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. 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 ). neither . doing the will of God--the unseen but ever present Master: the best guarantee for your serving faithfully your earthly master alike when present and when absent. 5. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. Ephesians 6:11, ESV: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Colossians 4:8 is almost word for word the same as this verse. Ephesians 6:3 “that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” “May”: The promise is generally the rule, yet some godly young men and women do die early in life (like Jesus and John the Baptist) and some very wicked people end up living long and prosperous lives ( Psalms 73:1-14 ). In addition to the contribution of Ephesians chapter 6, we may add several other observations concerning the spiritual war which will help us in our study of Ephesians 6:10-20. It is subjoined to the shield of faith, as being its inseparable accompaniment (compare Romans 5:1 Romans 5:5 ). Though set and solemn prayer may not be seasonable when other duties are to be done, yet short pious prayers darted out, always are so. Compare Luke 18:1 , Romans 12:12 , 1 Thessalonians 5:17 . Where the Lord Jesus has a true believer, there I have a brother [BISHOP M'IKWAINE]. SENECA [Thyestes, 607], says, "Whatever an inferior dreads from you, this a superior Master threatens yourselves with: every authority here is under a higher above." The panoply offensive and defensive. 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. of the wicked--rather "of the EVIL ONE." 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.). Read commentary on this popular Bible verse and understand the real meaning behind God's Word using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. . Here is the duty of masters. Derived from Deuteronomy 10:17 , 2 Chronicles 19:7 . 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 ). “Obey … in the Lord” (see Col. 3:20). The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure Gospel "hope" of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine, or give way to Satan's temptations to despair. 13. take . 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. Steady regard to the Lord Jesus Christ will make men faithful and sincere in every station, not grudgingly or by constraint, but from a principle of love to the masters and their concerns. "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas" ( Colossians 4:10 ). What does Ephesians 6:12 mean? Salvation must be our helmet. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power … 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 20. Faith applying the word of God and the grace of Christ, quenches the darts of temptation. 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 ). The righteousness of Christ implanted in us, fortifies the heart against the attacks of Satan. Translate, "Having shod your feet" (referring to the sandals, or to the military shoes then used). singleness--without double-mindedness, or "eye service" ( Ephesians 6:6 ), which seeks to please outwardly, without the sincere desire to make the master's interest at all times the first consideration ( 1 Chronicles 29:17 , Matthew 6:22 Matthew 6:23 , Luke 11:34 ). 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. Ephesians 6:1-3 nails this teaching in our minds: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. As three of the clauses describe the power, so this fourth, the wickedness of our spiritual foes ( Matthew 12:45 ). Repeated emphatically, Ephesians 6:13 . A good hope of salvation, a Scriptural expectation of victory, will purify the soul, and keep it from being defiled by Satan. first--in the decalogue with a special promise. with--Greek, "in." The Ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes: thus Paul's allusion would be appropriate. 18. always--Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency ( Colossians 4:2 ). Tychicus--an Asiatic, and so a fit messenger bearing the respective Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse ( Acts 20:4 , 2 Timothy 4:12 ). right--Even by natural law we should render obedience to them from whom we have derived life. Gospel of Peace. wiles--literally, "schemes sought out" for deceiving (compare 2 Corinthians 11:14 ). Two cases prove Satan not to be a mere subjective fancy: (1) Christ's temptation; (2) the entrance of demons into the swine (for these are incapable of such fancies). 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. 5:16; Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents; Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family. 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). 10. my brethren--Some of the oldest manuscripts omit these words. Compare "that which is not corruptible" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). how I do--how I fare. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. an ambassador in bonds--a paradox. Our enemies are mighty, and we are without strength, but our Redeemer is almighty, and in the power of his mighty we may overcome. What does Ephesians 6:16 mean? threatening--Greek, "the threatening" which masters commonly use. For--Greek, as in Ephesians 6:19 , "On behalf of which." Faith conquers him ( 1 Peter 5:9 ), and his darts of temptation to wrath, lust, revenge, despair, &c. It overcomes the world ( 1 John 5:4 ), and so the prince of the world ( 1 John 5:18 ). The slave that has acted faithfully for the Lord's sake to his master, though the latter may not repay his faithfulness, shall have the Lord for his Paymaster. 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. of
