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Ephesians
Chapter Six
Ephesians 6
But it is not only that there is a line of conduct to
follow, a model to imitate, a Spirit with whom one may be filled, it is not
only relationships between oneself and God, and those in which we stand here
below; this is not all that must occupy the Christian. He has enemies to fight.
The people of Israel under Joshua in the land of Canaan were indeed in the
promised land, but they were in conflict there with enemies who were in it
before them, although not according to the rights by which Israel possessed the
land through the gift of God. God had set it apart for Israel (see Deut. 32:8);
Ham had taken possession of it.
Now, with regard to us, it is not with flesh and blood that we have to
fight, as was the case With Israel. Our blessings are spiritual in the heavenly
places. We are sitting in Christ in the heavenlies. We are a testimony to
principalities and powers in the heavenlies; we have to wrestle with spiritual
wickednesses in the heavenlies. Israel had passed through the wilderness-had
crossed the Jordan; the manna had ceased; they ate the corn of the land. They
were settled in the land of Canaan as though it were all their own without
striking a blow. They ate the produce of this good land in the plains of Jericho.
So it is with regard to the Christian. Although we are in the wilderness, we
are also in the heavenly places in Christ. We have crossed the Jordan, we have
died and are risen again with Him. We are sitting in the heavenly places in
Him, that we may enjoy the things of heaven as the fruit of our own country.
But conflict is before us, if we desire to enjoy them practically. The promise
is of every blessing, of all the promised land, but wheresoever we shall set
our foot on it (Joshua 1). For this we need the Lord's strength, and of this
the apostle now speaks. "Be strong," he says, "in the
Lord." The enemy is subtle. We have to withstand his stratagems even more
than his power. Neither the strength nor even the wisdom of man can do anything
here. We must be armed with the panoply, that is, the whole armour, of God.
But observe first, that the Spirit turns our thoughts
upon God Himself before speaking of that which has to be overcome. "Be
strong in the Lord." It is not, first of all, a refuge from the face of
the enemy; we are in it for ourselves before we use it against the wiles of the
enemy. It is in the intimacy of the counsels and the grace of God that man
fortifies himself for the warfare from which he cannot escape, if he would
enjoy his christian privileges. And he must have the whole armour. To be
wanting in one piece exposes us to Satan on that side. The armour must be that
of God-divine in its nature. Human armour will not ward off the attacks of
Satan; confidence in that armour will engage us in the battle only to make us
fall in combat with a spirit who is more mighty and more crafty than we are.
These enemies are thus characterised; they are
principalities and powers-beings possessing an energy of evil which has its
source in a will that has mastery over those who do not know how to resist it;
they have also strength to carry it out. Their energy they have from God, the
will that uses it comes from themselves; they have forsaken God; the spring of
their actions is in their own will. In this respect it is a source of action
independent of God, and the energy and the qualities which they have from God
are the instruments of that will-a will which has no bridle except from outside
itself. They are principalities and powers. There are good ones; but in them
the will is only to do that which God wills, and to employ in His service the
strength they have received from Him.
These rebellious principalities and powers rule over the
darkness of this world. Light is the atmosphere in which God dwells, which He diffuses
all around Himself. Wicked spirits deceive and reign in darkness. Now this
world, not having the light of God, is entirely in darkness, and demons reign
in it; for God is not there-except in supreme power after all, turning
everything to His glory, and, in the end, to the good of His children.
But if these principalities rule in the darkness of this world they do
not possess merely an outward force; they are in the heavenlies, and are
occupied with spiritual wickedness there. They exercise a spiritual influence,
as having the place of gods. There is then, first, their intrinsic character,
their mode of being, and the state in which they are found; second, their power
in the world as governing it; and third, their religious and delusive ascendency,
as lodging in the heavens. They have also, as a sphere for the exercise of
their power, the lusts of man, and even the terrors of his conscience.
To resist enemies like these we need the armour of God.
The manifestations of this power, when God permits it, constitute the evil
days. All this present period of Christ's absence is, in a certain sense, the
evil day. Christ has been rejected by the world, of which, while in it, He was
the light, and is hidden in God. This power, which the enemy displayed when he
led the world to reject Christ, he still exercises over it: we oppose it by the
action and the power of the Holy Ghost, who is here during the Lord's absence.
But there are moments when this power is allowed to shew itself in a more
especial manner, when the enemy uses the world against the saints, darkening
the light which shines in it from God, troubling and leading astray the minds
of professors and even of believers-days, in a word, in which his power makes
itself felt. We have to wrestle with this power, to resist it all, to stand
against everything in the confession of Christ, of the light; we have to do all
that the confession of His name requires in spite of all and at whatever cost,
and to be found standing when the storm and the evil day are past.
Thus we have not only to enjoy God and the counsels of
God and their effect in peace; but, since these very counsels introduce us into
heavenly places and make us the light of God on earth, we have also to
encounter the spiritual wickednesses which are in the heavenly places, and
which seek to make us falsify our high position, to mislead us, and to darken
the light of Christ in us on the earth. We have to escape the snares of
heavenly spiritual wickedness for ourselves, and to maintain the testimony here
below incorrupt and pure. [1]
Now by the power of the Holy Ghost, who has been given to
us for this purpose, we shall find that the armour of God relates first to that
which, by setting the flesh aside, and by maintaining the existence of a good
conscience, takes all hold from the enemy; then, to the preservation of
complete objective trust in God; and next, to the active energy which stands
with confidence in the presence of the enemy, and using the weapons of the Holy
Ghost against him. The defensive armour our own state, comes first. The whole
ends with the expression of the entire and continual dependence on God in which
the christian warrior stands.
