Ephesians

Book: Ephesians

Background:

The gospel first reached the Ephesians on Paul's second
missionary journey, when he briefly reasoned with the Jews
(Acts 18:19-22). He returned on a third journey, and
ministered three years, first with Jews in the synagogue,
where he boldly tried to persuade them "about the kingdom of
God" (19:8; NAS), then daily in the school of Tyrannus, where
the Word spread to all Asia (9-10). After Demetrius (an idol
maker whose business declined with the preaching of the
gospel) stirred up legal troubles, Paul moved on to Macedonia.
From Miletus, he sent for the elders of Ephesus, and recounted
his character, conduct, and gospel teaching among them. He
gave a final warning to watch out for false teachers, and
commended them "to God and to the word of His grace, which is
able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all
those who are sanctified" (20:17-38; NAS). This was
apparently his last contact with the Ephesians, until this
epistle.

Purpose:

"...that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that
you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what
is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who
believe" (1:18-19a).

Contents:

Chapters 1 - 3 describe the position, wealth, and purpose of
the universal church, "in Christ". Chapters 4 - 6 explain how
the church, in light of it's blessed position, should "walk"
in various relationships.

Theme:

Christ's body, the church.

Outline:

1. Its wealth (1 - 3)

2. Its walk (4 - 6)

Text: Ephesians 1

Theme: Christ's body, the church.

1. Its wealth (1 - 3)
A. Election (1:1-4)
B. Predestination (1:5-6)
C. Redemption (1:7-10)
D. Inheritance (1:8-12)
E. Sealing (1:13-14)
F. Power (1:15-23)

God the Father is "blessed". This is a compound word coming
from two roots, "well", and "spoken". It means we should
"speak well" of God the Father, because He has "blessed us
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus" (3).

In John 14:20 and 17:21-23, Christ predicted believers would
be placed in Him, and He in them. Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 12
and Ephesians 2 - 3 say God the Spirit baptizes, unites, or
places believers into Christ, making them one with each other
and God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 teaches this "position" includes
the benefit of having Christ's righteousness imputed to our
account, and our sin to Christ's account. Since all believers
are "in Christ", they are already "saints" [consecrated to
God, separated from sin] in their spiritual standing before
God (1). Ephesians one lists several other blessings of the
believer's position "in Christ".

Election (1:1-4):

The doctrine of election is offensive to many people. This
may be because the unsaved nature is at enmity with God
(Romans 7:23; 8:5-8), does not want to acknowledge God is
sovereign (cf. Daniel 4; *4:25), and because a sovereign God
eliminates man's ability to secure his own salvation, or boast
of his merit (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 9:16-24; Ephesians
2:8-10). Even so, election was among the first doctrines
Christ taught those the Father drew to Him (John 6).

God "chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the
world" (4; NAS). This means God sovereignly selected whom He
wanted to save apart from any merit in the one elected. There
are at least several reasons God must be the one who chooses
believers to salvation: 1) Because He is sovereign (John 1:13;
Romans 9; Ephesians 1:11,22).

If God had to elect people, He would cease to be sovereign,
and would be under the authority of men. 2) Because this is
the only way to glorify His grace (Romans 11:5-6; Ephesians
2:1-10). If man were able to choose God, he could boast, and
God would not get all the glory for saving him.

To prevent man from glorying before God, salvation must be
entirely the act of God, including the decision of whether or
not to impart saving faith (John 1:13; Romans 9:16ff). 3)
Because man is spiritually dead, and therefore unable to
respond to God, unless God makes him alive (Romans 3:9-18;
Ephesians 2:1-7; cf. John 6:44, 65, 70; 11:43-44).

As a man cannot give birth to himself (John 1:13; 3), and
cannot bring himself to life from the dead (John 11), so he
cannot, in his spiritually dead condition, even so much as
choose to trust Christ (John 1:13; Romans 9:16; Eph. 2:1-10).
4) Because man, in his unregenerate state, is unwilling to
trust God (Romans 3;9-18; 8:5-8).

Even if unsaved men were able to make a decision for, or trust
Christ, they would never do it, but would oppose it with all
their might. 5) Because only a sovereign God can insure man's
ultimate salvation (Romans 8:28-39). If God did not work "all
things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11), He could
not insure the fulfillment of His plan for believer's eternal
salvation.

