INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING CHILDREN AND BONDSERVANTS (6:1-9). ‘Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.' Children are to obey their parents ‘i... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And you fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. But nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.' The Christian father will seek to be scrupulously fair and will not deliberately do things which will unnecessarily rile his children. He will consider their point of view and co... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Bondservants be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling (with greatest care), in singleness of your heart, as to Christ. Not in the way of eyeservice as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, doing service wi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Knowing that whatever good thing each one does he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.' When our work is done properly as to the Lord, it is the Lord who will finally reward us, on top of anything we receive in wages or in gratitude. Note that Paul specifically ap... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And you masters, do the same things to them, and forebear threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven and there is no respect of persons with him.' The bosses and masters are also to remember that they have a Master in heaven to whom they are accountable. They are merely His... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Finally, be made powerful in the Lord and in the strength of his might.' Our only hope for the future and our only means of victory against an implacable enemy is to be ‘made powerful in the Lord', to enjoy and experience the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His mighty strength within us b... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ARMOUR OF GOD AND THE BATTLE THAT LIES AHEAD (6:10-20). Having given general teaching Paul now closes the letter with a reminder that we are in a spiritual battle and need to take the proper precautions. The letter opened with a description of God's eternal action in redeeming His own, all brou... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly pl... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Because of this take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.' Such foes demonstrate the importance of being clothed in the armour of God, so we must ensure that we put it on. Indeed we have the responsibility of putting it on, a... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Stand therefore having your loins girded about with truth.' The first essential piece of the armour, which holds all together, and keeps firm for battle, is the belt. And the Christian's belt is truth. Thus Paul tells us that we must receive the word of truth (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:21), we mu... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And having shod your feet with the preparation (or readiness or equipment) of the Gospel of peace.' In Ephesians peace refers to peace with God (Ephesians 2:13 compare Colossians 1:20), ‘peace from God' (Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 6:23), and the resulting peace between Christians (Ephesians 2:14; Eph... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Withal taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the wicked one.' Once we are founded in truth, clothed in imputed righteousness and revealing true righteousness, and shod with the good news of peace, we have to learn to exercise faith, using the sh... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And receive the helmet of salvation.' In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 the helmet is ‘the hope of salvation.' Here it is expanded to include all aspects of salvation. Confidence in what Christ as Saviour has done, and is doing, and will do on our behalf, will protect the Christian's mind from all the Enemy'... [ Continue Reading ]
‘With all prayer and supplication at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains... [ Continue Reading ]
CLOSING WORDS (6:21-24). ‘But that you also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you, whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.' Tychicus i... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' ‘Peace' was a regular greeting in Biblical times and denoted a desire for the well being of the recipient. But with regard to God it has a special significance. As light is to darkness, so peace is to evi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility (immortality).' Grace lies at the root of all. It is the undeserved, unmerited, active love of God reaching out to His own. And it is the portion of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ totally and unfailingly.... [ Continue Reading ]