Introductory remarks:
"The apostle, after expounding the duties that spring out of the conjugal [marital] relation, as one sphere in which the maxim [saying or proverb] - submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ - came into operation, naturally turns to another and kindred sphere of domestic life, and addresses himself to children. And he does not speak about them, or tell their parents of them, but he looks them in the face, and lovingly says to them - 'children.' It is plainly implied that children were supposed by him to be in the sanctuary [or home, or wherever] when this epistle was read, or to be able to read it for themselves, when it should be transcribed and circulated" (Eadie).
"Paul urges obedience of children and servants of fathers and masters. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the Word of God comprise the armor of God needed to battle the Devil and the darkness of this world. Paul asks them to pray for the saints and for him to be able to preach boldly even in his bonds. Tychicus was sent to tell what has happened to Paul and comfort them. Paul wishes a blessing to all who sincerely love Christ" (A Survey of Ephesians - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Children and parents vv. 1-4: Slaves and masters vv. 5-9: The battle against evil vv. 10-20: final greeting vv. 21-24.
Children and Parents
Verse 1, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
LGT "Children, obey your parents [in the Lord]: for this is just."
This of course is directed at the Christian family. Paul begins his exhortations with the husband as the head of the wife; then he moves on to the wife, and how she must respond to the husband; then the husband and wife over the children, and how the children are to respond to their parents. Paul assumes that the children are attending the assembly meeting, and that they understand this doctrine. When Paul says for this is just, he is saying that it is best for the child in his or her relationship with their parents, and it is also best for the child in their interaction in society, for it is in the home that a child learns respect for authority.
Verses 2, 3, "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
LGT "Honor your father and mother, which is [the] first commandment with promise: in order that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long-lived on the earth. "
Paul is not saying that keeping the fifth commandment will insure that obedient children will have a long life; what he is saying is that by being obedient children they will avoid all the pitfalls that juvenile delinquents receive. Paul is not teaching them that they are to keep the Ten Commandments, only using them as an illustration, for in the Old Testament disobedient children in may cases were put to death. The long-lived life of the obedient child is one that gives mental stability, and one that assures the children that they will be happy in knowing that they are pleasing their parents, and they will receive the parents blessing. This is similar to the husband and wife loving each other with mutual love; the wife pleases the husband as she submits to him, and the wife is well pleased with the husband as loves her with divine agape love.
Verse 4, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
LGT "And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in [the] discipline and admonition of [the] Lord."
And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger: do not treat your children as objects, by giving them unreasonable demands; by undue severity; by extreme anger. Fathers should not lead a child on by lying to them, so that they do not know whether or not they can trust their father. Children should be able to rely on their father's word. "The caution does not apply so much to mothers, for they are apt, on the other hand, to spoil the child by indulgence" (Eadie). This is why the father is the head of the whole family. But bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord: fathers are to discipline and admonish [educate] their children as from the Lord; never in a heat of rage, and always with the view of making them stronger and more useful for the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
Verse 5, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;"
LGT "Slaves, obey [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ:"
Slaves obey your masters according to the flesh: "In this appeal Paul was addressing a numerous class. In many cities of Asia Minor, slaves outnumbered freemen" (Vincent). The Christian religion did not purpose to free the slave physically, only spiritually. The term "according to the flesh" is strictly physical, that is, these masters were only their masters physically, and Christ is the Spiritual Head. This verse does not apply to any of us today except for those who have made themselves slaves to a wife, husband, child, or even a friend; we know that many are slaves to alcohol, drugs etc., but this is not the context here. With fear and trembling: with the fear of offending their masters. "Whatever might be true about the propriety of slavery, and whatever might be the duty of the master about setting the slave free, it would be more to the honor of religion for the servant to perform his task with a willing mind than to be contumacious [stubbornly] rebellious. He could do more for the honor of Christianity by patiently submitting to even what felt to be wrong, than by being punished for what would be regarded as rebellion. It may be added here, that it was presumed that slaves could read. These directions were addressed to them, not their masters" (Barnes). In simplicity of your heart: in a sincere desire to do what is right and please the Lord. As to the Christ: by serving their master with this singleness of heart, they are serving Christ, for whatever a Christian does, he does to the glory of the Lord.
Verse 6, "Not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."
LGT "Not with eye-service as man-pleasers, but as slaves of the Christ, doing the will of God, from [the] soul."
Not with eye-service as man-pleasers: the slave works involuntarily and cannot be trusted when he only works hard when his masters eye is upon him; the freeman can be trusted because he works voluntarily for a set wage even when the owner is away. But as slaves to Christ: the slave was to keep his eyes on Christ to please his real Master, even while working for his owner. Doing the will of God, from the soul: the slave should seek to be in the will of God and not to serve to please men. If we labor to please the Lord our employer will certainly be pleased, because God requires from us what is fair and honest, and God's standards are so much higher than man's. The master should not have to be present for the honest slave doing God's will, for it will be pleasing to the master at the end of the day.
