Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents] See Col. 3. 20.

in the Lord] For the Lord is the Authour of all fatherhood, and therefore we must yeeld such obedience as he will have us. In the Lord, implyeth both a commandement of childrens obedience from the Lord, and a restriction also, that they so farre obey their parents, as they swarve not from the true worship of God. For it is true, as Bernard teacheth, that we must yeeld obedience to our parents and superiours, who are in the place of God, as unto God, but then we must adde his limitation, in those things which are not against God.

right] Gr. just.

Ephesians 6:2

Honour thy father and mother] See Exodus 20:12. Deuteronomy 5:16. Ecclus 3. 8. Matthew 15:4. Mark 7:10.

the first commandement with promise] Gr. in. Seeing there is a promise annexed unto the second commandement; how doth the Apostle say, that this is the first commandement with promise? The answer is, either that the Apostle by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, understandeth a mandate or injunction of an affirmative dutie; and so this is the first commandement with promise. For the second commandement in the decalogue is a prohibition of idolatry, the fourth is a positive or affirmative precept, but with no promise annexed unto it. Or the Apostle understandeth of speciall promises, the second commandement is with promise of mercie to a thousand generations, but that promise is generall; whereas the promise annexed to this fifth commandement, is a speciall promise; that thy dayes may be long, &c.

Ephesians 6:4

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath] See Col. 3. 21.

admonition of the Lord] Or, instruction. Such admonitions, instructions, and precepts (for the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, extends so farre) as are taken out of Gods word, and are acceptable unto him.

Ephesians 6:5

Servants, be obedient to them, &c.] See Col. 3. 22. Titus 2:9. 1 Pet. 2. 18.

with fear] That is, with carefull reverence: for slavish fear is not allowable in any, much lesse in Christian servants, who are spiritually free: yet their spirituall freedome taketh not away corporall service; in so much that they cannot be Christs, unlesse they serve their masters willingly and faithfully, so farre forth as they may with a safe conscience.

Ephesians 6:6

Not with eye-service] Either the meaning is, that whatsoever they do in their masters businesse or affairs they should do it faithfully and sincerely; and not in shew and semblance onely; or that they should be as carefull of doing their dutie in their masters absence, as when their masters eye is upon them; knowing that though their master be out of the way, Gods eye is alwaies upon them, and that he will reward their faithfull service, though their masters do not: as on the contrarie, severely punish their unfaithfulnesse, though their master do not, or cannot.

heart] Or, soul.

Ephesians 6:9

And ye masters, do the same things] It is the dutie of masters to use the authoritie that they have over their servants moderately and holily, seeing that they in another respect have a common Master, which is in heaven, who will judge both the bound and the free, the master and the servant.

forbearing] Or, moderating.

your master] Some reade, both your and their master.

neither is there respect of persons with him] Wisd. 6. 7. Sir 35:12. Romans 2:11.

Ephesians 6:10

be strong in the Lord] Be ye strengthned daily more and more by the power of the Lord against your enemies, whereof the means are set down and described, from the 13. verse to the 19. Or these words in the Lord, contain an argument of confidence; be ye encouraged to hold out by that communion which ye have with the Lord by faith; drawing from him all the strength ye stand in need of.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God] Having before mustered his forces and set all Christians in their ranks; now he armeth them cap ape. By the whole armour of God he understandeth all the furniture, and store of Christian vertues, together with all the means which God hath ordained to arme and defend us against the temptations of Satan.

that ye may be able to stand] That is, to keep your station, not to flie, but to overcome and get the victory of your enemies.

against the wiles of the devil] Or, subtile assaults, or fetches. The Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth properly a way-laying circumvention, or going about, as they do who seek after their prey: and the Apostle may seeme to allude to the first of Job, v. 7. where the Lord demanding of Satan, from whence he came; Satan answered, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it; and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Saint Paul, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Saint Peter, 1 Peter 5:8. are much at one.