Romans 9:16-24 anticipates man will object to the fact that he
can only be saved if God chooses Him, and that he will be lost
forever if God does not. The only answer it gives is that God
is sovereign, can do whatever He wants with His creation, and
that man does not have the right to question His creator.
Because man is a sinner, God is not obligated to save anyone,
but would be perfectly just in sending everyone to an eternal
hell (Romans 1-3; 2 Thess. 1:8-9). It is only because He is
merciful that He saves anyone at all (Romans 9; Ephesians
2:4). The great benefit of election to a believer, however,
is that it insures Him of God's unconditional love, and his
ultimate salvation (Romans 8:28-39).

Predestination (1:5-6):

This means God pre-determined, planned, or marked out the
boundaries of our destiny, beforehand. The goal of God's
pre-determined plan for those He decided to save in eternity
past, is that they be become "holy and blameless before Him"
(4), adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ (5), "accepted
in the beloved" [Christ] (6) and that they thus glorify His
grace (unmerited favor). God's predestination of believers
insures them of their ultimate salvation (cf. Romans 8:28-39),
and God of eternal glory (Eph. 1:12; 2:7; 3:21).

Redemption (1:7-10):

Christ's bloody death frees the believer from the penalty of
sin (Galatians 3:13; cf. 2 Thess. 1:8-9), power of sin in his
daily life (Romans 6 - 8:17), and ultimately from the presence
of sin in glory (Romans 8:18-39). This redemption is of such
universal power and scope, that it brings all things material
and spiritual under the authority and headship of Christ,
something which will be fully demonstrated in His millennial
and eternal kingdom on earth (1 Corinthians 15:20-28;
Ephesians 1:10, 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:20; cf.
Revelation 20 - 22). This does not mean all men will be
saved, for Revelation speaks of multitudes being cast into the
lake of fire. Rather it means believers are free from sin,
and that all things are summed up under the authority of one
head--Christ.

Inheritance (1:8-12):

The believer's inheritance in Christ includes freedom from the
presence of our corrupt sin nature, sorrow, sickness, and
suffering (Romans 7:24; 8:18-25; Revelation 21-22), the hope
of a new spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:35-57), eternal
glory (Romans 8:18, 28-30; 1 Peter 1:7, 8; 5:1, 4, 10;
Revelation 21-22), and an eternal dwelling in Christ's
presence in New Jerusalem (John 14; Revelation 21-22), etc.
Also, believers will become the inheritance, or heritage of
God, since His purpose in providing all these benefits to us
is ultimately "to the end that we who were the first to hope
in Christ should be to the praise of His glory" (Eph.
1:11-12).

Sealing (1:13-14):

Since God's purpose in providing these benefits to believers
is to secure for Himself a trophy for the eternal display of
His grace, He seals them in Christ with the Holy Spirit (13).
The Spirit indwells believers the moment they hear and rely
upon the gospel, serving as a down payment to insure the
completion of their salvation (14; cf. Romans 8:23-39), and
that God receive eternal glory.

Power (1:15-23):

Paul prayed God would give the church enlightenment, so they
might know "what is the hope of His [God's] calling, what are
the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
[above], and [now] the surpassing greatness of His power
toward us who believe" (18-19). God's ability to deliver us
from the penalty, power, and presence of sin, and to bestow
the riches of His inheritance, was demonstrated when He raised
Christ from the dead (cf. Romans 1:4), seated Him at His right
hand, and placed all things in subjection under His [Christ's]
feet. Creation of the material universe is described as the
work of God's fingers (Psalm 8:3), but saving man from sin
required His "right arm" (Isaiah 52:10; Psalm 98:1).

Since the believer, by the Spirit, has been so united to
Christ as to have "died with Him to sin", and to have been
"raised with Him to newness of Life" (Romans 6), the power of
Christ's resurrection not only frees him from the penalty of
sin, but is also available to give him victory over the power
of sin in his daily life, and ultimately to deliver him from
the very presence of his sin nature (Romans 6 - 8). God's
power (manifested in the resurrection of Christ) brings all
things material and spiritual under the authority and headship
of Christ. This headship will be demonstrated over the whole
universe in His millennial and eternal kingdom (Rev 20-21),
but is now shown through His body, the church.

Text: Ephesians 2

Theme: Christ's body, the church.