Vincent quotes Plato on being man-pleasers:
"And this art he will not attain without a great deal of trouble, which a good man ought to undergo, not for the sake of speaking and acting before men, but in order that he may be able to say what is acceptable to God, and always to act acceptable to Him as far as in him lies. For there is a saying of wiser men than ourselves, that a man of sense should not try to please his fellow-servants (at least not be his first object), but his good and noble masters."
Verse 7, "With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."
LGT "Serving with a well affected mind, as to the Lord, and not to men."
The slave could only do his work courageously if he was a Christian, and that he could serve his master without regard to his plight.
Eadie notes:
"Remembering that He whom you really serve is not a tyrant, but a generous Master; for your service is done to Christ. It is no goodwill, which the slave often bears to his master, his common feeling being the torment of his masters presence and the terror of his lash . . . The spirit of their service was to be Christian, They were to remember Christ the Master, and in serving others were to serve Him - the Master not according to the flesh. In external aspect the service was to men, but in motive and spirit it was to the Lord. It is evident that if the slaves cherished such religious feelings, the hardships of their condition would be greatly lightened. Menander has also said: 'Serve freely, and you are no longer a slave.' 'Whatever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of Christ.' Or, as Luther says in a quotation by Steir, 'When a servant-maid sweeps out a room, she can do a work in God'."
Verse 8, "Knowing that whatsoever good things any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
LGT "Knowing that each one if he do anything good, this he shall receive from [the] Lord, whether a bondman or free."
Knowing that each one if he do anything good: if you slaves do your work as unto the Lord, as I have prescribed, says Paul, God sees it, and He will be the One who rewards you. This he shall receive from the Lord, whether bond or free: everyone can rest assured that God is the One who gives rewards according to His wonderful grace, whether a slave or a freeman. "The Christian doctrine of rewards is too often lost sight of, or kept in abeyance [suspension], as if it were not perfectly consistent with the freest bestowment of heavenly glory."
Verse 9, "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."
LGT "And masters, do the same thing towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that both your Master and theirs is in [the] heavens, and a respecter of persons there is not with Him."
And masters do the same thing towards them: be a good boss, knowing that whatever you do, do it to the glory of the Lord. Giving up threatening: if you have ever worked for a tyrant, you know what threatening is. My definition of a tyrant is a boss so taken up with greed, and is so self-absorbed, he spouts off with such perverse ranting, that it is a shame to be around him.
The editor of Eadies' commentary on Ephesians quotes Lathrop:
"And with respect to all servants of every denomination, equity requires that we treat them with humanity and kindness: that we endeavor to make their service easy, and their condition comfortable; that we forbear rash and passionate language; that we overlook accidental errors, and remit trivial faults; that we impose only such labor as is reasonable in itself and suitable to their capacity; that our reproofs be calm and our counsels well timed; that the restraints we lay upon them be prudent [sensible] and salutary [useful]; that we allow them reasonable time for rest and refreshment, for the culture of their minds, and for attendance on the worship of God; that we set before them a virtuous example, instill into them useful principles, warn them against wickedness of every kind, especially against the sin which most easily besets [overwhelms] them; that we afford them opportunity and private devotion, and furnish them with necessary means of learning the way of salvation; that we attend to the preservation of their health, and have compassion on them in sickness; and, in a word, that we contribute all proper assistance to render them useful, virtuous, and happy" (Lathrop, Discourses on the Ephesians, p. 538, Worcester, U.S. 1810).
Knowing that both your Master and theirs is in the heavens: speaking to Christian bosses and Christian workers, or servants, they both will be judged by Christ. And a respecter of persons there is not with Him: Christ does not respect positions, or wealth, or any such trivial things we admire most. The Christ who bought them both with His precious blood shows no favoritism. "The prevalence of Christianity soon did away the evil of slavery in the Roman Empire; and if it prevailed in its purity, it would soon banish it from the face of the earth" (Barnes).
The Battle against Evil
Verse 10, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
LGT "Finally, in regards to the rest, be empowered in the Lord, and in the might of His strength."
Finally, in regards to the rest: Paul resumes his general exhortation, as he comes to the close of his epistle. Be empowered in the Lord, and in the might of His strength: the only place the believer will be strengthened is in his or her union with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we try and fight the flesh in our own strength, we lose. Making resolutions and devising little plans to overcome our weakness is destined to failure. The only strength we have is in our occupation with the Lord, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God to guide us in victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Daily intake of Bible Doctrine is the only way we will be victorious, and Paul will continue to stress this very important issue.