We will examine this armour of God, that we may know it.
It is all practical-founded on that which has been accomplished, but in itself
practical. For it is not a question here of appearing before the bar of God,
but of resisting the enemy, and of maintaining our ground against him.
Before God our righteousness is perfect, it is Christ
Himself, and we are the righteousness of God in Him: but we do not need armour
there, we are sitting in the heavenly places: all is peace, all is perfect. But
here we need armour, real practical armour, and first of all to have the loins
girt about with truth. The loins are the place of strength when duly girt, but
represent the intimate affections and movements of the heart. If we allow our
hearts to wander where they will, instead of abiding in communion with God,
Satan has easy hold upon us. This piece of armour is then the application of
the truth to the most intimate movements, the first movements of the heart. We
gird up the loins. This is done, not when Satan is present; it is a work with God,
which is done by applying the truth to our souls in His presence, judging
everything in us by this means, and putting a bridle on the heart that it may
only move under His eye. This is true liberty and true joy, because the new man
enjoys God in uninterrupted communion; but here the Spirit speaks of it with
respect to the safeguard which it will be to us against the attacks of the
enemy. At the same time it is not merely the repression of evil thoughts-that
is its consequence: it is the action of the truth, of the power of God, acting
by the revelation of everything as it is-of all that He Himself teaches,
bringing the conscience into His presence, keeping it thus in His thoughts; all
that God has said in His word, and the unseen realities having their true force
and their application to the heart that stirs in us, so that its movements
should have their character from God's own word and not from its own desires,
everything going on in the presence of God. [2]
Satan has no hold on a heart thus kept in the truth, as
revealed by God; there is nothing in its desires that answers to the
suggestions of Satan. Take Jesus as an example. His safeguard was not in
judging all that Satan said. In the wilderness at the beginning of His public
service, except in the last temptation, it was in the perfect application of
the word for Himself, for that which concerned His own conduct, to the
circumstances around Him. The truth governed His heart, so that it only moved
according to that truth in the circumstance that presented itself "Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God." No word has come forth-He does nothing. There was no motive
for acting. It would have been to act of His own accord, of His own will. That
truth kept His heart in connection with God in the circumstance that met Him.
When the circumstance arose, His heart was already in intercourse with God, so
that it had no other impulse than that which the word of truth suggested. His
conduct was purely negative, but it flowed from the light which truth threw
upon the circumstance, because His heart was under the absolute government of
the truth. The suggestion of Satan would have brought Him out of this position.
That was enough. He will have nothing to do with it. He does not yet drive away
Satan: it was only a matter of conduct, not of flagrant opposition to the glory
of God. In the latter case He drives him away; in the former He acts according
to God without concerning Himself with anything farther. Satan's device totally
failed of its effect. It simply produced nothing. It is absolutely powerless
against the truth, because it is not the truth; and the hearth has truth for
its rule. Wiles are not the truth: this is quite enough to prevent our being
caught by them, that is, if the heart be thus governed.
In the second place there is the breastplate of
righteousness-a conscience that has nothing to reproach itself with. The
natural man knows how a bad conscience robs him of strength before men. There
is only to be added here the way in which Satan uses it to entrap man in his
snares. By maintaining the truth we have Satan for our enemy. If we yield
ourselves up to error, he will leave us in that respect at peace, except in
using our faults and crimes to enslave us more, to bind us hand and foot in
that which is false. How would a man who has the truth, who has perhaps even
escaped error, if his conduct were bad, bear to have it exposed to the eyes of
all? He is silent before the enemy. His own conscience even will make him
silent, if he is upright, without thinking of consequences, unless a confession
be necessary. Besides this the strength of God and spiritual understanding will
fail him: where could he have gained them in a wrong walk? We go forward boldly
when we have a good conscience. But it is when we are walking with God, for the
love of God, for the love of righteousness itself, that we have this
breastplate on, and thus we are fearless when called to go forward and face the
enemy. We gain a good conscience before God by the blood of the Lamb. By
walking with God we maintain it before men and for communion with God, in order
to have strength and spiritual understanding, and to have them increasingly.
This is the practical strength of good conduct, of a conscience without rebuke.
"I exercise myself" always to this, said the apostle. What integrity
in such a walk, what truthfulness of heart when no eye sees us! We are peremptory
with ourselves, with our own hearts, and with regard to our conduct; we can
therefore be peaceful in our ways. God also is there. So walk, says the
apostle, and the God of peace shall be with you. If the fruits of righteousness
are sown in peace, the path of peaceis found in righteousness. If I have a bad
conscience, I am vexed with myself, I grow angry with others. When the heart is
at peace with God and has nothing to reproach itself with, when the will is
held in check, peace reigns in the soul. We walk on the earth, but the heart is
above it in intercourse with better things; we walk in a peaceful spirit with
others, and nothing troubles our relations with God. He is the God of peace.
Peace, the peace of Jesus, fills the heart. The feet are shod with it; we walk
in the spirit of peace.