1. Its wealth (1 - 3)
G. Life (2:1-10)
H. Unity (2:11 - 3:21)

Life (1-10):

Before we trusted Christ as Savior, we had only a fallen
nature, were spiritually dead toward God, and were children of
His wrath (1-3). This was evident because we walked in the
disobedient ways of the Satanically energized and controlled
world system (2; cf. 1 John 5:19), by indulging in the sinful
things our fallen nature craved and thought about (3; cf.
Romans 3:9-18). As spiritual corpses, we were unable to
respond favorably to God.

God, however, even when we were dead in our sins, made us
alive together with Christ, raised us up with Him, and seated
us with Him in the heavenly places (5-6). At the moment of
salvation, God the Spirit (and Christ) indwells us (Eph. 1:13;
cf. John 14:17-20; 17:21-23; Colossians 1:27), imparting the
eternal life of Christ (John 3:15-16; 1 John 5:11-13, 20) and
giving us a new, living, spiritual nature (John 3:3ff.; 2
Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15).

Romans 6 says the Spirit of God places (baptizes) believers
into Christ, so uniting them to His person and work, that they
have spiritually and positionally died with Him to sin, and
been raised with Him to newness of life (6:4). Since God
raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand
(Eph. 1:20), and since believers are "in" Christ, christians
are (presently, spiritually and positionally) seated with
Christ in heaven.

God's main goal in providing this life to the church, is to
display an eternal trophy of His grace (7). (cf. 1:6, 12, 14;
2:7) . For Him to get all the glory for our salvation, we
must be kept from boasting (8-9). This passage shows that,
our salvation, and the good works we do once saved, all come
by the grace of God, through faith, not our merits (8-10).

Since we were spiritually dead when God made us alive
in Christ, we were unable to respond favorably to God, so He
gets all the credit for our saving faith in Christ. Because
God is the one who created them beforehand, He also gets all
credit for the good works we do after we're saved, as He works
in us both to will and do of His pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
There is no room for man to boast about any aspect salvation.
Eternal glory belongs to God the gracious.

Unity (11-22)

Gentiles, as a whole, were formerly excluded from Israel as
partakers of God's promise of salvation, and further separated
from fellowship with Jews by the OT Law. All men are
separated from God by sin (Romans 3). The bloody death of
Christ, however effected a change which makes all believers
one with each other (11-15) and God (16-22), through faith in
Christ (cf. John 17:21-23).

Christ's death makes believers one with each other (11-15). In
the OT, God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham, which
included "blessing" (salvation through faith in Christ
[Genesis 12:3; 15:1ff.; cf. Galatians 3:8]). In Genesis 17,
He gave circumcision as a sign that Abraham, by faith, was an
heir of this promise (Genesis 15:6; cf. Romans 4:9-13).

Circumcision, then, became a sign that Jews were heirs
of God's salvation, but uncircumcised Gentiles were excluded.
The OT Law also separated Gentiles from fellowship with Jews.
In Acts 10:9 - 11:18, for example, God had to show Peter he
could now eat food the Gentiles ate, and enter their
houses--something the OT Law prohibited (Leviticus 11:20-25;
cf. Galatians 2:7; 3:13-14).

Christ was the "seed" of Abraham, through whom the promise of
"blessing" would come to "all nations", (Genesis 12:3;
Galatians 3:16), and His death abolishes the curse of the OT
Law (Galatians 3:13). The Spirit, by faith in Christ,
circumcises all believer's hearts (Romans 2:29), and brings
believing Gentiles into one body with Jews, as God's heirs and
people--the church (Eph. 2:18-22; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13;
Romans 11; Galatians 3:14, 23-29). Christ's death makes
believers one with each other.

Christ's death also makes believers one with God in Christ
(Ephesians 2:16-22). The death of Christ paid the price
(redemption) which satisfied God's righteous demands against
the sin of man ("propitiation": Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 2:1).
This change in man's condition enables God to be at peace
(Romans 5:1-11) and one with those who trust Christ as Savior
("reconciliation": cf. 2 Cor. 5:14, 18-21).

Text: Ephesians 3

Theme: Christ's body, the church.