Verse 11, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
LGT "Put on the panoply of God, for you to be able to stand against the artifices of the devil:"
Put on the panoply of God: this panoply is a full set of armor fitting the soldier for battle, and Paul would certainly know about this armor, being chained to one of these soldiers in Rome for three years; of course, the panoply of God is the Word of God, for we are already in union with Christ, and we are indwelt with God's Holy Spirit, the rest is at our disposal by diligent study of God's Word, and putting all He says into daily use, for we read in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." In regards to this armor Eadie notes: "Each of its pieces - its girdle, breastplate, boots, shield, helmet, and sword - is furnished by Him. It is armor forged on no earthly anvil, and tempered by no human skill." For you to be able to stand against the artifices of the devil: Paul sets forth the battlefield as the world, the flesh, and the devil. The artifices of the devil are his deceitful and cunning craftiness. "Satan does not openly appear. He approaches us not in repulsive forms, but comes to recommend some plausible [seemingly reasonable] doctrine, to lay before us some temptation that shall not immediately repel us. He presents the world in an alluring aspect; invites us to pleasures that seem to be harmless, and leads us in indulgence until we have gone so far that we cannot retreat" (Barnes).
Verse 12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
LGT "Because the wrestling to us is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [powers] of wickedness in the heavenlies."
Because the wrestling to us is not against blood and flesh: wrestling means simply 'to struggle.' But against principalities, against powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenlies: these are the unseen powers of Satan, who is the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). To say more than this would be mere speculation, and this is not my style. I will say that these powers of darkness are very much at work in those unbelievers who succumb to them, for this is of their father the devil, and the works that they do is very obvious in the world today. For instance, the politically correct teaching, that we are to tolerate homosexual behavior, and not condemn it; this is exactly what it means to fight against these horrible God dishonoring acts, for we are not struggling against the men, but against putting our sanction on that which is an abomination to God. We are not in actual conflict with the demons, but only the works produced by these fiends, for the demons have no power over any believer.
Verse 13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
LGT "Because of this take up the panoply of God, in order that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and all these things having worked out to stand."
Because of this: because of this struggle against the wiles of the devil. Take up the panoply of God: this refers to the whole armor of Scripture. The Word of God is our only defense against spiritual wickedness. In order that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day: this does not refer to the final attack of Satan, as some commentators believe. It is in those evil times that temptation off-times overtakes us, because we have not taken up the panoply of God; we have not prepared ourselves with the Word of God. And all these things having worked out to stand: having been prepared with grace doctrine, we will be able to stand. This does not mean a final victory, but the verb "to stand" means face to face with the foe in every day combat.
Verse 14, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness."
LGT "Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."
Stand therefore: keep on standing. Having girded about your loins with truth: "It is not simply integrity or sincerity, but the assured conviction that you believe, and that it is God's truth you believe. Such a sincere persuasion binds tightly the other pieces of armor; and 'trusting up his loins' gives the combatant alertness and buoyancy in the battle, enabling him to 'endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ.' He feels supported and braced by his conscious knowledge and reception of the truth" (Eadie). And having put on the breastplate of righteousness: we have the righteousness of Christ imputed on us, and it is this fact that we are able to put on this righteousness for our everyday warfare. The idea being, that we should live righteous lives according to grace doctrine, and leave all the filth of self-righteousness behind. We must keep in fellowship with the Lord by confessing sins, and then walking in the light of His grace. Our integrity is all that we have to convince others that we belong to the Father.
Verse 15, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace."
LGT "And having under bound your feet with [the] preparation of the Glad Tidings of peace."
And having under bound your feet: that is, protect the feet. With the preparation of the Glad Tidings of peace: the gospel of peace is the mind of the Christian is the rest he can count on in these hostile situations. "These preparations for the Christian are defensive, and that would make some of the ideas that come from some expositors, from Chrysostom to Conybeare, that this means that the feet are prepared to preach the gospel of peace, a spiritual imagination." We are to put on the whole armor God has provided in His Word to combat evil influences.
Verse 16, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
LGT "In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith, in which ye will be able to quench all the burning darts of the wicked one."
