THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 6, Children and Parents, Slaves and Masters, The Armor of God

 

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 6,

Children and Parents, Slaves and Masters, The Armor of God

Paul completes his letter to the Ephesian Church by first speaking to children and parents, slave and master. It would be useful to see that this is more about God’s structure of authority (higher to lower) which supports the safety, health, and wholeness that our salvation provides. (Saved: “sozo” – made safe, in all circumstances, for all things are made to work together for our good, for all of us who are called according to His purpose; made whole, given a life, a destiny and an eternity of a greater purpose; made healthy, in all our activities, endeavors and relationships).

Secondly, and finally, Paul instructs that this – following and doing the will of God – will be a spiritual battle, so he reveals the equipping (i.e., the equipment) and the method necessary to effectively engage and to succeed in this battle.

Children and Parents

Ephesians 6:1, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Verse 2. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), verse 3, SO THAT IT MAY TURN OUT WELL FOR YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

Verse 4. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

(Commentary Break): Paul is describing, first, the defensive formation that we, as Christians, and particularly as a family, must assume. We have seen, in Romans 5:22, and again in Ephesians 5:21, “and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”, Verse 22. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Verse 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Verse 24. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

The word “Hupotasso” literally means:

1) to arrange under, to subordinate;

2) to subject, put in subjection

3) to subject one’s self, obey

4) to submit to one’s control

5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice

6) to obey, be subject.

HUPO – arrange under; TASSO – mutually agree upon

The intention of “submission or subjection” is found in the CONTEXT of the words in this chapter of Ephesians, which encourages us to be wise and moral, kind and pure, gentle and forgiving.

The context is also found in the meaning of the words in these verses.

Specifically, “Hupotasso” comes from a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”.

These troop formations were called a Phalanx. The Phalanx was the formation, usually in triangular form, in which The hoplite phalanx of the Archaic and Classical periods in Greece (c. 800–350 BC) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order.

Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the soldiers from acting alone, for this would compromise the formation and minimize its strengths.

The hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields.

Those at the front were, what we would call today, THE TIP OF THE SPEAR or the POINT MAN. They presented the first defense against the enemy and were the first to engage the enemy and the first to take casualties.

The phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy. Making frontal assaults against it very difficult.

It also allowed a higher proportion of the soldiers to be actively engaged in combat at a given time, rather than just those in the front rank.

This word, “Hupotasso”, in non-military use, is “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.

The Bible gives this as an example for husbands and wives to cooperate and to successfully navigate life and in waging wars against ‘their common enemy’, Satan.

The wife is fully engaged in the marriage relationship, but, God says the husband is to be the Tip of the Spear in order to protect and preserve and, if necessary, the first to fall.

Interestingly, Ephesians 5:22, “be subject to your own” uses the word “idios” which means, uniquely one’s own, peculiar to the individual. It is “stronger than the simple possessive pronoun (‘own’). This emphatic adjective means ‘private, personal’ “.

God gives each husband a wife, designed by God, Himself, to fulfill a role specifically for that husband. God gives the wife gifts, talents, abilities and a calling uniquely designed to serve God and to compliment and to complete the husband.

This is why the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. It is also why God says “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord”.

Neither, the husband nor the wife, can be made complete as persons when finding refuge, protection and provision. But as a God given ability, you can mature and sustain one another, until you understand this Spiritual principal and follow it. (End Commentary Break).

Slaves and Masters

Verse 5. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; verse 6, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Verse 7. With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, verse 8, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Verse 9. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

(Commentary Break): Likewise, when it comes to slaves and masters, there is a hierarchy of authority which also supports the safety, health, and wholeness that God gift of salvation provides. If you find yourself, not as a slave, but as one on the lower end of an hierarchy of authority, whether in a family, a business, at work or elsewhere, consider the case and example of Joseph the son of Jacob: From prison to the throne.

Joseph was the eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob and the first son of Jacob’s beloved wife, Rachel. Because Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons, he gave him a special coat, often called the “coat of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism caused jealousy among Joseph’s brothers. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him, but instead sold him to traders traveling to Egypt. They deceived their father into believing Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37). As a slave in Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

God blessed Joseph, and he prospered in Potiphar’s household. However, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempting to seduce her. As a result, Joseph was unjustly imprisoned (Genesis 39).

