Ephesians Chapter 6 - Listen & Read Online

Read Ephesians Chapter 6

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. «To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.»

Explanation

Ephesians 6

In short

Paul gives instructions about how Christians should treat each other in everyday relationships: children with parents, servants with masters, and masters with servants. Then he tells them to prepare themselves spiritually for conflict, using armor made of truth, righteousness, faith, and God's word.

What the text says

Verses 1-3 command children to obey their parents, calling this "the first commandment with promise" because it comes with a reward: that things will go well with them and they will live long.

Verses 4-9 shift to fathers, servants, and masters. Fathers should raise their children firmly but without angering them. Servants should obey their earthly masters wholeheartedly, as if serving Christ himself, not just to please them outwardly. Masters should treat their servants the same way, without threats, remembering that they too answer to a Master in heaven.

Verses 10-20 turn to spiritual warfare. Paul tells readers to be strong in the Lord and put on "the whole armour of God." The struggle is not against people but against spiritual powers and wickedness. The armor consists of truth, righteousness, readiness to spread the gospel, faith, salvation, and "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Prayer and watchfulness are weapons too. Paul asks for prayer for his own boldness to speak about the gospel while in bonds.

Verses 21-24 name Tychicus as the messenger bringing this letter, and end with wishes for peace, love, faith, and grace.

Takeaways

Obedience and respect in families and work are presented as obligations, but not one-sided; those in charge must also serve and forbid themselves from cruelty.
Spiritual conflict is understood as invisible and requires protection that comes through truthfulness, right living, trust in God, and knowledge of Scripture.
Prayer is listed alongside the armor, not separate from it.