Ephesians Chapter 6 concludes Paul’s letter with instructions for household relationships and a powerful call to spiritual warfare. Paul begins by addressing children and parents, encouraging children to obey their parents in the Lord, and instructing fathers not to provoke their children to anger but to bring them up in the training and instruction that comes from the Lord. He then turns to the relationship between servants and masters, urging servants to work with sincerity as though serving Christ Himself, and reminding masters to treat their servants fairly, knowing that both they and their servants are accountable to the same Master in heaven.
The chapter concludes with one of the most well known passages in the New Testament, where Paul describes the spiritual battle believers face against forces of evil and instructs them to put on the full armor of God in order to stand firm. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer in this spiritual battle, urging believers to pray at all times in the Spirit and to remain alert on behalf of all believers. The letter closes with Paul’s final greetings and a blessing of peace, love, faith, and grace upon those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6 (BBE)
1 Children, do what is ordered by your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Give honour to your father and mother (which is the first rule having a reward),
3 So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.
4 And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.
5 Servants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;
6 Not only under your master’s eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;
7 Doing your work readily, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 In the knowledge that for every good thing anyone does, he will have his reward from the Lord, If he is a servant or if he is free.
9 And, you masters, do the same things to them, not making use of violent words: in the knowledge that their Master and yours is in heaven, and he has no respect for a man’s position.
10 Lastly, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power.
11 Take up God’s instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.
12 For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.
13 For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.
14 Take your place, then, having your body clothed with the true word, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 Be ready with the good news of peace as shoes on your feet;
16 And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
17 And take salvation for your head-dress and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints,
19 And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news,
20 For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.
21 But so that you may have knowledge of my business, and how I am, Tychicus, the well-loved brother and tested servant in the Lord, will give you news of all things:
22 Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may have knowledge of our position, and that he may give comfort to your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who have true love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Important Verses
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers are instructed to raise their children with care, avoiding harshness that leads to anger, and instead nurturing them through the teaching and guidance of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God in order to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:12 Paul reminds believers that their struggle is not against physical enemies but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:14-17 Paul describes the different pieces of spiritual armor, including truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God, each representing a vital aspect of spiritual defense.
Ephesians 6:18 Paul emphasizes the importance of contin