Even in prison, God was with Joseph. He gained favor with the prison authorities and was given responsibility over the other prisoners.

While in prison, Joseph accurately interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. Two years later, when Pharaoh himself was troubled by mysterious dreams, the cupbearer remembered Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams as a warning that Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. He advised Pharaoh to store grain during the prosperous years (Genesis 41).

Recognizing God’s wisdom in Joseph, Pharaoh elevated him from prisoner to second-in-command over all Egypt. Joseph oversaw the collection and storage of grain, preparing the nation for the coming famine.

When famine struck the surrounding lands, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. After testing their character and observing their repentance, Joseph revealed his identity. Instead of seeking revenge, he forgave them and acknowledged God’s sovereign hand in the events: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph then brought his father and the entire family to Egypt, preserving the family line through which God would eventually bring the Messiah.

Joseph’s life teaches that God is able to work through suffering, injustice, betrayal, and hardship to accomplish His purposes. What appears to be tragedy from a human perspective can become part of God’s greater plan for good and His glory. A fitting summary of Joseph’s life is found in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

This example is not just a “story” from the Bible. It is an example of how God delivers the enslaved and the downtrodden. From a lowly and hated youngest brother of eleven, to being falsely accused of crimes, imprisoned, then elevated to the throne and given authority! This is about you and about me, if we so choose. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Verse 11. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Verse 13. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Verse 14. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, verse 15, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; verse 16, in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Verse 17. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Verse 18. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, verse 19, and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, verse 20, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

(Commentary Break): Ephesians 6:10–20, the Apostle Paul concludes his letter by calling believers to stand firm in spiritual warfare through the strength and resources God provides.

Paul begins by exhorting believers to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Christians are not called to fight spiritual battles in their own power but in God’s power.

He reminds us through spiritual truth using a series of metaphors that our true struggle is not against human beings (“flesh and blood”) but against spiritual forces of evil. Because the enemy is spiritual, believers must put on the full armor of God in order to withstand attacks and remain faithful.

Paul describes six pieces of armor by way of metaphors, using the equipment of a Roman soldier as an illustration:

1. The Belt of Truth – Truth holds everything together. Believers are to be grounded in God’s truth and live honestly before Him.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness – Righteousness protects the heart. This includes both the righteousness believers receive through Christ and the righteous life they are called to live.

3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Christians are to stand firmly on the peace they have with God through the gospel and be ready to share that message with others.

4. The Shield of Faith – Faith protects believers from the “flaming arrows” of the enemy, such as doubt, fear, temptation, and discouragement.

5. The Helmet of Salvation – Salvation guards the mind, providing confidence and assurance in God’s saving work.

6. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God – The only offensive weapon listed. God’s Word is used to confront error, resist temptation, and proclaim truth.

After describing the armor, Paul emphasizes continual prayer. Believers are to pray:

At all times,

In the Spirit,

With perseverance,

For all the saints.

Paul also requests prayer for himself, that he would boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel even while imprisoned. Likewise, we must pray for one another during these times.

Main Themes:

The Christian life involves spiritual warfare.

Victory comes through God’s strength, not human effort.

Believers must be equipped with God’s truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and Word.

Prayer is essential to standing firm and advancing the gospel.

Christians are called not merely to attack the enemy but primarily to stand firm in the victory Christ has already secured.

The central command of this passage is “stand firm.” Believers are to rely on God’s power, put on His armor, remain vigilant in prayer, and faithfully endure against spiritual opposition until the day of Christ.

These are not suggestions, they are prophetic instructions for spiritual warfare. No less, if you were a soldier in an army preparing for war, would you fare well if you ignored your superiors and shirked in your training, should we ignore the reality of Paul’s instructions. Let me re-emphasize, this war is real, the consequences of being unprepared or ill-prepared can be destructive and deadly. Hear Paul’s words. Practice them. Apply them daily,. This is the only way! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 21. Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. Verse 22. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Verse 23. Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 24. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

(End Chapter 6 – End The Book of Ephesians).

I am no Tychius but I am endeavoring to be a faithful servant of God by trying to make everything known to you. My desire is to encourage you, instruct you through these messages, to prepare you and to comfort you hearts. I too pray peace to you brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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