And the grace of the Spirit, producing faith and love, and every grace. Believers have once for all overcome him; but on the ground of this fundamental victory gained over him, they are ever again to fight against and overcome him, even as they who once die with Christ have continually to mortify their members upon earth ( Romans 6:2-14 Colossians 3:3 Colossians 3:5 ). This clause, "in the Lord," would suggest the due limitation of the obedience required ( Acts 5:29 ; compare on the other hand, the abuse, Mark 7:11-13 ). In most of Chapter 6, Paul is reminding the church at Ephesus to be spiritually-strong. 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. in the power of his might--Christ's might: as in Ephesians 1:19 , it is the Father's might. Multiplied calls to prayer are found throughout scripture and many men and women in the pages of the Bible are also found travailing in prayer to God. Most of the oldest manuscripts for "finally," read, "henceforward," or "from henceforth" ( Galatians 6:17 ). Faith is all in all in an hour of temptation. your Master also--The oldest manuscripts read, "the Master both of them and you": "their Master and yours." 16. Those particularly should be prayed for, who are exposed to great hardships and perils in their work. Resist him, and he will flee. 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.”. The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience. Moreover, pride and presumption are the sins in heavenly places to which they tempt especially, being those by which they themselves fell from heavenly places ( Isaiah 14:12-15 ). Wherefore we must stir up ourselves. Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are darts Satan shoots at us. Translate, "The principalities . The "peace" within forms a beautiful contrast to the raging of the outward conflict ( Isaiah 26:3 , Philippians 4:7 ). that I may open my mouth boldly--rather, "that there may be given to me 'utterance,' or 'speech' in the opening of my mouth (when I undertake to speak; a formula used in set and solemn speech, Job 3:1 , Daniel 10:16 ), so as with boldness to make known," &c. Bold plainness of speech was the more needed, as the Gospel is a "mystery" undiscoverable by mere reason, and only known by revelation. ye shall be able--not merely, "ye may." which is . 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. What does Ephesians 6:6 mean? 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. Only the dominion of the Father is the absolute one, that of the Son is the derived, conferred, obtained ( Php 2:9 ; 1 Corinthians 15:24 ff; 1 Corinthians 3:23 , al. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. 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. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Paul addresses the problem of doing things only for the sake of gaining other's approval. 22. for the same purpose--Greek, "for this very purpose." 'In the LORD' That said, what does the "in the Lord" phrase mean to tell us? Contrast Colossians 2:22 , worldly things "which perish with the using." 12. 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. 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 ). Satan tries to parody, or imitate in a perverted way, God's working ( 2 Corinthians 11:13 2 Corinthians 11:14 ). Observe the climactic advance in Ephesians 4:4-6: the Church, Christ, God; —and at the same time the climax in the divine Triad: Spirit, Lord, Father. Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. There can be no religion without sincerity. The Whole Armor of God. The servants of old were generally slaves. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] One of an ancient soldier's most important tools was a shield. So the freeman who has done good for the Lord's sake, though man may not pay him, has the Lord for his Debtor ( Proverbs 19:17 ). But believers have naught to fear, being "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places" ( Ephesians 1:3 ). They are to be sincere; not pretending obedience when they mean to disobey, but serving faithfully. Yet Christ's "ambassador is in a chain!" So when God became incarnate, Satan, by his demons, took forcible possession of human bodies. Act after the same manner. Equality of nature and faith is superior to distinctions of rank [BENGEL]. We must pray, not for ourselves only, but for all saints. promise--The "promise" is not made the main motive to obedience, but an incidental one. ALFORD translates, "Besides all," as the Greek is translated, Luke 3:20 . MUTUAL DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: MASTERS AND SERVANTS: OUR LIFE A WARFARE: THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR NEEDED AGAINST SPIRITUAL FOES. To stand against satan, we are not unarmed but spiritually armed amply. First, he provides instruction regarding children and parents (Ephesians 6:1–4). ( Colossians 3:22 ). 24. The necessity of all kinds of prayer and watchfulness, Ephesians 6:18-20. The phrase speaks of more than just heaven, but rather … Christ's use of this sword in the temptation is our pattern as to how we are to wield it against Satan ( Matthew 4:4 Matthew 4:7 Matthew 4:10 ). The more clearly any book of Scripture, as this, treats of the economy of the kingdom of light, the more clearly does it set forth the kingdom of darkness. Seeking to please their masters only so long as these have their eyes on them: as Gehazi was a very different man in his master's presence from what he was in his absence ( 2 Kings 5:1-18 ). 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