In today’s Bible Study of Ephesians Chapter Six, Paul provides his last instructions and final greetings to the church at Ephesus. His instructions to them also apply to us as we live out our Christian life. The Book of Ephesians is a great book for learning how to live as a Christian daily. It shares practical advice, what is necessary for salvation, and our personal interaction with people and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Children and Parents
In Ephesians 6:1-4, God, through Paul, states that children must obey their Christian parents as if the commands and requests were coming from God himself. Why? Because it is right. This statement is true if the parents act and react as Christian parents in obedience to God’s Word. The child should disobey if their parents request anything of their child that is not Biblical, righteous, or moral. The scriptures are full of these checks and balances. Children are to honor their parents, which results in good outcomes. Honoring parents is not predicated on the parent’s obedience to God’s Word. Children should honor or have a relationship of integrity with their parents. In other words, they should be honest, righteous, and conscientious in their relationship with their parents. Ephesians 6:2-3 paraphrases Exodus 20:12, the fifth commandment in the Ten Commandments.
Then God, through Paul, addresses fathers specifically. We are not to provoke our children to wrath or anger. That’s hard to do, but it can be done. Avoid barking orders without explanation. People and children need to know why, so provide a reason that you are telling them to do something. Also, prepare your children for the potential of an angry or adamant voice coming from you in case of potential danger or emergency. If a child is stepping out in front of a moving car, your children need to respond instantly. This response takes training and an explanation. “Sweetheart, if you get hit by a car, it will hurt you, or it might even kill you. So, if you hear my angry or loud voice, do exactly what I say so you can stay safe and alive.” We are to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In other words, we are to nurture – educate, train, and provide admonition (warning or mild rebuke) so our children are not angered to the point of rage or maliciousness.
Servants and Masters
Servants, or in modern terms, employees, are to obey their masters or employers as they would obey Christ. In other words, if your employer asks you to do something that is not illegal or immoral, you should do what they ask. Not to please them but to serve Christ by doing the will of God. Pleasing God will result in you doing the right thing for the right reasons. You will indirectly please your boss by purposefully pleasing God. If an employer asks you to do something illegal or immoral, you must decline that request or demand, even if it causes you to lose your job. God’s will always comes first, but if the requests or demands of your boss are legal and righteous, you are to obey them. Ephesians 6:5-8
Masters or employers must treat their employees respectfully without threatening or coercing them. God is not a respecter of persons. In other words, God doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, slave or master, employer or employee, a genius or an idiot. God wants you to obey his Holy Word without regard to who you are or your God-given place in this world. Ephesians 6:9
Armor of God
In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul asks the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord, and we must be strong in the Lord too. We are to daily, put on the armor of God so we can stand against the lies and trickery of Satan. Paul goes on to say that when we fight against Satan, we do not fight against our flesh; we fight against governments, authorities, demons, and spiritual wickedness. Our flesh, lusts, or personal choices are also corrupt, but Paul was specifically talking about our fight against the influence of Satan.
We are to put on the whole armor of God to protect us against evil.
Belt of truth | Truth |
Breastplate of righteousness | Righteousness or Holiness |
Shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace | Gospel of Jesus Christ |
Shield of Faith so we can defend ourselves | Faith |
Helmet of salvation | Salvation |
Sword of the Spirit | Word of God or KJV Bible |
We are to pray with supplication (requests) and perseverance for the saints. In other words, we are to be in a consistent state of prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul then asks the Ephesians to pray this way for him so he can continue boldly proclaiming the gospel as Christ’s ambassador. We are ambassadors of Christ and should share the gospel as boldly as Paul. Ephesians 6:18-20
Final Salutations
Paul shares some acknowledgments and final statements in Ephesians 6:21-24. Paul praised Tychicus as a beloved brother in Christ. Tychicus was not only a brother in Christ but a scribe for Paul and wrote down and delivered the letter to Ephesus. Paul also referred to him as a faithful minister in the Lord. So, Tychicus delivered the letter from Paul and shared the information and Paul’s current condition with the Ephesians.
Paul ended his letter with his best wishes for the church at Ephesus: peace, love, and faith from God the Father and Jesus Christ. He then said, "Grace (unmerited favor) be with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
Bible Study of Ephesians Chapter Six
In this Bible Study of Ephesians Chapter Six, we learned how children, employees, and employers should act and react. We learned to put on the whole armor of God to protect ourselves from Satan and the evils in this fallen world we live in. We also learned that we need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ consistently. Then Paul closed the canonized, Holy Spirit-inspired letter to the church at Ephesus by wishing them peace, love, faith, and God’s grace for all that love our Lord Jesus Christ. I also pray that these wonderful things fill the lives of all who read this bible study.
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