But, together with all this, a piece of defensive armour
is needed over all the rest, that we may be able to stand in spite of all the
wiles of the enemy-an armour, however, which is practically maintained in its
soundness by the use of the preceding ones, so that, if the latter is
essential, the others have the first place in practice. This is the shield,
faith; that is to say, full and entire trust in God, the consciousness of grace
and of His favour maintained in the heart. Here faith is not simply the
reception of God's testimony (although it is founded on that testimony), but
the present assurance of the heart with regard to that which God is for us,
founded, as we have just said, on the testimony which He has given of Himself-trust
in His love and in His faithfulness, as well as in His power. "If our
hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God." The work of
the Spirit in us is to inspire this confidence. When it exists, all the attacks
of the enemy, who seeks to make us believe that the goodness of God is not so
sure-all his efforts to destroy or to weaken in our hearts this confidence in
God and to hide Him from us, prove fruitless. His arrows fall to the ground
without reaching us. We stand fast in the consciousness that God is for us: our
communion is not interrupted. The fiery darts of the enemy are not the desires
of the flesh, but spiritual attacks.
Thus we can hold up our heads: moral courage, the energy
which goes forward, is maintained. Not that we have anything to boast of in
ourselves, but the salvation and the deliverance of God are fresh in our minds.
God has been for us; He is for us: who shall be against us? He was for us when
we had no strength; it was salvation, when we could do nothing. This is our
confidence-God Himself-not looking at ourselves. We have the helmet of
salvation on our heads. The former parts of the armour give us freedom to enjoy
the two latter.
Thus furnished with that which protects us in our walk,
and in the practical confidence in God, and the knowledge of God that flows
from it, we are in a state to use offensive weapons. We have but one against
the enemy, but it is one that he cannot resist if we know how to handle it:
witness the Lord's conflict in the wilderness with Satan. It is the word of
God. There Jesus always answered with the word by the power of the Spirit. It
sets man in his true position according to God as obedient man in the
circumstances around him. Satan can do nothing there: we have but to maintain
that position. If Satan openly tempts us to disobedience, there is no wile in
that. Not being able to do anything else, Satan acted thus with the Lord, and
manifested himself as he is. The Lord drove him away by the word. Satan has no
power when he is manifested as Satan. We have to resist the wiles of the devil.
Our business is to act according to the word, come what may; the result will
shew that the wisdom of God was in it. But observe here, this sword is the
sword of the Spirit. It is not the intelligence or the capacity of man,
although it is man who uses the word. His sword is highly tempered, but he can
neither draw it nor strike with it if the Holy Ghost is not acting in him. The
weapons are spiritual; they are used by the power of the Spirit. God must
speak, however weak the instrument may be.
The sword is also used actively in the spiritual warfare,
in which it judges all that is opposed to us. In this sense it is both
defensive and offensive. But, behind all this armour, there is a state, a
disposition, a m eans of strength, which quickens and gives all the rest its
power: this is a complete dependence on God, united to trust in Him, which
expresses itself in prayer. "Praying always"; this dependence must be
constant. When it is real, and I feel that I can do nothing without God, and
that He wills my good in all things, it expresses itself. It seeks the strength
which it has not: it seeks it from Him in whom it trusts. It is the motion of
the Spirit in our hearts in their intercourse with God, so that our battles are
fought in the communion of His strength and His favour, and in the
consciousness that we can do nothing, and that He is all. "At all
times"; "with supplication." This prayer is the expression of
the man's need, of the heart's desire, in the strength that the Spirit gives
him, as well as in confidence in God. Also since it is the Spirit's act, it
embraces all saints, not one of whom can be forgotten by Jesus; and the Spirit
in us answers the affections of Christ, and reproduces them. We must be watchful
and diligent in order to use this weapon; avoiding all that would turn us away
from God, availing ourselves of every opportunity, and finding, by the grace of
the Spirit, in everything that arises, an occasion (by means of this diligence)
for prayer and not for distraction. [3] The apostle asks from his heart for this
intercession on their part, in the sense of his own need and of that which he
desires to be for Christ.
The mission of Tychicus expressed Paul's assurance of the
interest which the love of the Ephesians made them take in having tidings of
him, and that which he himself felt in ascertaining their welfare and spiritual
state in Christ. It is a touching expression of his confidence in their
affection-an affection which his own devoted heart led him to expect in others.
He presents the Ephesians as enjoying the highest
privileges in Christ, and as being able to appreciate them. He blames them in
nothing. The armour of God-by which to repel the assaults of the enemy, and to
grow up in peace unto the Head in all things, the preservative armour of
God-was naturally the last thing that he had to set before them. It is to be
noticed that he does not speak to them in this epistle of the Lord's coming. He
supposes believers in the heavenly places in Christ; and not as on earth, going
through the world, waiting till He should come to take them to Himself, and
restore happiness to the world. That which is waited for in this epistle is the
gathering together of all things under Christ, their true Head, according to
the counsels of God. The blessings are in the heavens, the testimony is in the
heavens, the church is sitting in the heavens, the warfare is in the heavens.
The apostle repeats his desire for them of peace, love,
and faith; and concludes his epistle with the usual salutation by his own hand.
This epistle sets forth the position and the privileges
of the children, and of the assembly in its union with Christ.
