Ephesians
Chapter 6
Overview
Paul closes his letter by bringing its big ideas into ordinary relationships: children and parents, enslaved people and their masters, and fellow believers supporting one another. The Roman world gave household heads enormous power, but Paul reminds everyone that they answer to the same Lord, who shows no favoritism. He then pictures the struggle against evil as a battle requiring God’s full armor—not metal and muscle, but truth, justice, trust, peace, salvation, God’s message, and persistent prayer. The chapter ends with personal news and a warm farewell shaped by peace, love, faith, and grace.
1Children, obey your parents as those who belong to the Lord, because this is the right thing to do.
2“Honor your father and your mother.” This is the first command that comes with a promise:
3“Then things will go well for you, and you will live a long time on the earth.”
4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. Instead, raise them with the training and guidance that come from the Lord.
5Those of you who are enslaved, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and sincere hearts, as you would obey the Messiah.
6Do not work hard only when someone is watching, merely to win human approval. Instead, serve as slaves of the Messiah who wholeheartedly do what God wants.
7Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord rather than people.
8You know that the Lord will repay each person for whatever good that person does, whether enslaved or free.
9Masters, treat enslaved people by these same principles, and stop threatening them. You know that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and he shows no favoritism.
10Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
11Put on all the armor God provides so that you can stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
12Our struggle is not against human beings. It is against spiritual rulers and authorities, against the powers that rule this darkness, and against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore, take up all the armor God provides. Then, when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist. After doing everything required, you will still be standing firm.
14So stand firm. Fasten truth around your waist like a soldier’s belt, and put on doing what is right like a breastplate.
15Fit your feet with the readiness that comes from the good news of peace.
16In every situation, take up trust in God like a shield. With it you will be able to put out all the evil one’s flaming arrows.
17Receive salvation as your helmet, and take the sword given by God’s Spirit—that is, God’s message.
18Pray in God’s Spirit at every opportunity, using every kind of prayer and request. Stay alert and keep praying persistently for all God’s people.
19Pray for me too. Ask God to give me the right words when I speak, so that I can boldly explain the once-hidden truth contained in the good news.
20I represent this good news as an ambassador, even though I am in chains. Pray that I will speak about it as boldly as I should.
21Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful servant of the Lord, will tell you everything about how I am and what I am doing, so that you too will know my situation.
22I am sending him to you for this very reason: so that you may learn how we are doing and so that he may encourage you.
23May God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah give peace, love, and faith to all the brothers and sisters.
24May God’s grace be with everyone who loves our Lord Jesus the Messiah with a love that never dies.