_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:1. CHILDREN, OBEY.—Until the days of discretion arrive this is the grace of childhood. If through obedience the child errs, the responsibility of that is with those who commanded. It is only a “surrendered soul” that can sing: “I would be treated as a c... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:5. SERVANTS, BE OBEDIENT.—R.V. margin, “bond-servants.” There was One who had “become obedient even unto death,” having taken “the form of a bond-servant” (Philippians 2:7). WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING.—“With that zeal which is ever keenly apprehensive of no... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:10. BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.—In Ephesians 1:19 the phrase “power of His might” is reversed. See note there. Ephesians 6:11. THE WHOLE ARMOUR.—“The panoply.” “A complete suit of armour.” THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.—A craftily des... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:13. IN THE EVIL DAY.—Compare Ephesians 5:16. A day of great peril. AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND.—“When the hurly-burly’s done” to find oneself unvanquished. Ephesians 6:14. STAND THEREFORE.—The words ring short and sharp as a bugle-call. LOINS GIRT ABOU... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:18. PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT.—Here we have the recognition of a directing Superior. The true soldier fights under the direction of his ἀρχηγός. The “sounds of strife” are dying away in this verse. Ephesians 6:20. AN... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:21. TYCHICUS, A BELOVED BROTHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER.—If all servants were “brethren” first, the troubles of our modern commercial life would be few. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Ephesians 6:21_ A Trusted Messenger— I. COMMENDED FOR HIS ACKNOWL... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 6:23. PEACE, LOVE, AND FAITH.—A worthy triad, and the greatest of _these_ is love. Ephesians 6:24. GRACE BE WITH ALL THEM THAT LOVE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN SINCERITY.—Paul’s favourite word “grace” comes in as “epilogue”—as it was “prologue” (Ephesians 1:... [ Continue Reading ]