Ephesians 6
Big idea: The household instruction finishes with the two groups a Roman reader would not have expected to be addressed at all — children and slaves are spoken to directly, as people who can be reasoned with rather than merely commanded. Then the letter names what has been behind all of it: the opposition is not the people in the room. The equipment handed out is almost entirely defensive, and the stated objective is not to advance but to still be standing.
The letter that began with blessing in the heavenly places ends with the battle there — and closes with a prisoner asking for prayer.
6:1–9 — There is no partiality with him
Two pairs, and in both the surprise is that the person with power is addressed at all. Fathers held nearly absolute legal authority over children and masters over slaves, and both are given instructions that limit them — don't provoke, and 'GIVE UP THREATENING' — on the ground that they answer to someone.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” 4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, 6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. 9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
6:10–24 — That you may be able to stand
The letter names its antagonist at the end rather than the beginning, and the naming reframes everything that came before: the divisions, the lying, the bitterness and the household friction were never only interpersonal. The armour is drawn from Isaiah, where God wears most of it himself, and it is handed over rather than manufactured.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints. 19 Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort 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 love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).