Ephesians 6:12

but against principalities] The Apostle doth give here these titles to the devil and his angels, not as if they were set and ordained of God to be true Princes and Governours of the world: but that they do still by force and stratagems usurp that power over this corrupt and wicked world, (which the good Angels have from God) and that by the just judgement of God it is permitted unto them for a time to use that power to the punishment of the wicked, and the exercise of the godly, 2 Corinthians 4:4. 2 Thess. 2. 9, 10. Ephesians 3:10.

against the rulers of the darknesse of this world] That is, of the state of ignorance, sinne, death, and confusion which reigneth in this world.

against spirituall wickednesse] Or, wicked spirits.〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Word for word, the spirituals of wickednesse; that is, either spirits that are given to all wickednesse, and seek to bring man unto the same: or the spirituall nature and kind of wickednesse, which is the improvement of wickednesse, and farre more odious to God, and dangerous to the soule (such as are blasphemous injections by Satan and damnable heresies, and deep plots against Religion) then carnall wickednesse or fleshly pollutions.

in high places] Or, heavenly. Of these words there are diverse expositions given. Saint Chrysostome and Occumenius take 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in for for, and they thus expound the Text, We sight not for such trifles as the earth affordeth, but for heavenly things, for the Kingdome of heaven, and our adoption, whereby we are made the sonnes of God, and coheirs with Christ of a celestiall crown. Others understand by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, high places, places above us, that are upon earth, to wit, in the regions of the ayre; called sometimes in Scripture heaven. For Satan hath no place nor power more left him in the true and proper Heaven, 2 Peter 2:4. Jude 1:6.

Revelation 12:8. Or by wickednesse in celestiall places, he meaneth wickednesse in sacris & divinis, wickednesse in the Church, and corruption in the dispensing and administration of holy and heavenly things.

Ephesians 6:13

evill day] See Ephesians 5:16.

having done all] Or, having overcome all.

Ephesians 6:14

having your loins girt about with truth] The souldiers of old time had broad and strong girdles, or belts made of durable stuffe, beset with many iron and brasse plates, whereby the weaker parts of the body, that is, the loines and upper part of the belly were armed. Girding fasteneth the body and strengthens it, and is usually in Scripture taken for an expression and sign of strength and vigour, as Job 12:21. Esa. 5. 27. and 22. 21. With truth: by truth some understand Christ himself, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Lilfe: John 14:6. whom all that are baptized put on, Galatians 3:27. Others the truth of doctrine, opposed to errours and heresies; others sinceritie and uprightnesse, opposed to hypocrisie; which is the truth of our life and actions; and this vertue indeed makes a man firme and steadie in all his actions; whereas nothing makes a man more weak and sickle, and faint-hearted in strong trials, then hypocrisie and falshood.

having on the breast-plate of righteousnesse] By the breast-plate of righteousnesse, which is the onely sence for the heart, he understandeth a good conscience, which is not onely, as the Greek Scholiast tearmeth it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an impenetrable coat of male, or armour of proof; but as the Poet styleth it a brasen wall, Hic murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa.

Ephesians 6:15

And your feet shod] By the feet the understandeth the shins and legs also up to the knees, which the ancients were wont to arm with greaves, which are a kind of brasen boots, such as the Scripture affirmeth that Goliah went out with against David; 1 Samuel 17:6. these served not so much to ward the legges from the injuries of the weather, as from the hurt of darts, arrowes, blowes, or thrusts.

with the preparation of the gospel of peace] Gr. in. That is, with being ever ready and prepared to professe the faith, and to give an account of the hope that is you, Romans 10:10. 1 Peter 3:15. For those who are ignorant, or ashamed, or timorous in this behalf, Satan easily foyleth, and bringeth to backsliding from their holy profession: but those who are well prepared, by frequent and profound meditations upon the Gospel, which is the doctrine of our peace with God, are provided with such shoos, buskins, or boots, as it were, that they may freely passe, and crush all impediments in the world, and finish the course of their heavenly calling without any let or offence.

