gospel of peace--(compare Luke 1:79 , Romans 10:15 ). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (compare Anna, Luke 2:37 ). be strong--Greek, "be strengthened." This was such a powerful implement that shields are often associated with strength in the Old Testament. Contrast the malediction on all who love Him not ( 1 Corinthians 16:22 ). The two-edged sword, cutting both ways ( Psalms 45:3 Psalms 45:5 ), striking some with conviction and conversion, and others with condemnation ( Isaiah 11:4 , Revelation 19:15 ), is in the mouth of Christ ( Isaiah 49:2 ), in the hand of His saints ( Psalms 149:6 ). shield--the large oblong oval door-like shield of the Romans, four feet long by two and a half feet broad; not the small round buckler. What does Ephesians 6:6 mean? (10-18) The apostle desires their prayers, and ends with his apostolic blessing. The servants of old were generally slaves. It subdues and mortifies evil desires and blasphemous thoughts as they rise within; and answers unbelief and error as they assault from without. in the Spirit--to be joined with "praying." Deal prudently and wisely with children; convince their judgements and work upon their reason. But if it meant this, it would have come last in the list (compare Colossians 3:14 ). the devil--the ruling chief of the foes ( Ephesians 6:12 ) organized into a kingdom of darkness ( Matthew 12:26 ), opposed to the kingdom of light. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul speaks of our battle being against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. of the Lord--such as the Lord approves, and by His Spirit dictates. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. Ephesians 6:11, ESV: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Paul … 3. long on the earth--In Exodus 20:12 , "long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," which Paul adapts to Gospel times, by taking away the local and limited reference peculiar to the Jews in Canaan. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we have to do with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls. Christianity makes all men brothers: compare Leviticus 25:42 Leviticus 25:43 , Deuteronomy 15:12 , Jeremiah 34:14 as to how the Hebrews were bound to treat their brethren in service; much more ought Christians to act with love. the powers" ( Ephesians 1:21 , Colossians 1:16 ; the case of the demons here, as in that of angels there (compare Romans 8:38 , 1 Corinthians 15:24 , Colossians 2:15 ). Truth is the band that girds up and keeps together the flowing robes, so as that the Christian soldier may be unencumbered for action. The term, "bonds" (plural), on the other hand, is used when the prisoner's hands or feet were bound together ( Acts 26:29 ); compare Acts 12:6 , where the plural marks the distinction. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.. Read 6:10. In the New Testament God always informs Christians which moral and ethical laws found in the Old Testament remain unchanged, including this one (Romans 13:8-10). Greek, "For our wrestling ('the wrestling' in which we are engaged) is not against flesh," &c. Flesh and blood foes are Satan's mere tools, the real foe lurking behind them is Satan himself, with whom our conflict is. We must pray, not for ourselves only, but for all saints. The Romans used to bind a prisoner to a soldier by a single chain, in a kind of free custody. Servants--literally, "slaves." 19. for me--a different Greek preposition from that in Ephesians 6:18 ; translate, therefore, "on my behalf." We must resolve by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Compare "that which is not corruptible" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). It is the Holy Spirit of God, Who works in believers and it is the evil spirit of wickedness that works in the sons of disobedience. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armour of God, which he prepares and bestows. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Here the authority of revealed law is added to that of natural law. 20. 12. "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas" ( Colossians 4:10 ). "Righteousness" is here joined with "truth," as in Ephesians 5:9 : righteousness in works, truth in words [ESTIUS] ( 1 John 3:7 ). Ephesians 6:15 talks about fitting our feet with the readiness that comes from the … the evil day--the day of Satan's special assaults ( Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:16 ) in life and at the dying hour (compare Revelation 3:10 ). of the wicked--rather "of the EVIL ONE." Stand--The repetition in Ephesians 6:11 Ephesians 6:14 , shows that standing, that is, maintaining our ground, not yielding or fleeing, is the grand aim of the Christian soldier. The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. Salvation must be our helmet. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. The main motive is, because it is God's will ( Deuteronomy 5:16 , "Honor thy father and mother, as the Lord thy God hath COMMANDED thee"); and that it is so peculiarly, is shown by His accompanying it "with a promise." God, by this hope, "lifts up the head" ( Psalms 3:3 , Luke 21:28 ). MUTUAL DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: MASTERS AND SERVANTS: OUR LIFE A WARFARE: THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR NEEDED AGAINST SPIRITUAL FOES. Contrast 1 Samuel 3:13 , Margin. Translate, "The principalities . an ambassador in bonds--a paradox. Show the same regard to God's will, and to your servants' well-being, in your relation to them, as they ought to have in their relation to you. from the heart--literally, soul ( Psalms 111:1 , Romans 13:5 ). Again the Trinity is implied: the Spirit here; and Christ in "salvation" and God the Father, Ephesians 6:13 (compare Hebrews 4:12 , Revelation 1:16 , 2:12 ). But believers have naught to fear, being "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places" ( Ephesians 1:3 ). There are other duties of religion, and of our stations in the world, but we must keep up times of prayer. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. In our Christian walk, we are not fighting a physical battle but a spiritual one, and God in His grace, has equipped us with a wide range of spiritual armoury which when used correctly, will be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the enemy, be a protection to ourselves and others, and give glory to the Lord. As believers we are united with Christ and because the Lord Jesus broke the power of sin and death and hell when He rose from the dead – the strength of sin in our lives has also been broken and we have been raised-up, into newness of life, in Him. The shield of faith will certainly intercept, and so "quench, all the fiery darts" (an image from the ancient fire-darts, formed of cane, with tow and combustibles ignited on the head of the shaft, so as to set fire to woodwork, tents, &c.). In Ephesians 6:5-9 the hardest form of subjection, that of slaves to masters, is dealt with, still under the same idea that both are “in Christ.” The slave is the servant of Christ in obeying his master, the master is a fellow-servant with his slave to the same Divine Lord. If we give way, he will get ground. Love regulates the duties both of servants and masters, as one and the same light attempers various colors. in sincerity--Greek, "in incorruption," that is, not as English Version, but "with an immortal (constant) love" [WAHL]. The word translated “be strong” here actually means “be strengthened,” as rendered in the New English Translation: “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”. 8. any man doeth--Greek, "any man shall have done," that is, shall be found at the Lord's coming to have done. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. ALFORD translates, "Besides all," as the Greek is translated, Luke 3:20 . The head of the soldier was among the principal parts to be defended, as on it the deadliest strokes might fall, and it is the head that commands the whole body. It is subjoined to the shield of faith, as being its inseparable accompaniment (compare Romans 5:1 Romans 5:5 ). To stand against satan, we are not unarmed but spiritually armed amply. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evils which we fear [GROTIUS]. Gospel of Peace. Obedience is more unreasoning and implicit; submission is the willing subjection of an inferior in point of order to one who has a right to command. Motives to obedience, amidst trials, must be drawn from a clear knowledge of the gospel. Hence, nowhere does the satanic kingdom come more clearly into view than in the Gospels which treat of Christ, the true Light. You have a Master to obey, and you and they are but fellow-servants in respect to Christ Jesus. What does Ephesians 6:12 mean? It was essential to protect against enemy attacks, whether swords, arrows, stones, spears, or other attacks. . The panoply offensive and defensive. (10) The call to stand against the devil. Ephesians 6:11, NASB: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." respect of persons--He will not, in judging, acquit thee because thou art a master, or condemn him because he is a servant ( Acts 10:34 , Romans 2:11 , Galatians 2:6 , Colossians 3:25 , 1 Peter 1:17 ). ( Colossians 3:22 ). "Good will" is stated by XENOPHON [Economics] to be the principal virtue of a slave towards his master: a real regard to his master's interest as if his own, a good will which not even a master's severity can extinguish. He who is good enough for Christ, is good enough for me [R. HALL]. This more forcibly brings out the equality of slaves and masters in the sight of God. 5. . On Satan and his demons being "world rulers," compare John 12:31 , 14:30 , 16:11 , Luke 4:6 , 2 Corinthians 4:4 , 1 John 5:19 , Greek, "lieth in the wicked one." Equality of nature and faith is superior to distinctions of rank [BENGEL]. Also, hard thoughts of God, and as to ourselves. No opening at the head, the feet, the heart, the belly, the eye, the ear, or the tongue, is to be given to Satan. Yet Christ's "ambassador is in a chain!" done all--rather, "accomplished all things," namely, necessary to the fight, and becoming a good soldier. rulers of the darkness of this world--Greek, "age" or "course of the world." Ephesians 6:1-24 . with--Greek, "in." Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Ephesians 6:11, KJV: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (1-4) Of servants and masters. fear and trembling--not slavish terror, but 2 Corinthians 7:15 ) an anxious eagerness to do your duty, and a fear of displeasing, as great as is produced in the ordinary slave by "threatenings" ( Ephesians 6:9 ). shall . . Commentary on Ephesians 6:1-4 (Read Ephesians 6:1-4) The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. First, he provides instruction regarding children and parents (Ephesians 6:1–4). And they must serve their masters not only when their master's eye is upon them; but must be strict in the discharge of their duty, when he is absent and out of the way. The phrase speaks of more than just heaven, but rather … The differences of opinion among real Christians are comparatively small, and show that they are not following one another like silly sheep, each trusting the one before him. Tychicus is commissioned to inform the Ephesians of the apostle's affairs, Ephesians 6:21, Ephesians 6:22. Fathers are more prone to passion in relation to their children than mothers, whose fault is rather over-indulgence. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [] wiles of the devil. All Rights Reserved. how I do--how I fare. masters according to the flesh--in contrast to your true and heavenly Master ( Ephesians 6:4 ). Their agreement in the main, while showing their independence as witnesses by differing in non-essentials, can only be accounted for by their being all in the right direction ( Acts 15:8 Acts 15:9 , 1 Corinthians 1:2 , 12:3 ). But it is always ready to assert itself as the native meaning, and certainly so here, close to the mention of the Redeemer’s blood. The Greek is singular. Though they be "world rulers," they are not the ruler of the universe; and their usurped rule of the world is soon to cease, when He shall "come whose right it is" ( Ezekiel 21:27 ). Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Paul looked for utterance to be given him; he did not depend on his natural or acquired power. the preparation--rather, "the preparedness," or "readiness of," that is, arising from the "Gospel" ( Psalms 10:17 ). Ephesians 1:6(NASB) Verse Thoughts There is probably no higher pinnacle of praise to the glorious grace of God than the first few chapters of Ephesians and there is possibly no more staggering truth for believers than to be accepted in the Beloved. in the Lord--Both parents and children being Christians "in the Lord," expresses the element in which the obedience is to take place, and the motive to obedience. 11. the whole armour--the armor of light ( Romans 13:12 ); on the right hand and left ( 2 Corinthians 6:7 ). The phrase occurs nowhere else in the Epistle (see, however, Ephesians 6:23 ); if genuine, it is appropriate here in the close of the Epistle, where he is urging his fellow soldiers to the good fight in the Christian armor. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. Be just to servants, as you expect they should be to you; show the like good-will and concern for them, and be careful herein to approve yourselves to God. We must pray with all kinds of prayer, public, private, and secret; social and solitary; solemn and sudden: with all the parts of prayer; confession of sin, petition for mercy, and thanksgiving for favours received. The substance and essence of the law are eternally in force: its accidents alone (applying to Israel of old) are abolished ( Romans 6:15 ). subjects for Jesus' pity. "Faith and love," that is, faith working righteousness by love, are "the breastplate" in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 . of God--not "make," God has done that: you have only to "take up" and put it on. 2. ; Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. We must have our armor always on, to be ready against the evil day which may come at any moment, the war being perpetual ( Psalms 41:1 , Margin). We are in Christ and He is in us and we are to fight this enemy with the spiritual weapons that He has provided - through the Word of God and all-prayer. Resolution must be as greaves, or armour to our legs; and to stand their ground or to march forward in rugged paths, the feet must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. men-pleasers--not Christ-pleasers (compare Galatians 1:10 , 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ). This verse proves the law in the Old Testament is not abolished. 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