1. Its wealth (1 - 3)
H. Unity (2:11 - 3:21)

God gave Paul the ministry of proclaiming the gospel mystery
("formerly hidden truth") to Gentiles (1-5). Although the OT
said God would bless "all nations" (Genesis 12:3) through
Abraham's "seed" (Christ [Galatians 3:15-16]), the hidden
truth ("mystery") was that in so doing, He would make them
into one spiritual body (the church), with believing Jews, as
partakers of the promise (cf. Galatians 3:8, 13-14).

God's purpose in this plan, was to make the church an eternal
trophy of His multi-faceted wisdom and grace to the angelic
creatures. It was carried out in the person of Christ (cf.
Galatians 3:13-14, 23-29), in whom we have confident access to
God's throne of grace, in prayer (cf. Hebrews 4:14-16).

Since, in Christ, we have this bold access to God, Paul
concludes the doctrinal part of this letter with a prayer that
God would strengthen the church spiritually, that Christ would
be at home in their lives, that they, having been rooted and
grounded in love (a past act with continuing results), would
comprehend the scope of Christ's love (that it surpasses
knowledge), and thus be filled to the measure of all the
fulness of God.

This is the wealth of the church "in Christ".

Text: Ephesians 4

Theme: Christ's body, the church.

2. Its Walk (4 - 6)
A. In unity (4:1-16)
B. In holiness (4:17-32)

Having described the position, wealth, and purpose of the
church "in Christ" (1 - 3), chapters 4 - 6 now entreat the
body to walk worthy of this calling.

Believers should walk in unity (1-16):

Since they are, positionally, one body in Christ (4; cf. 2:11
- 3:21), and share "one Spirit, hope of eternal salvation,
Lord, faith, baptism, and God and Father, believers should
keep this unity (i.e. walk in "equal weight" to their position
as one in Christ). But how?

First, by putting up with ("forbearing") each other (2). This
requires an attitude of humility. Humility is an accurate,
sober evaluation of one's condition, which does not think more
highly of self than it ought, credits God for any benefits,
and acknowledges God's working in others as well (cf. Romans
12:3). Christ showed humility by yielding His rights, obeying
God, and serving believers (Philippians 2:6-11).

"Forbearing" also requires an attitude of "gentleness". This
involves the concept, not of weakness, but of controlling
one's power toward others. Paul contrasted the concept of
meekness with coming to the Corinthians with a rod of
corrective discipline (2 Corinthians 1:23-24; cf. 10:1;
13:10). In addition to humility, gentleness is closely
associated with "patience", a final attitude required in
putting up with others. In the same example, Paul delayed his
visit to Corinth, to give the offending parties time to change
their mind and conduct.

Next, you walk in unity by speaking the truth in love (7-16).
Although Romans 12 mentions gifts God gives to individual
believers to build up the body, this passage seems to
emphasize that Christ has given "men", as gifts to the church.
The apostles and prophets were gifts who were instrumental in
God's inspiration of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; cf. 2 Peter
1:21; 2 Peter 3:15-16), and pastor/teachers now feed, guide,
and oversee the church with God's Word (1 Peter 5:1ff.).

This ministry of "truth" (cf. John 17:17) should equip each
believer to serve and "speak the truth in love" to other
members of the body in a way that builds up the entire church
(16; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). The end
result is that the body becomes grounded in God's Word, is no
longer carried about or deceived by every strange wind of
false teaching, and grows into the fulness of its
head--Christ.

Believers should walk in Holiness (17-32).

Although, in his position in Christ, the believer has died to
sin, been raised to newness of life (Romans 6), and received a
new spiritual nature from God (Eph. 4:24; cf. John 3; 14; 2
Corinthians 5:17), he needs to continue to yield himself, to
the fruit bearing ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life
(Romans 6:12-13; 8:1-17; Galatians 5:16-26).

Unsaved Gentiles, as we once did, walk in the "futility of
their mind". This means their thoughts aim at and lead them to
a goal which is empty of real value. Since they are darkened
in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because
of their ignorance, and hardened in their hearts (18), they
have become "callous, have given themselves over to
sensuality", and therefore "practice every kind of impurity
with greediness" (19; cf. Romans 1:19ff.).

Believers, however, have "been created in righteousness and
holiness of the truth" (24). 1 Peter 1:23 says the Word of
God is the seed by which they are "born again". Jesus said
God's Word is the truth which sets them free (John 8:32), and
sanctifies us (17:17). 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 says God makes
them new, righteous creatures in Christ. As such, believers,
in contrast to Gentiles and their old way of life, should
continue to "be renewed in the spirit of their mind". But how
do you walk in holiness?

