Paul has just been talking about marriage and the Church; one is a metaphor for the other. Now he has advice about a number of relationships.
Ephesian 6:1-4, Keep unity
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
The quote in verse 3 is from Deuteronomy 5:16.
As a teenager I appreciated the advice about father's not "exasperating" their children. It is easy for a parent to lecture on "obedience to parents" but Paul's last comment recognizes that power can create frustration, exasperation, fatigue in the powerless.
Ephesian 6:5-9, Keep unity
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Paul's advice to Christians makes no attempt to overthrow the current social structure, at least not in any overt way. Here he seems to accept the Roman empire's slave environment but then gives guidance on how to live within it in constructive ways. This is clearest in his letter to Philemon (probably written about the same time) in which Paul expresses the hope that Philemon will free his slave, Onesimus, as that freedom is best for both.
Ephesian 6:10-18, The armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Paul uses the armor of a Roman soldier as a metaphor for spiritual battle, describing a number of spiritual weapons that one might use to survive, even grow in spiritual warfare.
Ephesian 6: 19-20, Keep unity
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may
declare it fearlessly, as I should.
This is the third or fourth time that Paul's imprisonment is mentioned. Even here, Paul seeks to be an ambassador.
Ephesian 6:21-24, Keep unity
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
No comments:
Post a Comment