[1]
Still what we have to overcome are the wiles of the devil. His power over us is
broken. He may rouse the world in persecution and be a roaring lion; but as
regards personal temptations, if we resist the devil he flees from us; he knows
he has met Christ, and Christ has overcome. But his wiles are ever there.
[2]
{Girding the loins} is a common figure of scripture for a mind and heart kept
in godly order as in God's presence by the word of God.
[3]
Prayer is founded on the immense privilege of having common interests with God
both as to ourselves and as to all that are His, yea, even as to Christ's
glory. Wondrous thought! unspeakable grace!
── John Darby《Synopsis of Ephesians》
Ephesians 6
Chapter Contents
The duties of children and parents. (1-4) Of servants and
masters. (5-9) All Christians are to put on spiritual armour against the
enemies of their souls. (10-18) The apostle desires their prayers, and ends
with his apostolic blessing. (19-24)
Commentary on Ephesians 6:1-4
(Read Ephesians 6:1-4)
The great duty of children is, to obey their parents.
That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every
age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. The
duty of parents. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. Deal
prudently and wisely with children; convince their judgements and work upon
their reason. Bring them up well; under proper and compassionate correction;
and in the knowledge of the duty God requires. Often is this duty neglected,
even among professors of the gospel. Many set their children against religion;
but this does not excuse the children's disobedience, though it may be awfully
occasion it. God alone can change the heart, yet he gives his blessing to the
good lessons and examples of parents, and answers their prayers. But those,
whose chief anxiety is that their children should be rich and accomplished,
whatever becomes of their souls, must not look for the blessing of God.
Commentary on Ephesians 6:5-9
(Read Ephesians 6:5-9)
The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience.
The servants of old were generally slaves. The apostles were to teach servants
and masters their duties, in doing which evils would be lessened, till slavery
should be rooted out by the influence of Christianity. Servants are to
reverence those over them. They are to be sincere; not pretending obedience when
they mean to disobey, but serving faithfully. 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. 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. This makes service easy to them, pleasing to their masters, and
acceptable to the Lord Christ. God will reward even the meanest drudgery done
from a sense of duty, and with a view to glorify him. Here is the duty of
masters. Act after the same manner. 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. Be not tyrannical and overbearing. You
have a Master to obey, and you and they are but fellow-servants in respect to
Christ Jesus. If masters and servants would consider their duties to God, and
the account they must shortly give to him, they would be more mindful of their
duty to each other, and thus families would be more orderly and happy.
Commentary on Ephesians 6:10-18
(Read Ephesians 6:10-18)
Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our
spiritual warfare and suffering. 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. The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no
putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course.
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. The devils assault us in the things that belong to our souls, and labour
to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. We must resolve by God's grace, not
to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we give way, he will get
ground. If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armour, we give
him advantage. The different parts of the armour of heavy-armed soldiers, who
had to sustain the fiercest assaults of the enemy, are here described. There is
none for the back; nothing to defend those who turn back in the Christian
warfare. Truth, or sincerity, is the girdle. This girds on all the other pieces
of our armour, and is first mentioned. There can be no religion without
sincerity. The righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, is a breastplate against
the arrows of Divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us,
fortifies the heart against the attacks of Satan. 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. Motives to obedience, amidst trials, must be drawn from a clear
knowledge of the gospel. Faith is all in all in an hour of temptation. Faith,
as relying on unseen objects, receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption,
and so deriving grace from him, is like a shield, a defence every way. The
devil is the wicked one. Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire
of hell, are darts Satan shoots at us. Also, hard thoughts of God, and as to
ourselves. Faith applying the word of God and the grace of Christ, quenches the
darts of temptation. Salvation must be our helmet. A good hope of salvation, a
Scriptural expectation of victory, will purify the soul, and keep it from being
defiled by Satan. To the Christian armed for defense in battle, the apostle
recommends only one weapon of attack; but it is enough, the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God. It subdues and mortifies evil desires and
blasphemous thoughts as they rise within; and answers unbelief and error as
they assault from without. A single text, well understood, and rightly applied,
at once destroys a temptation or an objection, and subdues the most formidable
adversary. Prayer must fasten all the other parts of our Christian armour.
There are other duties of religion, and of our stations in the world, but we
must keep up times of prayer. 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. We must use holy thoughts in our ordinary course. A vain heart
will be vain in prayer. 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. And we must do it by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, in dependence
on, and according to, his teaching. We must preserve in particular requests,
notwithstanding discouragements. We must pray, not for ourselves only, but for
all saints. Our enemies are mighty, and we are without strength, but our
Redeemer is almighty, and in the power of his mighty we may overcome. Wherefore
we must stir up ourselves. Have not we, when God has called, often neglected to
answer? Let us think upon these things, and continue our prayers with patience.
Commentary on Ephesians 6:19-24
(Read Ephesians 6:19-24)
The gospel was a mystery till made known by Divine
revelation; and it is the work of Christ's ministers to declare it. The best
and most eminent ministers need the prayers of believers. Those particularly
should be prayed for, who are exposed to great hardships and perils in their
work. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith. By peace, understand all
manner of peace; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace among themselves.
And the grace of the Spirit, producing faith and love, and every grace. These
he desires for those in whom they were already begun. And all grace and
blessings come to the saints from God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace,
that is, the favour of God; and all good, spiritual and temporal, which is from
it, is and shall be with all those who thus love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity, and with them only.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Ephesians》
Ephesians 6
Verse 1
[1]
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Children, obey your parents — In all things lawful. The will of the parent is a law to the child.