Ephesians 6:16

Above all] Or, over all.

taking the shield of saith] We must take the shield of saith above all, that is, in our account and esteeme; whatsoever other defensive armour we want, let us not want this: Or over all, to cover and defend all other armour. By saith is meant, not an historicall saith, or saith of miracles; but a speciall trust and confidence in God by Christ. For this indeed covers and shelters the weaknesse and imperfections of all other graces, and best defendeth them and us against all the assaults of Satan, Psalms 91:1. 9. 1 Peter 1:7-8.

wherewith] Gr. in which.

able to quench] Not onely to repell and keep off, but also to take away and destroy all their venemous power of hurting you.

all the fiery darts] That is, saith the Greek Scholiast, concupiscence, or lusts which kindle a fire in the soul, all incentives to sinne; as also the most dangerous temptations of incredulitie, distrust, and despaire. For the metaphor of fiery darts, some understand it of venemous darts, which by their poyson so infect the body, that it burneth as it were with fire: Others understand such darts whose points were put into the fire to be hardened, that so they might do the more hurt: both sorts wel agree with the nature and propertie of Satans temptations, which do infect the soul, as it were, with poyson; and scorch it, as it were, with fire, if they be not speedily resisted and quenched.

the wicked] Or, that wicked one.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation] The hope of salvation purchased by Christ, by whose merits ye are saved already, and may lift up your selves as being already victorious in the combate which you are to fight: 1 Thes. 5. 8. Take for a helmet the hope of salvation.

and the sword of the Spirit] That is, the spirituall sword, which the holy Ghost hath prepared and put into the hands of the faithfull, which hath such an excellent edge that it will cut off all Satans temptations.

which is the word of God] The Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit, for foure reasons: First, because the Spirit maketh this weapon to our hands, 2 Peter 1:21. Secondly, because it slayeth our spirituall enemies, Esa. 11. 4. Thirdly, because it is sharper then a two-edged sword, and pierceth to the dividing of the soul and spirit, Hebrews 4:19. Fourthly, because it is no carnall, but a spirituall weapon, 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Ephesians 6:18

Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication] Although prayer and supplication are usually taken for the same; yet here some distinguish them thus; prayer is here taken, say they, for a deprecation of some evill, or temptation, that it may not overtake us: by supplication, as earnest request to God for his help and grace, that if it be his will and pleasure to let us fall into some temptation, we may yet continue constant in this triall of our saith, and obtain a happie issue, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

in the Spirit] That is, being divinely moved and excited by the Spirit, Romans 8:25. Or earnestly and heartily, John 4:24. Romans 12:11.

Ephesians 6:19

And for me] See Col. 4. 3. 2 Thess. 3. 1.

utterance] Gr. speech.

that I may open my mouth] Gr. in the opening of my.

boldly] Gr. in libertie, or freely.

Ephesians 6:20

an ambassadour] The Apostles are called Ambassadours in foure regards especially: First, because as an Ambassadour speaketh nothing but what he hath commission for from his Prince: so neither ought the Apostles and Ministers of God to deliver any thing but that for which they have commission from God. Secondly, because as Ambassadours have respect wheresoever they are sent, and protection also; in regard they represent the person and deliver the words of their Prince: so ought the Ministers of the Gospel also to be respected and protected, because they are sent from the Prince of heaven, and deliver his message. Thirdly, because as Ambassadours are publike ministers of State, and confined to no particular place, but are to go wheresoever the Prince sends the: so the Apostles were publique Ministers of God, confined to no certain countrey, but sent to preach to all Nations. Fourthly, because as Ambassadours of all other Messengers speak the most freely, and boldly, being backed with the authoritie of their Prince, and warranted by their commission: so of all other the Ministers of the Gospel ought to use freedome and boldnesse of speech, 2 Corinthians 5:20. & 7 4. & 10. 1. Ephesians 6:19.

in bonds] Or, in a chain In the Originall it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in a chain. For, as the learned Antiquaries observe, the Apostle at this time was not in prison with fetters, but in the custodie of a souldier with whom he might go abroad, having a chain on his right arme, which was tied to the souldiers left arme.

therein] Or, thereof.

boldly] Gr. freely.

Ephesians 6:24

in sinceritie] Or, with incorruption,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, word for word in incorruption; or with incorruption: and the meaning is, either the grace of Christ be with you, which grace is incorruptible: or grace be with them that love Christ in incorruption, that is, in sinceritie, not feignedly and hypocritically; or that love Christ to incorruption, that is, by him to obtain life everlasting.