Taking up the shield of faith: The shield covered all the armor. The shield referred to is a large shield the size of a door. It was the shield of the heavy infantry. A soldier stood behind it and was fully protected" (McGee). Faith is that shield, knowing that the grace of God is sufficient, and it guards the mind from despondency. In which ye will be able to quench all the burning darts of the wicked one: trusting in the sufficiency of God's grace to sustain one through all temptation, "for He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able" (1 Cor. 10:13). "Temptation is thus represented as impelled from a distance. Satan attacks by indirection - through good things from which no evil is suspected. There is a hint of its propagating power: one sin draws another in its track: the flame of the fire dipped dart spreads. Temptation acts on susceptible material. Self-confidence is combustible. Faith, in doing away with dependence on self, takes away fuel for the dart. It creates sensitiveness to holy influence by which the power of temptation is neutralized. It enlists the direct aid of God. See 1 Cor. 10:13; Luke 23:32; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Peter 2:9." (Vincent)
Verse 17, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
LGT "Also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
Also receive the helmet of salvation: the helmet covers the head, and it is with the head that we have assurance of salvation. With this assurance comes the fact that we know that the battle on this earth is not forever. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: this, as has been noted in verse 11, is that two-edged sword. "For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).
Verse 18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
LGT "By all prayer and supplication, praying in every season in [the] Spirit, and unto this, watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
By all prayer: this is general, praising God with thanksgiving and confession from the heart. And supplication: this is a specific making request to our heavenly Father. Praying in every season: this means on every occasion; we should be ready always to thank God for his grace. In the Spirit: all prayer must be in connection with the Holy Spirit, that is, we must be in fellowship in order for our appreciating to exist. "The theology of the apostle is, that while the Son pleads for His people in heaven, the Spirit within them makes intercession for them and by them, by giving them an enlarged and appropriating view of the Divine promises, that they may plead them in faith and fervor, and by so deepening their own poignant [touching] consciousness of want as to induce them to cry for grace with an agony of earnestness that cannot be fitted into words. Rom. 8:26" (Eadie) Unto this: unto what was covered in the last clause of this verse. Watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints: being open to the needs of all your brothers and sisters, and being ready to help with our prayers and supplications for them; of course not forgetting to help them in any way we can. Perseverance means continuing to remember them before the Lord.
Verse 19, "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel."
LGT "And for me, that to me may be given utterance in [the] opening of my mouth, with boldness to make known the mystery of the Gospel."
And for me: your prayers on my behalf. That to me may be given in the opening of my mouth, with boldness: Paul was chained in prison, beaten with many stripes, hungry and cold, and he only asks that the saints pray that he might have boldness in his preaching. To make known the mystery of the Gospel: in the Old Testament the gospel of grace was a mystery, that is, it had not yet been made known. In the New Testament, this gospel of grace is revealed. In the O.T. they were saved in believing the Messiah would come and take away the sin of the world. In the N.T. we are saved looking back at the finished work of Christ on the cross, taking away the sin of the world forever. Paul now asks the saints to pray for him that he may boldly proclaim the details of this mystery of grace to the world.
Verse 20, "For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
LGT "For which I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may be bold as it is necessary for me to speak."
For which I am an ambassador in chains: it was not because of the gospel of grace that he was in prison, but because he proclaimed it openly. That in it I may be bold: continue being bold without the thought of his physical misery. As it is necessary for me to speak: Paul was constrained by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel of grace, and this was his main concern; as far as the chains were concerned, they were the furthest thing from his mind, for he knew that his God would have him released in due time; this is why he did not ask for the saints to pray for his release, but only that he might boldly preach.
Final Greetings
Verse 21, "But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you things:"
LGT "But that you also may know the things concerning me, what I am doing, all things to you will make known, [by] Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful servant of [the] Lord."
But that you also may know the things concerning me: because of all the false reports being circulated about Paul and his teaching, he sends Tychicus to keep things straight. What I am doing, all things to you will make known: Paul knew that the Ephesians were anxious to know all about his health, and overall how he was doing. By Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful servant of the Lord: little is known of Tychicus other than he was a trusted servant of the Lord. He also carried Paul's letter to the Colossians. McGee says that he was the pastor of the Ephesian church, but I have no idea how he comes to this conclusion. I searched my library, and found no one else that says this. "The previous epithet [description] 'brother' implies his profession of faith, but he was selected to this mission, out of many other believers, because of his trustiness, and he was commended with implicit confidence" (Eadie).
Verse 22, "Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your heats."
LGT "Whom I sent to you for this very thing, in order that ye might know the things concerning us, and he might encourage your hearts."
"Tychicus would allay any fears that the Ephesians might have about the condition of the apostle Paul. The brotherly love exhibited in the early church is the undertone of all Paul's epistles. Paul had real concern for the brethren" (McGee).
Verses 23, 24, "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."
LGT "Peace to the brethren, and love with faith from God [the] Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Grace with all the ones that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptness. Amen."
This is Paul's signal benediction, that all who love the Lord with incorruptness, that is, with an imperishable love, not one day they love the Lord, and the next they are indifferent towards Him. Paul commends the church that loves one another and most of all they love the Lord Jesus Christ.
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