In the Lord —
For his sake.
For this is right —
Manifestly just and reasonable.
Verse 2
[2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;)
Honour —
That is, love, reverence, obey, assist, in all things. The mother is
particularly mentioned, as being more liable to be slighted than the father.
Which is the first commandment with a promise — For the promise implied in the second commandment does not belong to the
keeping that command in particular, but the whole law. Exodus 20:12
Verse 3
[3] That
it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
That thou mayest live long upon the earth — This is usually fulfilled to eminently dutiful children; and he who
lives long and well has a long seed-time for the eternal harvest. But this
promise, in the Christian dispensation, is to be understood chiefly in a more
exalted and Spiritual sense.
Verse 4
[4] And,
ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord.
And, ye fathers —
Mothers are included; but fathers are named, as being more apt to be stern and
severe.
Provoke not your children to wrath — Do not needlessly fret or exasperate them.
But bring them up —
With all tenderness and mildness.
In the instruction and discipline of the Lord — Both in Christian knowledge and practice.
Verse 5
[5] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Your masters according to the flesh — According to the present state of things: afterward the servant is free
from his master.
With fear and trembling — A proverbial expression, implying the utmost care and diligence.
In singleness of heart — With a single eye to the providence and will of God.
Verse 6
[6] Not
with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will
of God from the heart;
Not with eye-service — Serving them better when under their eye than at other times.
But doing the will of God from the heart — Doing whatever you do, as the will of God, and with your might.
Verse 7
[7] With
good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Unto the Lord, and not to men — That is, rather than to men; and by making every action of common life a
sacrifice to God; having an eye to him in all things, even as if there were no
other master.
Verse 8
[8]
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of
the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
He shall receive the same — That is, a full and adequate recompence for it.
Verse 9
[9] And,
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.
Do the same things to them — That is, act toward them from the same principle.
Forbearing threatening — Behaving with gentleness and humanity, not in a harsh or domineering
way.
Verse 10
[10]
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Brethren —
This is the only place in this epistle where he uses this compellation.
Soldiers frequently use it to each other in the field.
Be strong —
Nothing less will suffice for such a fight: to be weak, and remain so, is the
way to perish.
In the power of his might — A very uncommon expression, plainly denoting what great assistance we
need as if his might would not do, it must be the powerful exertion of his
might.
Verse 11
[11] Put
on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil.
Put on the whole armour of God — The Greek word means a complete suit of armour. Believers are said to
put on the girdle, breastplate, shoes; to take the shield of faith, and sword
of the Spirit.
The whole armour — As
if the armour would scarce do, it must be the whole armour. This is repeated,
verse 13, because of the strength and subtilty of our
adversaries, and because of an "evil day" of sore trial being at hand.
Verse 12
[12] For
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.
For our wrestling is not only, not chiefly,
against flesh and blood - Weak men, or fleshly appetites.
But against principalities, against powers — The mighty princes of all the infernal legions. And great is their
power, and that likewise of those legions whom they command.
Against the rulers of the world — Perhaps these principalities and powers remain mostly in the citadel of
their kingdom of darkness. But there are other evil spirits who range abroad,
to whom the provinces of the world are committed.
Of the darkness —
This is chiefly spiritual darkness.
Of this age —
Which prevails during the present state of things.
Against wicked spirits — Who continually oppose faith, love, holiness, either by force or fraud;
and labour to infuse unbelief, pride, idolatry malice, envy, anger, hatred.
In heavenly places — Which
were once their abode, and which they still aspire to, as far as they are
permitted.
Verse 13
[13]
Wherefore 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.
In the evil day —
The war is perpetual; but the fight is one day less, another more, violent. The
evil day is either at the approach of death, or in life; may be longer or
shorter and admits of numberless varieties.
And having done all, to stand — That ye may still keep on your armour, still stand upon your guard,
still watch and pray; and thus ye will be enabled to endure unto the end, and
stand with joy before the face of the Son of Man.
Verse 14
[14]
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness;
Having your loins girt about — That ye may be ready for every motion.
With truth —
Not only with the truths of the gospel, but with "truth in the inward
parts;" for without this all our knowledge of divine truth will prove but
a poor girdle "in the evil day." So our Lord is described, Isaiah 11:5. And as a girded man is always ready
to go on, so this seems to intimate an obedient heart, a ready will. Our Lord
adds to the loins girded, the lights burning, Luke 12:35; showing that watching and ready
obedience are the inseparable companions of faith and love.
And having on the breastplate of righteousness — The righteousness of a spotless purity, in which Christ will present us
faultless before God, through the merit of his own blood. With this breastplate
our Lord is described, Isaiah 59:17. In the breast is the seat of
conscience, which is guarded by righteousness. No armour for the back is
mentioned. We are always to face our enemies.
Verse 15
[15] And
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel — Let this be always ready to direct and
confirm you in every step. This part of the armour, for the feet, is needful,
considering what a journey we have to go; what a race to run. Our feet must be
so shod, that our footsteps slip not. To order our life and conversation
aright, we are prepared by the gospel blessing, the peace and love of God
ruling in the heart, Colossians 3:14,15. By this only can we tread
the rough ways, surmount our difficulties, and hold out to the end.
Verse 16
[16]
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked.
Above or over all - As a sort of universal
covering to every other part of the armour itself, continually exercise a
strong and lively faith. This you may use as a shield, which will quench all
the fiery darts, the furious temptations, violent and sudden injections of the
devil.
Verse 17
[17] And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:
And take for an helmet the hope of salvation — 1 Thessalonians 5:8. The head is that part which
is most carefully to be defended. One stroke here may prove fatal. The armour
for this is the hope of salvation. The lowest degree of this hope is a
confidence that God will work the whole work of faith in us; the highest is a
full assurance of future glory, added to the experimental knowledge of
pardoning love. Armed with this helmet, the hope of the joy set before him,
Christ "endured the cross, and despised the shame," Hebrews 12:2.
And the sword of the Spirit, the word of God — This Satan cannot withstand, when it is edged and wielded by faith. Till
now our armour has been only defensive. But we are to attack Satan, as well as
secure ourselves; the shield in one hand, and the sword in the other. Whoever
fights with the powers of hell will need both. He that is covered with armour
from head to foot, and neglects this, will be foiled after all. This whole
description shows us how great a thing it is to be a Christian. The want of any
one thing makes him incomplete. Though he has his loins girt with truth,
righteousness for a breastplate, his feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit; yet one thing he wants after all. What is that? It follows,
Verse 18
[18]
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Praying always — At
all times, and on every occasion, in midst of all employments, inwardly praying
without ceasing.
By the Spirit —
Through the influence of the Holy Spirit.
With all prayer —
With all sort of prayer, public, private, mental, vocal. Some are careful in
respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others. If we would have the
petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or
ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship,
far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really
above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and
continued prayer, than to offer up mental aspirations.
And supplication —
Repeating and urging our prayer, as Christ did in the garden.
And watching —
Inwardly attending on God, to know his will, to gain power to do it, and to
attain to the blessings we desire.
With all perseverance — Continuing to the end in this holy exercise.
And supplication for all the saints — Wrestling in fervent, continued intercession for others, especially for
the faithful, that they may do all the will of God, and be steadfast to the
end. Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer, because we do not intercede
enough for others.
Verse 19
[19] And
for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,
By the opening my mouth — Removing every inward and every outward hinderance.
Verse 20
[20] For
which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought
to speak.
An ambassador in bonds — The ambassadors of men usually appear in great pomp. How differently
does the ambassador of Christ appear!
Verse 21
[21] But
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:
Ye also — As
well as others.
Verse 22
[22] Whom
I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and
that he might comfort your hearts.
That he might comfort your hearts — By relating the supports I find from God, and the success of the gospel.
Verse 23
[23]
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Peace —
This verse recapitulates the whole epistle.
Verse 24
[24]
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
In sincerity — Or
in incorruption; without corrupting his genuine gospel, without any mixture of
corrupt affections. And that with continuance, till grace issue in glory.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Ephesians》
Chapter 6. Become Christ
The Sword of
the Spirit
Be Alert and Always Pray
I. The Roles of
Children and Parents
II. The Roles
of Slaves and Masters
III. Put on the
Full Armor
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Six General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
1) To understand the responsibilities of children and their fathers 2) To suggest how principles governing servants and masters can be applied to employees and their employers 3) To see the need to adorn ourselves with the whole of armor of God, that we might be strong in the power of His might, and not just our own strength SUMMARY
The final chapter begins with what might called an exhortation to "walkin familial harmony." Children are told to obey their parents, while
fathers are instructed not to provoke their children to wrath but bringthem up in the Lord's nurture and admonition. As many households in thefirst century A. D. contained servants, commands are also given on theduties of servants and their masters (1-9). The last major section of this epistle is a call to "walk in victory",with a charge to stand strong in the power of the Lord's might. To be able to withstand the wiles of the devil and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, Christians needs to adorn themselves with the whole armor of God. This armor includes such elements as truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Standing strong also requires fervent and watchful prayer, not just for one's self, but for all Christians. Even Paul solicits theirprayers that he might be bold as an ambassador in chains as he makesknown the mystery of the gospel (10-20). A brief explanation is then given concerning Tychicus, who is to let them know how Paul is doing. The epistle then concludes with a prayerfor peace to the brethren, love with faith, and grace for all who lovethe Lord Jesus Christ in all sincerity (21-24). OUTLINE
I. A CALL TO WALK IN FAMILIAL HARMONY (1-9)
A. DUTIES OF CHILDREN (1-3) 1. To obey their parents in the Lord (1) 2. To honor their father and mother, the first commandment with promise (2) 3. That they may enjoy the promise of the commandment (3) a. To do well b. To live long on the earth B. DUTIES OF FATHERS (4) 1. Do not provoke their children to wrath (4a ) 2. Bring their children up in the training and admonition of the Lord (4b) C. DUTIES OF SERVANTS (5-8) 1. Be obedient to their masters according to the flesh (5-6a ) a. With fear and trembling b. In sincerity of heart, as to Christ c. Not with eyeservice, pleasing only men, but as servants of Christ 2. Do the will of God from the heart (6b-8) a. Doing service with good will b. Serving as to the Lord, and not to men c. Knowing that whoever does good receives the same from the Lord D. DUTIES OF MASTERS (9) 1. Treat their servants in the same way (9a ) 2. Do not threaten their servants (9b) a. For their own Master is in heaven b. And there is no partiality with Him II. A CALL TO WALK IN VICTORY (10-20)
