Ephesians 6

1 Children [kids, young ones], obey [listen attentively, do what is ordered by] your parents [fathers and mothers, those who gave you life] in the Lord [as followers of Jesus, in a close relationship with God], for this [this command, this principle] is right [just, fair, and righteous]. word study 2 “Honor [show respect and value] your father [male parent, paternal figure] and mother [female parent, nurturer]” (which is the first [foremost, primary] commandment [divine instruction, order] with a promise [commitment, assurance]), word study 3 “that it may go well [prosper, have success] with you [as an individual, personally] and that you may have [enjoy, experience] a long [abundant, enduring] life [existence, time on earth] on [upon, throughout] the earth [land, world].” word study 4 Fathers [parents, male and female], do not provoke [stir up, enrage] your children [sons and daughters, young ones] to wrath [anger, indignation]; instead [on the contrary, but], bring them up [nurture, rear, train] in the discipline [instruction, education, correction] and instruction [admonition, guidance, teaching] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority, Master]. word study 5 Slaves [servants, bondservants], obey your earthly masters [those who are your lords according to the flesh] with respect [reverence, awe] and fear [terror, alarm] and sincerity of heart [singleness of your heart, openness], just as you would obey Christ [the Anointed One, the Messiah]. word study 6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as [faithful, obedient] servants [slaves] of Christ [the Anointed One], doing [carrying out, fulfilling] the will [desire, intention] of God [the supreme Deity] from [out of, with all] your heart [soul, the seat of emotions]. word study 7 Serve [with enthusiasm, happily] with good will [enthusiasm, kindness], as [in the manner of, when] to the Lord [God, Master] and not [absolutely not] to men [human beings], word study 8 because you know [are aware, have spiritual insight] that the Lord [the supreme Master] will reward [repay, recompense] each one [every individual, each person] for whatever good [beneficial, righteous] he does [performs, accomplishes], whether he is [serves as] slave [bondservant] or free [unrestricted]. word study 9 And masters [lords, those in authority], do the same for your slaves [servants, bondservants]. Give up your use of threats [intimidation, violent words], because you know that He who is both their Master [Lord, the supreme Authority] and yours is in heaven [the spiritual realm, the throne of God], and there is no favoritism [partiality, respect of persons] with Him [toward anyone, in His judgment]. word study 10 Finally [at all times, as to the rest], be strong [strengthened, empowered] in the Lord [God, the supreme authority] and in His [His own, belonging to Him] mighty power [strength, ability, divine energy]. word study 11 Put on [take up, clothe yourselves with] the full [complete, whole] armor [panoply, protective gear] of God [the supreme Deity], so that you can [be able, have power] make your stand [resist, withstand] against [in opposition to] the devil’s [diabolical, satanic] schemes [wiles, cunning plans, a plan or trick used to deceive]. word study 12 For our struggle [wrestling, fight] is not against flesh [human nature, physical body] and blood [mortal life], but against the rulers [principalities, world powers], against the authorities [spiritual forces], against the powers [worldly governments] of this world’s darkness [evil, spiritual gloom], and against the spiritual [non-carnal, supernatural] forces of evil [wickedness, malice] in the heavenly [celestial, divine] realms. word study 13 Therefore take up [put on, use well] the full [complete, whole] armor [protective gear] of God [the one true deity], so that when the day [a 24-hour period, a period of time] of evil [bad, morally wrong] comes, you will be able to stand your ground [resist, withstand], and having done [accomplished, worked out] everything [all, every thing], to stand [be in an upright position, remain firm]. word study 14 Stand firm [therefore, as a consequence] then, with the belt [girded around your loins] of truth [reality, accuracy] buckled around your waist, with the breastplate [a piece of armor covering the chest] of righteousness [living according to God’s will, moral integrity] arrayed [put on, clothed with], word study 15 and with your feet [shod, firmly fitted] fitted with the readiness [preparation, state of being prepared] of the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war]. word study 16 In addition to all [every aspect of your spiritual life] this, take up the shield [long shield, a protective device] of faith [trust and confidence in God], with which you can extinguish [put out, quench] all the flaming [burning, ignited] arrows [fiery darts, missiles] of the evil one [the wicked, Satan]. word study 17 And take the helmet [of spiritual protection] of salvation [rescue from spiritual death] and the sword [a short sword or dagger, for spiritual battle] of the Spirit [the vital principle or mental disposition of a person, guided by God], which is the word [declaration or utterance] of God [the one true deity]. word study 18 Pray [with prayers and deep desires, making requests] in the Spirit [guided by God’s Spirit, in the spirit of worship] at all times [at all seasons, in every moment], with every kind of prayer [through all prayer and supplication] and petition [request, supplication]. To this end [for this purpose, toward this goal], stay alert [be watchful, stay awake] with all perseverance [staying committed and steady, in persistent prayer] in your prayers [requests, supplications] for all the saints [holy ones, set apart believers]. word study 19 Pray also for me [on my behalf], that whenever I open my mouth [in the opening of my mouth], words [utterance] may be given me [to give, bestow upon me] so that I will boldly [with boldness, freedom in speaking] make known [to make known, inform] the mystery [a secret, hidden truth] of the gospel [the good news, message of salvation], word study 20 for which [on behalf of, in the interest of] I am an ambassador [representative, messenger] in chains [bonds, imprisonment]. Pray that I may proclaim [speak boldly, preach fearlessly] it fearlessly [with confidence, without hesitation], as [in the manner that, to the extent that] I should [ought to, am obligated to]. word study 21 Tychicus, the beloved [dearly loved, cherished] brother and faithful [trustworthy, dependable] servant [minister, attendant] in the Lord [God, Master], will tell you everything [make known all things, inform you fully], so that you also may know [perceive, understand] about me and what I am doing [my circumstances, how I am faring]. word study 22 I have sent [to dispatch, with a purpose] him to you for this very purpose [specific intention, goal], that you may know [be aware, understand] about us [our circumstances, situation], and that he may encourage [comfort, strengthen] your hearts [inner being, emotions]. word study 23 Peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war] to the brothers [fellow Christians, male siblings] and love [unconditional affection, agape] with faith [trust, confidence in God] from God [supreme deity] the Father and the Lord [Master, Messiah] Jesus Christ [the anointed Savior]. word study 24 Grace [divine favor, graciousness] to all [every single one] who love [show esteem and goodwill towards] our Lord [Master, God] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] with an undying [incorruptible] love [affection, devotion]. word study