Ephesians
Chapter 6
Children and Slaves
Children, obey your parents, for this is right:
Honor your father and your mother, which is the first commandment with a promise:
that you may be happy and enjoy a long life in the land.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Servants, obey your earthly masters with fear and respect, and with a sincere heart, as if you were obeying Christ.
Do not serve only when you are watched or to please people, but serve Christ wholeheartedly, doing God’s will.
Work willingly for the Lord and not for people,
knowing that the Lord will reward everyone for the good they do, whether they are servants or free.
And you, masters, treat your servants the same way and do not threaten them, because you know that both you and they have the same Lord in heaven, who judges all fairly.
Fight Against Evil
Finally, be strong in the Lord through his energy and power.
Put on the full armor of God so you can stand against the devil’s schemes.
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and dark powers of this world. We are fighting against spiritual and supernatural forces of evil.
Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that, on the evil day, you may resist and stand firm, using all your equipment.
Take truth as your belt, righteousness as your breastplate,
and zeal as your shoes to spread the gospel of peace.
Always hold the shield of faith in your hand to deflect the fiery darts of the devil.
Finally, put on the helmet of salvation and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray constantly as the Spirit leads; stay alert with persistent prayer and supplication for all God’s people.
Pray also for me, so that I may speak boldly and clearly, making known the mystery of the gospel.
Even when I am in chains, I am an ambassador for Christ; may he give me the strength to speak as I should.
Final Greeting
I also want you to know how I am and what I am doing. Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything.
I am sending him specifically to give you news about us and to comfort all of you.
May peace and love, along with faith from God the Father and from Christ Jesus the Lord, be with the brothers and sisters.
And may his blessing be with all who love Christ Jesus, our Lord, with undying love.
Commentaries
Children and Slaves.
Paul reminds the Ephesians that the Law is still in effect and that the fourth commandment holds a primary position regarding how to treat one’s neighbor (cf. Col 3:20f). Among all the people to be loved, parents come first (cf. Sir 3). Slaves are also considered part of the family circle. Paul does not advocate changing the social structure. He cannot, nor does he have at hand, a social or political alternative to the slavery system of his time. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the mutual responsibilities and treatment between masters and slaves, and above all, the radical equality under the “one master” who is God (Col 3:22-4:1). It is this perspective in his Gospel message that ultimately led to the end of ancient slavery and encourages us today to continue fighting against modern forms of slavery.
Fight Against Evil.
Paul urges the Ephesians to seize the opportunity for salvation and to stay alert. For him, the Christian life is like a military campaign. The Gospel faces fierce, dangerous enemies we must fight, so we need to be armed with God’s weapons. Jesus Christ has already triumphed, and his victorious weapons are available to us. His call is a call for the entire community to commit. Our “ally” in this fight is the Lord, and his victorious presence among us is made possible through prayer (cf. Ps 35:1-4). Paul concludes his letter with this final advice, encouraging the Ephesians to be persistent in praying and supplicating… with perseverance… for everyone… including himself (18f).
Final Greeting.
Unlike other letters, Paul only mentions Tychicus (cf. Col 4:7) in his final greeting, the bearer of the letter sent to encourage and comfort the Ephesians. He wishes them the grace of the Lord.