on fire before being shot. In the same way, the devil sends dangerous temptations, but faith in God can stop them.

• take the helmet of salvation: Just like a helmet protects a soldier’s head, the assurance of salvation protects a believer’s mind. It reminds believers that God has saved them and given them eternal life through faith in Christ.

• the sword of the Spirit: This is the word of God. It is like a weapon believers use to answer attacks, either by sharing the good news about Jesus, or by speaking or remembering what God has said in Scripture (compare Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12). A sword is a weapon with a long, sharp blade used in battle.

• Paul shows the difference between mental prayer and prayer in the Spirit. Prayer in the Spirit is prayer that is led by the Spirit of God living within believers. (see 1 Corinthians 14:15; Jude 1:20; compare Romans 8:26–27).

• every kind of prayer and petition: Believers should make prayer a part of daily life, turning all of life into prayer (see Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). This is not just for themselves, but for all believers everywhere.

• stay alert with all perseverance: The danger of the devil is constant.

• Paul's mission was to help non-Jews (Gentiles) understand they are now accepted by God and welcomed into God's church.

• the mystery of the gospel: See study notes on 1:8–10; 3:3.

• I am an ambassador in chains: Although writing as a prisoner (see 3:1; 4:1), Paul knew his role as God's ambassador was to continue speaking boldly for God (compare 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Paul ends this letter with personal words and a blessing that repeats the desires expressed at the beginning of the letter.

• Peace … love … faith … grace: These qualities are mentioned at the start of the letter (1:2, 15). Peace, love, faith, and grace are what Paul most desired for believers.

• to the brothers: Paul uses this term to refer to all members of the same family, both male and female.

• to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love: Another way of translating this is "be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ."