Ephesians 6, Relationships and the Armor of God

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.

The mention of "brother Tychicus" is the only personal note in this entire letter.  Tychicus is presumably carrying this letter to churches in the Ephesus region.

Ephesians 5, Beautiful Bride of Christ

Paul has been discussing the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts and church unity.

Ephesian 5: 1-2, Live a life of love
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Christ is our fragrant incense, our loving sacrifice!

Ephesian 5: 3-5, Practice Kingdom citizenship
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

We should focus on the kingdom of God -- and its citizenship -- living lives that reflect the purity of this (sometimes distant) kingdom.

Ephesian 5: 6-14, Rise into Light!
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Live pleasing to God, as children of Light, living in transparency.

Paul gives a quotation that includes the Messiah shining on the rising sleeper. It is not clear what he is quoting.  He may be summarizing some Old Testament passages, with the Messiah implied.  One such passage is Isaiah 60:1-2.

Ephesian 5:15-17, Keep unity
Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Part of kingdom living is to understand God's plan for the kingdom and to seek to act in consistency with that.  Indeed, an early phrase in the brief prayer that Jesus suggested to us is "Your [God's] kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven."  This desire to further God's kingdom requires wisdom and understanding of God, moving out of our past darkness.

Ephesian 5: 18-20, Filled with the Spirit
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is interesting that drunkenness is contrasted with the Holy Spirit.  In each case, one recognizes "I am not myself".  Yet, in each case, there is a tendency to throw off inhibitions and do things we may deeply wish to do.  The Christian, guided by the Holy Spirit, should be doing that in a holy or kingdom-focused direction.  Examples of what that might look like follow the instructions to "be filled with the Spirit."  Those examples also continue in the paragraph below.

Ephesian 5: 21-30, Keep unity
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- for we are members of his body.

So the Church ("Bride of Christ") and Christian marriage (Wives/Husband) are compared.  Which is the metaphor?

As a husband (of 40 years) I suggest that the main emphasis here should be mutual submission....

Ephesian 5: 31-33, Keep unity
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

The quote in verse 31 is from Genesis 2:24. Paul returns to the very beginning to give the motivation for Christian marriage -- a unity and identification of two people as one. And then Paul suggests that the marriage metaphor is to describe how the Church (consisting of kingdom citizens walking in the Holy Spirit) should react with Christ.

In the next chapter, Paul gives some practical instructions on living within these relationships.

Ephesians 4, Unity in the Spirit

Paul has just finished a second prayer in the letter, that the Gentiles may be established in faith and love.

Ephesian 4:1-3, Humility, gentleness, unity

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Paul alludes again to his imprisonment and uses it as a plea for patience, love and forgiveness.

Ephesian 4: 4-6, One
There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

There is a unity in the Church (at least in theory!) and in God and those of his kingdom.  Let's us work to strengthen this unity, not disrupt it!

Ephesian 4:7-10, Captives of Christ
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?   He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

The quote in verse 9 is from Psalm 68:18 but I find the passage unclear. The image is of one rising out of the "lower regions" (or "depths of the earth") raising all the prisoners into the light. The Christ has reached into dark dungeons and released people so that they can fly, can ascend into the heavens with Him.  This might have been a particularly important image for Paul in his imprisonment.

Ephesian 4:11-16, One body, different callings
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

If there is unity in the church, it develops out of people with different callings and different services.

Ephesian 4:17-24, Contrasting lives
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

We Gentiles, now enlightened by the Jewish Messiah, are to live new lives devoted to God.

Ephesian 4:25-28, Speak truth, without anger
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Some basic instructions for good living.  Keep anger under control -- it is occasionally, but rarely, appropriate -- and keep it short.  (Good guidance for a healthy marriage.)   Be useful, supportive of your community.

The quote in verse 26 is from Psalm 4:4.

Ephesian 4:29-32, Build; don't grieve!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Our words should be supportive, encouraging, loving. We should act in kindness, with grace and compassion.

The New Testament says little about "profanity", our modern focus on certain short words that are considered obscene.  Instead the focus in on lifting each other up.  I recommend the song Words by Hawk Nelson.  

Ephesian 3, Free Gift to the Gentiles

Paul has just finished writing about God's welcome to Gentiles, making them part of His "building", the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 3:1, Prisoner for the Gentiles
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--

This is one of two places in this letter where Paul references being a prisoner, presumably in Rome, as described by Luke at the end of the book of Acts.  

Paul's ministry, as described in the book of Acts, had become a ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and so it is for there sake that he is now in prison.

Ephesians 3:2-6, Gentiles heirs of the kingdom, with Israel!
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,  that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Although a devout Jew, Paul has now seen that God has opened up salvation and the kingdom of God to the Gentiles, allowing them full standing in this new world.

Ephesians 3:7-12, Paul's mission -- preach to the Gentiles

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Paul's life mission is to reach out to the Gentiles. Because of Christ, we Gentiles can go to God in confidence, without guilt or fear.

Ephesians 3:13, I am not discouraged!
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Circling back to the initial statement in this section, Paul assures the readers of his letter that it is OK that he is in chains.

Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul's prayer for the Gentiles
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The NIV footnotes point out that in verse 14 the Greek words for "father" and "family" have the same derivation: pater and patria.

This is the second prayer that appears in the letter.  It is similar in some ways to the prayer in chapter 1, asking that the readers gain in knowledge and understanding of Jesus and then that that knowledge lead to consistency in faith and love.

Ephesians 2, Peace with God

Paul is describing the position Christians have been given by Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-3, Objects of wrath

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Everyone, regardless of religious upbringing, has a selfish "sinful nature", opposed to the plans of God.

Ephesians 2:4-7, Lifted up to heaven

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

But the Gospel is all about lifting up these strange selfish human creatures (like me!) to the riches of God. This passage has a lot to say about God's longterm plan -- there are ages to come in which we are involved in these "incomparable riches".

Ephesians 2:8-10, Saved by grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Salvation (relationship with God) is a gift made possible through the Messiah, Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11-13, Even Gentiles!

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)--  remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Even the pagan non-Jews, the Gentiles, can have this gift!  Most of the recipients of Paul's letter are in that category.

Ephesians 2:14-16, Peace, destroying hostility

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

The old human (going back to Adam), controlled by the flesh (and the law) has been redeemed and restored, turned into a new man.  The old hostility with Go and been replaced by peace.

Ephesians 2:17-18, Access to God

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

And now, with that peace, comes free access to God and the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22, Fellow citizens and members of God's household

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

A new building, a new kingdom is being built, with Jesus as the foundation stone. We are part of it!

Paul's Letter to the Church in Ephesus

Paul letter to the church in Ephesus was most likely a letter sent to a number of churches in the region around Ephesus.  (Indeed, some ancient manuscripts do not include Ephesus in the greeting.) Some have argued that issues discussed here fit better with the church in Laodicea and it is possible that this letter circulated in western Asia Minor (now western Turkey, near the Aegean Sea) to cities such as Ephesus and Laodicea.  In addition, unlike other letters of Paul, there are no personal greetings or instructions, as if he does not have a particular congregation in mind.  He mentions, at the end of the letter, that he is sending Tychicus with the letter, but that is the only personal note in the letter.

Tradition has it that the letter to Ephesus, like the letter to the church in Colossae, was written while Paul was in prison in Rome, awaiting trial.  (In chapter 3, Paul calls himself a "prisoner for Christ"; towards the end of the letter, he mentions that he is "in chains".)

Wikipedia has a good entry here.  One theme of the letter is instructions on how Gentile believers should live as members of the kingdom of God.

OverviewBible.com has a good summary of the letter here.

There is, of course, a nice summary, including a summary video at the Bible Project. That 9-minute video is easy to watch and carries lots of information.

The letter of Ephesians naturally breaks into two parts. Much like the letter to the Romans, the first half (chapters 1-3) is theory and the second half (chapters 4-6) is application of the theory to daily living.