By speaking the truth (25). Throughout the Psalms, we have
record of times David pleaded with God for help on account of
his enemies who tried to destroy him with lying words.
Proverbs 26:28 tells us that "a lying tongue hates those it
crushes". Laying aside falsehood, believers should walk in
holiness by speaking the truth in love (cf. Eph. 4:15).

By controlling your anger (26-27). "Be angry and do not sin;
do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the
Devil an opportunity." The word "angry", in verse 26, is a
different word than in 27. It refers to a permanent, settled,
righteous hatred for sin. This is the type of anger Jesus
showed when He made a scourge and drove the money changers
from the temple (John 2:13-17), God expresses toward immoral
pagans (Romans 1:18), and God's authorities avenge upon
"evildoers" (Romans 13:4). "Anger" in verse 27, however,
means an irritated, exasperated, embittered attitude. A
believer should show a righteous hatred for sin, but not hold
a bitter grudge.

By working to share (28). Rather than steal, believers should
work with their own hands, so they will not only have enough
to meet their expenses, but also to share with those who are
in need.

By guarding your speech (29-30). Rather than say things which
will corrupt others, thereby grieving the Holy Spirit who
indwells us (30), a believer, (according to the need of the
moment) should say things which will serve to build believers
in the faith and likeness of Christ

By forgiving each other (31-32). This involves putting away
malice" (general ill will), which includes "bitterness" (a
cutting or stinging hatred which "springing up causes trouble"
and defiles "many" [Hebrews 12:15]), "wrath" (a heated,
smoldering passion which breaks forth in boiling, vengeance),
"clamor" (lit. to cry like a raven, croak like a frog, or
clang on a metal object), and "slander" (injurious speech).
Positively, forgiving carries the idea of releasing others
from debt with a "tender hearted", giving ("kind") attitude.

Text: Ephesians 5

Theme: Christ's body, the church.

2. Its Walk (4 - 6)
C. In love (5:1-6)
D. In light (5:7-14)
E. In wisdom (5:15-6:9)

Because of their position in Christ, Paul charges the church
to walk in love (1-2), light (3-14), and wisdom (15-33).

Believers should walk in love (1-2). As great High Priest,
Christ offered Himself, in the place of sinners, as a spotless
sacrifice to God (2; cf. Hebrews 9:14; John 10:11,15, 17-18).
His voluntary death, typified as a sweat aroma (cf. Lev.
1:17), released and made available His righteousness, to the
meritless sinner who trusts Him as Savior (2 Corinthians
5:21). As Christ loved and gave Himself up for us (cf.
Galatians 2:20; John 3:14-16), so believers should give
themselves for the well being of others (cf. Eph. 5:25).

Believers should walk in light (3-14). Rather than practice
immorality, impurity, greed, filthiness, silly talk, or coarse
jesting, the believer should give thanks to God (3-4). Those
whose lives are characterized by immorality or greed, reveal
they are not really saved, have no inheritance with believers
in heaven, and are slated for God's wrath (5-6). By refusing
to participate in the evil deeds of the world, and by giving
thanks to God, the believer, like light, exposes such shameful
deeds of darkness (7-14; cf. 4:18ff.).

Believers should walk in wisdom (15-33). In contrast to the
"foolish" deeds above, believers should make the most of their
time (15-16). To do this, you need to understand God's will
(17), and this means yielding to the Spirit's control, rather
than the influence of alcohol (18). A believer who yields to
the Spirit's control (cf. Romans 6 - 8:16), will, himself,
sing in psalms (lit. "a twanging", perhaps OT Psalms put to
stringed music), hymns (probably songs which praise or extol
the deeds of God [such as the saving benefits He has wrought
for us in Christ--Eph. 1 - 3]), and spiritual songs
(pertaining to the spiritual realm, rather than songs of the
world). Colossians describes this as "wisdom", since it
allows the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly you richly
(3:16), and teaches and admonishes other believers. The Spirit
filled believer gives thanks to God the Father for all things,
and ranks himself under other believers (Luke 22:21-27; cf.
John 13:1-17).

In addition to a believer's general, humble attitude toward
one another, there are specific relationships which require a
one-way submission. This includes wives to husbands (22-24),
children to parents (6:1-4), and slaves to masters (6:5-9).

