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Ephesians Chapter 6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 24 Verses

What is Ephesians 6 about?

The riches of God's grace and the mystery of the church as Christ's body, culminating in the armor of God. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honor 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 nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men:
8knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
13Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
19And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may 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 with [a love] incorruptible.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, &c.] The persons whose duty this is, “children”, are such of every sex, male and female, and of every age, and of every state and condition; and though the true, legitimate, and immediate offspring of men may be chiefly respected, yet not exclusive of spurious children, and adopted ones, and of children-inlaw; and the persons to whom obedience from them is due, are not only real and immediate parents, both father and mother, but such who are in the room of parents, as step-fathers, step-mothers, guardians, nurses, &c. and all who are in the ascending line, as grandfathers,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“MUTUAL DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: MASTERS AND SERVANTS: OUR LIFE A WARFARE: THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR NEEDED AGAINST SPIRITUAL FOES. CONCLUSION. (Eph. 6:1-24) obey--stronger than the expression as to wives, "submitting," or "being subject" (Eph 5:21). 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. 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. In Col 3:20, it is, "Children, obey your parents in all…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Children - τέκνα tekna This word usually signifies those who are young; but it is used here, evidently, to denote those who were under the care and government of their parents, or those who were not of age. Obey your parents - This is the first great duty which God has enjoined on children. It is, to do what their parents command them to do. The God of nature indicates that this is duty; for he has impressed it on the minds of all in every age; and the Author of revelation confirms it. It is particularly important: (1) Because the good order of a family, and hence of the community, depends on it; no community or…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“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. Ephesians 6:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“obey: Gen 28:7, Gen 37:13; Lev 19:3; Deu 21:18; Sa1 17:20; Est 2:20; Pro 1:8, Pro 6:20; Pro 23:22, Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17; Jer 35:14; Luk 2:51; Col 3:20-25 in: Eph 6:5, Eph 6:6; Rom 16:2; Co1 15:58; Col 3:16, Col 3:17, Col 3:23, Col 3:24; Pe1 2:13 for: Neh 9:13; Job 33:27; Psa 19:8, Psa 119:75, Psa 119:128; Hos 14:9; Rom 7:12, Rom 12:2; Ti1 5:4 Ephesians 6:2”
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