A. STAND STRONG IN THE POWER OF THE LORD (10-13) 1. A call to stand strong in the Lord, in the power of His might (10) 2. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may stand against the wiles of the devil (11) 3. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against... (12) a. Principalities and powers b. The rulers of the darkness of this age c. Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places 4. Therefore take up the whole armor of God (13) a. That you may be able to withstand in the evil day b. Having done all, to stand fast B. EQUIPPED WITH THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD (14-20) 1. Therefore stand fast with the armor of God, which includes... (14-17) a. Your waist girded with truth b. The breastplate of righteousness c. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace d. The shield of faith above all, to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one e. The helmet of salvation f. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God 2. Praying always, being watchful (18-20) a. Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit b. Being watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints c. Praying for Paul 1) That utterance may be given to him 2) That he might speak boldly, as he ought to speak a) To make known the mystery of the gospel b) For which he is an ambassador in chains III. CONCLUSION (21-24)
A. TYCHICUS AND HIS REPORT (21-22) 1. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will let them know how Paul is doing (21) 2. He has been sent to comfort their hearts (22) B. PARTING WORDS OF PEACE, LOVE, AND GRACE (23-24) 1. Peace to the brethren (23a ) 2. Love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus (23b) 3. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity (24) REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- A call to walk in familial harmony (1-9) - A call to walk in victory (10-20) - Conclusion (21-24) 2) What responsibilities do children have toward their parents? (1-2)
- Obey their parents in the Lord - Honor their father and mother 3) What promise comes with the commandment to honor one's parents? (3)
- "That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth" 4) What responsibilities does a father have toward his children? (4)
- Not to provoke them to wrath - Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord 5) In what way are servants to be obedient to their masters? (5-7)
- With fear and trembling - In sincerity of heart, as to Christ - Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers - As servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart - Serving with good will, as to the Lord and not to men 6) What should motivate a servant to this kind of service? (8)
- Knowing that what good one does will bring about the same from the Lord 7) How were masters to treat their servants? (9)
- In the same way servants were to serve their masters - Without threatening 8) What ought to motivate masters to treat their servants kindly? (9)
- Knowing that their Master is in heaven, and He shows no partiality 9) In what are Christians to be strong? (10)
- In the Lord and in the power of His might 10) How can we stand against the wiles of the devil? (11)
- By putting on the whole armor of God 11) Against what do we wrestle, if not against flesh and blood? (12)
- Principalities and powers - The rulers of the darkness of this age - Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places 12) What benefit is there to take up whole armor of God? (13)
- May be able to withstand in the evil day - Having done all, to stand 13) List the armor of God as described in verses 14-17
- Waist girded with truth - Breastplate of righteousness - Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace - Shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one - Helmet of salvation - The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God 14) What else should we add to this armor? (18)
- Praying always with watchfulness, with perseverance making supplication for all the saints 15) For what did Paul ask that they pray for in his behalf? (19-20)
- For boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel 16) How did he describe himself? (20)
- An ambassador in chains 17) Who was going to tell them more about Paul's condition? (21-22)
- Tychicus 18) How is this man described? (21)
- A beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord 19) For what does Paul pray as he closes this epistle? (23-24)
- Peace to the brethren, and love with faith - Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Displaying God's Wisdom In Our Families (5:22-6:9)
INTRODUCTION
1. Up to this point Paul has been describing how we can "have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" - Ep 4:1 2. We have seen that conduct "worthy of the calling" involves: a. Walking in unity - Ep 4:1-16 b. Walking in truth and holiness - Ep 4:17-32 c. Walking in love, walking as light and walking as wise - Ep 5:1-21 3. In what might appear at first to be an abrupt change of direction, Paul begins to describe how various family members are to conduct themselves - Ep 5:22-6:9 a. The responsibilities of wives - Ep 5:22-24 b. The responsibilities of husbands - Ep 5:25-33 c. The responsibilities of children - Ep 6:1-3 d. The responsibilities of fathers - Ep 6:4 e. The responsibilities of servants - Ep 6:5-8 f. The responsibilities of masters - Ep 6:9 4. But the subject matter is really not so abrupt as it may appear, for Paul mentioned earlier... a. How the church is to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep 3:10 b. How we are to walk in "wisdom" - Ep 5:15-17 ...and it is through family relationships that we can often do this more successfully than in any other way! 5. How can this be? Well, it is through our families that we interact so much with the society in which we live... a. Through marriage we immediately come into contact with another family (our "in-laws") b. Through children we develop relationships with those in their schools, their neighborhood, etc. 6. Thus it is through our families we have great potential to demonstrate the wisdom of God... a. The same principles that underlie the gospel message (submission, love, sacrifice, obedience, honesty, fairness) are to be displayed in our family relationships b. By example, then, we can demonstrate in our families what is truly good and right (i.e., God's will), and prepare others to be receptive to the gospel message! [Thus Paul is not abruptly changing direction, but continues to talk about those sort of things which are crucial to having a "walk worthy ofthe calling with which you were called". Consider, then, how those who "walk worthy" conduct themselves in regards to...] I. MARITAL RESPONSIBILITIES (5:22-33)