Wives should submit (lit. "to place or rank one's self under")
to their husbands. The basis for this self submission is that
God has made man the head of the wife, just as Christ is the
head of the church (23; cf. 1:19-23; 1 Corinthians 11:3). 1
Peter 3:1-6 illustrates a proper attitude of submission:

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own
husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the
word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their
wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
And let not your adornment be merely external--braiding the
hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let
it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable
quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the
sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women
also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being
submissive to their own husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do
what is right without being frightened by any fear" (NAS).

Husbands, on the other hand, are instructed to love their
wives (25-33). A husband loves his wife by giving himself up
for her, just as Christ did for the church (cf. comments on
5:2). Since His goal was to present Himself with a holy and
blameless bride (25-27), Christ took the place of sinners,
dying on the cross, and providing a righteous grounds for
cleansing believers (Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 1) through
faith in God's preached Word (26; cf. John 17:14-17; Romans
10:8, 17; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 9:14).

In the same way, a husband should love his wife. Treating her
like his own flesh, he should "nourish" ("feed"), and
"cherish" ("keep warm") her (28-29). Since the Word of God is
the agent of a believer's spiritual birth (John 3), cleansing
(1 Peter 1:21-23), and nourishment (1 Peter 2:2-3), it does
seem that a husband should, among other things, give himself
in a Bible ministry to his wife.

The institution of marriage illustrates the relationship of
Christ to the church. As a husband becomes one flesh with his
wife, so the church becomes one with Christ, as His bride and
body (30-33; cf. 1:22-23; John 3:29; 14:16-20; 17:21, 23; 2
Corinthians 11:2).

Because of their position in Christ, Paul charges the church
to walk in love, light, and wisdom.

Text: Ephesians 6

Theme: Christ's body, the church

2. It's Walk (3-6)
E. In wisdom (5:15-6:9)
F. In Warfare (6:10-20)
Conclusion (6:21-24)

Verses 1-9, stating that children should obey their parents
and slaves their masters, concludes instructions about walking
in wisdom. Verses 10-20 show how to defend against spiritual
attacks which will come as the believer tries to walk
according to their position in Christ. Verses 21-24 give
closing remarks.

In Wisdom (1-9)

Children should obey their parents. The word for children,
here, means "offspring", and is not necessarily limited to
minors, although the following instruction about fathers
bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord seems to suggest this. In Matthew 15:3-6, while
refuting the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus pointed out that
they made their own way around God's command to honour father
and mother (Exodus 20:12). Apparently they taught that a
person could be excused from meeting their parents material
needs, by claiming their possessions were "Corban", that is a
gift "set aside for God's service". This allowed them to keep
their possessions, and thus "honour not his father or his
mother". The instruction to obey parents is of primary
importance, and carries the promise of long life (Ex. 20:12),
a general benefit of such discipline (cf. Eli's sons [1 Samuel
4:11]). In Acts 5:29, however, Peter shows that one obeys God,
rather than men, if our earthly authorities command us to do
something which clearly contradicts God's will.

Fathers should not provoke children to anger, but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (4). The word
for provoking to anger, here, is also used in Romans 10:19,
where God provokes Israel to jealousy and anger by opening the
door of salvation to the Gentiles. Colossians 3:21 shows that
one reason for this instruction is also so that children do
not "loose heart" (NAS). "Nurture" means to bring up, feed,
or nourish. "Admonition" comes from roots meaning "the mind",
and "lay". It probably refers to giving them spiritual
instruction like that in Ephesians.

Slaves should obey masters (5-9). In Paul's day, slavery
existed, and he didn't oppose it (5-9; cf. 1 Corinthians
7:21-24). He here instructs christian slaves of christian
masters to obey, as they would Christ, with trembling, and
sincerity, not just when masters are looking, because the Lord
would return the favor (8). He instructs masters to treat
slaves right, not threatening them, since Christ is the master
of both.

In Warfare (10-20)

Many explanations have been offered about what the armor of
God is and how to put it on. It does not seem that Paul, in
the closing verses of the epistle, would introduce, without
explanation, a new body of doctrine, but that he expected the
Ephesians to understand what he meant. The context of the
book should guide the interpretation of this passage. What
insight, then, does Ephesians offer?

