Ephesians 6:1-24
RULES FOR THE FAMILY. THE CHRISTIAN'S AEMOUE 1-4. Second illustration of orderly subordination: the relation between children and parents.... [ Continue Reading ]
RULES FOR THE FAMILY. THE CHRISTIAN'S AEMOUE 1-4. Second illustration of orderly subordination: the relation between children and parents.... [ Continue Reading ]
As before, those who have to obey and submit are taken first. Cp. in the Lord here with 'unto the Lord' (Ephesians 5:22) and 'unto Christ' (Ephesians 6:5). RIGHT] both nature and the express Law of God enjoin it.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH PROMISE] the first which is accompanied with a promise: cp. '_with_ the word' (Ephesians 5:26). We might punctuate, 'the first commandment, with promise that it may be well,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the other hand, disobedience to parents is very heinous (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND] 'Parents also have their obligations: they must (1) not be unreasonable in their demands on their children; (2) give godly discipline.' He says 'fathers,' because mothers would be less likely to be too severe or to control the education. NURTURE] RV chastening' (Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 12:7; Heb... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVANTS] All servants then were _slaves_ and St. Paul says 'slaves': 'be obedient to' might be 'obey,' as in Ephesians 6:1 : 'according to the flesh' = earthly. WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING] 'very anxious to do well': it does not imply a harsh master (2 Corinthians 7:15; Philippians 2:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
Christianity gives no sanction to rebellion: it elevates and intensifies the duty of obedience. FROM THE HEART] These words may be taken with what follows; 'from the soul with good-will doing service.'... [ Continue Reading ]
'Obedience must be not only thorough, but hearty: temper is all-important.'... [ Continue Reading ]
'Good conduct, whether of slave or lord, will be fully requited by Him who is Lord of both.'... [ Continue Reading ]
'Masters, like husbands and parents, have _their_ obligations; they also must have good-temper and goodwill, and be God-fearing.' St. Paul does not tell them to emancipate their slaves; but he tells them to love them as brethren (Philemon 1:16). This does not free the slave, but it frees slavery of... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BRETHREN] an insertion from Philippians 3:1 : cp. 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 3:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1. BE STRONG] lit. 'be strengthened' (Romans 4:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOLE ARMOUR] 'Nothing must be missing of the full provision which God makes for our safety.' St. Paul omits the spear or pike and the greaves of the Roman soldier, yet mentions being girded and shod, which most men are, but soldiers must be.... [ Continue Reading ]
The malignant powers, by which the wiles or stratagems of the devil are carried out, are specified. The passage is tinged by Jewish ideas about the unseen world. THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD] This fairly represents the Gk., which means powers of darkness, that are rulers of this world, b... [ Continue Reading ]
'Against these superhuman powers nothing less than the whole armour of God will suffice; but with that the Christian warrior is safe.'... [ Continue Reading ]
The Septuagint of Isaiah 11:5 and Isaiah 59:17 is in the Apostle's mind: there it is Jehovah who wears the panoply.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PREPARATION] 'readiness' to preach the good-tidings of peace: cp. Isaiah 52:7. The Christian warrior fights to bring peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
'Fire-tipt darts' is a metaphor for fierce temptations coming from the outside. Faith in God is a sure protection against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE] 'Receive from God who supplies the panoply, and whose Spirit furnishes the sword, the helmet that is salvation.' He is thinking of Isaiah 11:4 : cp. Hebrews 4:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
The thought of the sword furnished by the Spirit, 'who maketh intercession for us' (Romans 8:26), naturally leads on to the thought of prayer: 'receive this sword, with all prayer and supplication praying in every season (1 Thessalonians 5:17) in the Spirit.' WATCHING] as a trusty warrior should (Lu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ME] RV 'on my behalf,' there being a change of preposition in the Gk.: cp. Colossians 4:2; Colossians 4:3. BOLDLY] This probably belongs to what follows, as RV 'that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness,' etc. 'Pray that all this may be granted to me.'... [ Continue Reading ]
AM AN AMBASSADOR IN BONDS] RV 'in chains': mg. 'in a chain.' The singular _may_ refer to the coupling-chain by which he could be attached to the soldier that guarded him. In any case, that an ambassador, whose person was inviolate, should be chained, was a paradox. 21, 22. The Mission of Tychicus:... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCERITY] It is doubtful whether the Gk. can mean this; better, 'incorruption' (1 Corinthians 15:42; 1 Corinthians 15:50; 1 Corinthians 15:53) or 'iacorruptibility.' It is those who love with an imperishable love that are meant: there must be neither decrease nor decay. 'Those who were “chosen in H... [ Continue Reading ]