A. THE DUTY OF WIVES... (22-24) 1. They are to submit to their husbands in everything... a. Just as they are to submit to the Lord ("as to the Lord") b. Just as the church is subject to Christ 2. The reason: the husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the church a. Any time you have organization that is functional, you must have some chain of authority b. In the family, it is God's Will that the husband be the head of the wife, and that parents be over their children 3. Here is an opportunity for wives to demonstrate the wisdom and value of an important principle in God's will: that of submission! a. Jesus taught by both word and example of the importance of submission - cf. Jn 13:12-17; Mk 10:42-45 b. Indeed we all are to submit in one way or another - Ja 4:7;Ep 5:21
c. Through their submission, wives prove that God's will is best in such matters! B. THE DUTY OF HUSBANDS... (25-30) 1. They are to love their wives... a. Just as Christ loved the church, i.e., with a sacrificial love designed to bless and benefit their wives b. Just as they love their own bodies, i.e., with a love that nourishes and cherishes their wives 2. Just as the wives have the opportunity to demonstrate God's wisdom concerning submission, so husbands are given the opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love... a. As the head over His church, Jesus rules as a "benevolent monarch" b. Some think such a concept as "benevolent monarch" is impossible (as per the saying, "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely") c. But when a husband exercises his authority as head of the family with the kind of love Jesus displays while ruling over His church, they demonstrate not only the possibility, but the wisdom of a benevolent monarchy! [Indeed, the "marriage" between a man and a woman can reflect the relationship that exists between Christ and the church (31-32). But this can happen only if... 1) A husband exercises his authority with love (33a ) 2) A wife submits to her husband with respect (33b). Just as there are "marital responsibilities", so there are...] II. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (6:1-9)
A. THE DUTY OF CHILDREN... (1-3) 1. Children are to obey their parents in a way that honors them 2. There are certainly temporal benefits for such obedience ("that it may be well with you...") 3. But there are also spiritual repercussions - cf. Co 3:20 ("for this is well pleasing to the Lord") 4. And by their example, children can show the value of obedience to the commands of God B. THE DUTY OF FATHERS... (4) 1. Fathers are charged both negatively and positively.. a. DON'T provoke children to wrath (i.e., discipline without love) b. DO bring them up in the "training and admonition" of the Lord (i.e., discipline tempered with love) 2. In the world, people usually fall into two extremes of child- raising: a. Discipline without love (child abuse) b. Love without discipline (permissiveness) 3. But when fathers properly administer both love and discipline, by example they show how God raises His own children in the family of God - cf. He 12:5-11 C. THE DUTY OF SERVANTS... (5-8) 1. In the First Century A.D., servants were an intricate part of many households, which may explain Paul including instructions to them and masters in this and parallel passages - cf. Co 3:18-4:1
2. Christians who were servants were expected to exemplify the proper kind of obedience required of all Christians... a. Obedience with fear and trembling - cf. Ph 2:10 b. Obedience in sincerity of heart, as to Christ Himself c. Obedience with good will, as to the Lord d. Obedience with an understanding that the Lord is an impartial Judge 3. In this way even slaves could demonstrate by example what true obedience was according to the Will of God D. THE DUTY OF MASTERS... (9) 1. Those Christians who had slaves (like Philemon) were charged to treat their servants in very special ways: a. "do the same things to them", i.e., their treatment of slaves should be governed by the same sort of principles given to the servants... 1) "with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ" 2) "not with eyeservice...but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" 3) "with good will...as to the Lord, and not to men" 4) "knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord..." b. In particular, Christian slave-owners were to give up threatening and to remember that God shows no respect of persons 2. By their example, masters could demonstrate the proper exercise of authority, and reveal much about how our Master in heaven rules over us in the kingdom of God! CONCLUSION
1. How we conduct ourselves in our marriage and family relationships can greatly effect our efforts to make known "the manifold wisdom of God"... a. Marriages and families that are "dysfunctional" serve only to belie the claims we make about the gospel and its power to transform lives b. Whereas marriages and families based upon the teachings of God's Word can speak volumes as to the value of principles inherent in the gospel; such principles as: 1) Submitting to God and others in authority 2) Exercising authority with sacrificial love 3) Obeying those placed over us by God 4) Developing others through training and admonition, not intimidation 5) Rendering service that is sincere, not hypocritical 6) Exercising authority with justice and fairness 2. So as we endeavor to "walk worthy of the calling" that we have in Christ, let's not overlook those areas where it is most imperative to have a "worthy walk": in our marriages and families!
Standing Strong In The Armor Of God (6:10-24)
INTRODUCTION
1. "Finally, my brethren..." - With these words Paul begins to draw his epistle to a close, an epistle in which he has beautifully described: a. The Christian's possessions in Christ ("every spiritual blessing") - chapter 1 b. The Christian's position in Christ ("fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God") - chapters 2-3 c. The Christian's purpose in Christ ("to have a walk worthy of the calling") - chapters 4-6 2. To effectively carry out our "purpose", Paul's final concern is that the Christian be "strong" - Ep 6:10-20 3. In this lesson, the last of this series on Ephesians, we shall consider what Paul has to say about "Standing Strong In The Armor OfGod"
[We begin by noticing...]