The first three chapters were devoted to showing us our wealth
and position in Christ. The second half of the book shows how
to walk in accord with that position. It seems, then, that
putting on this armor would involve understanding (1:18;
3:14-19), relying upon, and bearing the fruit of (5:9) our
spiritual wealth in Christ.

The emphasis is on being strong in God's power. We cannot
wage spiritual warfare in the strength of our flesh (cf.
Romans 7-8:16). This is because we wrestle not against flesh
and blood (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:2-5), but against the Devil,
his schemes, his spiritual forces, and our own darkened,
depraved, deadened, fallen nature (2:1-3; cf. "flesh" [Romans
7-8:16]). The armor consists of our wealth and position in
Christ. Putting on the armor of God may imply understanding,
relying upon, and bearing the fruit (by the Spirit [cf. Eph.
5:9]) of our spiritual position and wealth in Christ (cf.
Romans 6:1-13). The armor of God that believers should put on
consists of:

Truth:

This word for truth is used six times in the epistle. It
seems, then, that God's armor of truth is the gospel of Christ
we trust for salvation (1:13), which makes us stable, enables
us to discern doctrinal error, and promotes the growth of the
body (4:14-15), which exposes the deceitful lusts of our old
nature (4:21), and through which the Spirit bears the fruit of
righteousness in our daily lives (for example, telling our
neighbor the truth instead of lies [4:25]).

Righteousness

This word occurs three times. In 4:24, it describes the
God-like character in which our new nature has been created.
In 5:9, it is the fruit the Spirit bears in our lives, which
leads us to refuse sinful ways, and walk in righteous ways. It
may then refer to the imputed righteousness of Christ to the
believer (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21), as well as the fruit of
righteousness the Spirit works in our lives, with the
resulting righteous conduct (avoiding sin, doing right) of
that fruit.

Faith

Described as being important, "above all", the same word for
"faith" is used eight times in this epistle. It relates to
saving trust in the gospel (1:13; 2:8; 3:6), confidence in
Christ which gives us bold access to God in prayer (3:12), the
means by which Christ makes Himself at home in our lives
(3:17), and the objective body of doctrine we believe ("one
faith" [4:5]) and grow in the knowledge of ("unity of faith"
[4:13]).

Helmet of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8, another passage describing spiritual
armor, instructs to put on "for an helmet, the hope of
salvation". There, the hope was the fact that God has not
ordained believers to endure God's wrath, but that He would
rapture the church prior to the great tribulation of
Revelation 4 - 19. Ephesians describes the believer's hope as
that of an eternal inheritance in Christ. Romans 8 insures
believers of the hope of the future redemption of their
bodies, and that nothing will be able to separate them from
the love of God in Christ.

Sword of the Spirit

This is clearly identified as the Word of God. Romans 10:17
describes this as the preached Word of Christ, by which God
imparts saving faith. Ephesians 4 says this truth is what
enables us to discern false teaching, become rooted and
grounded in faith, grow into the spiritual maturity of Christ,
and build one another up as we speak the truth in love (12-15;
cf. 2 Timothy 3:15-17). In Matthew 4, Christ used Scripture to
resist the spiritual attacks and deceit of the Devil. Hebrews
4:12-13 says the Word of God is quick, powerful, sharper than
any two edged sword, and is able to discern the thoughts and
intentions of our hearts. John 17:17 says God's word is the
truth which sanctifies us.

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Since the Christian is here told to stand against the attack
which the Devil will bring to him, the sandals may be a source
of protection for the feet, rather than an active ministry of
going out and taking people from Satan's domain with the
gospel. If so, it may refer to our positional peace with God
through faith in Christ's atonement for our sins (Ephesians
2:16-18; cf. Romans 5:1), which (atonement) makes unity with
other believers (2:14-15), and gives peace of mind toward God
(Romans 5:1ff.).

Prayer

Believers should pray at all times, in the Spirit, and be
keeping alert ("persistent") in their petition for the saints
in general. Paul requested they pray for him specifically,
i.e. that God would give him bold utterance of the gospel. The
concept of "boldness", hear, can mean "without fear", or "with
clarity"

Concluding remarks (21-24). Writing from prison, Paul sent
Tychicus to inform them of his circumstances. He wishes
peace, love, faith, and Grace to all believers who love Christ
with a love incorruptible.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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