Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:21-24

In this chapter, (1.) The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties, which he began in the former. Particularly he inflicts on the duties of children and parents; and of servants and matters, vers. 1—9. (2.) He submits and directs Christhans how to behave themselves in the spiritual warfare with the enemies of their faith; and to the exercise of several Christian graces, which he proposes to them as so many pains of spiritual arenas, to perform and defend them in the conflict, vers. 10—18. (3.) We have here to be the conclusion of the apostle, in which he takes his leave of them, recommending himself to the prayers of the believing Ephesians, and praying for them, vers. 19—24.

1. CHILDREN,

2. CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise) 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou averest live long on the earth. 4. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord. 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. 6. Nor with eye-Service, as men-pleaders, but as the 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 any man doth, the same shall be receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 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.

3. 1—9. The apostle proceeds with those relative duties which he had begun to enforce in the former chapter, beginning still with the inferior relation; for dutiful obedience will lay the strongest obligations on the superior to these all consideration and love in return. We have,

4. The duty of children to their parents. Children, obey your parents; hear their counsels, and submit to their commands, this being the debt you owe them, both as the authors under God of your being, and for all the care they have shewn you, and this in the Lord, as far as is agreeable to his word, and for his glory. Honour thy father and mother, faith the law; reverence them, is not respectfully to and of them, and if needful provide for them, (which is the first commandment with a particular promise annexed to it) that it may be well with thee, and thou meest live long on the earth.

5. The duty of parents. And ye fathers, preach not your children to wreath, by unreasonable talks, feverities, or restraints, but with all lenity, tenderness, and affection endeavour by love and kind persuasion to win upon them, and bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord, instructing them in the knowledge of the Scriptures, letting before them a gracious example, directing them to the means of grace, and watching over them with holy jealousy.

6. The duty of servants. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, in all their lawful commands, with becoming fear of their displeasure, and trembling least as any time you should justly offend them; in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, without flattery, deceit, or guilt, with a regard to the Redeemer’s glory: not with eye-Service, as men-pleaders, diligent only to long as they look over you, merely to carry favour with them, but as the servants of Christ, under his comfort and all-letting inspection, and therefore doing the will of God from the heart, and discharging the duties of the station in which he hath placed you with all fidelity and truth. With good will doing service, with cheerfulness and alacrity, from a principle of love to your matters, and a real zeal for their honour and warmth, and this as to the Lord, and not to men, desiring, not to much human, as the divine approbation, and acting from a sense of duty to the great Lord of all. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth, however mean his stature, and inconsiderable in itself the service may be, the same shall be receive of the Lord, who will suitably reward his fidelity, whether he be bond or free.

7. The duty of masters. And ye masters, do the same things unto them, those the same readiness conscientiously to discharge your relation to them, forbearing threatening, not tyrannizing over them, and terrifying them with furtiness and menace, but chusing to rule by love rather than fear, knowing that your master also is in heaven, to whom you must give an account, neither is there respect of persons with him; all stand at his bar on a level, and must receive from his lips their eternal fentees for happiness or misery.

8. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins give about with truth, and having on the bread-place of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which

is the word of God: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all Saints; 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: 20. For which ‘I am an ambassador’ in a bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

9. 10—20. Every Christian is entitled, under the banners of Jesus, to fight the Lord’s battles, and to maintain something war against sin, the world, and the devil. The apostle therefore warmly exhorts them to quit themselves as men under the glorious captain of their salvation. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, supported by those almighty influences of grace, which he despises, in whom alone standeth our help, and from whom cometh our salvation. Put on the whole armour of God, as a soldier covered from bond to foot, with armour proof against every weapon, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and neither be seduced by his enlivening temptations, nor terrified by his suggestions from the path of duty.

10. The enemies we have to conflict with are described. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, not only against the corruptions implanted in our own nature, or the wicked men of this world, who oppose and persecute, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, even against those legions of malignant spirits, who, under their hateful leader, have erected a kingdom of darkness, and enslaved the souls of men, and ever hover round us, watching for an opportunity to dissect, harass, trouble, and, if they could, to destroy those who have escaped from their hateful bondage.

11. Having such foes, we need be well armed against their assaults. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, to absolutely necessary for this dangerous conflict, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, when this hour of temptation and danger comes, and having done all, to stand faithfully, acquitting yourselves as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, through every trial, however sharp or prolonged; and more than conspicuous at last, through him that loved you, when in a resurrection day you shall tread sin, Satan, death and hell, for ever under your feet. Stand therefore, the enemy advances, be ready to receive him, looking up to your almighty support, and invulnerable in the divine panoply. The Christian’s complete armour, both offensive and defensive, is here in military terms described; the back alone is left unguarded, for we must conquer or die. Flight is sure to be fatal to the coward soul.

12. Truth must be our military girdle. Having your loins give about with truth, firm in the doctrines of the gospel, and sincere in the profession of it, in simplicity approving yourselves before the heart-searching God.

13. Righteousness is our breast-plate. Having on the breast-plate of righteousness, imputed and implanted, to guard the vital parts from the stroke of the unwounded foe.

14. Our fanatics must be the gospel of peace. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, that whatever rough ways we may walk in, and whatever difficulties we meet, we may stand fast in the gospel of Jesus, prepared for every conflict, established on the sure foundation, enjoying peace with God in our own souls, and following it with all men.

15. Faith is our shield. Above all, as the most necessary piece of armour, and that which covers the whole body, taking the shield of faith, having lively and realizing views of the divine promises of pardon, grace, righteousness, and glory, confidently resting upon them, whereunto ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, when with fury he hurts his unwounded temptations at the soul, to despair, blasphemy, lewdness, rage, even to self-murder, seeking to bring horror, guilt, anguish, and dissect upon the conscience, though he may not be able to destroy; but divine faith repels them all, quenches them, and they fall harmless at our feet.

16. Salvation is our helmet. And take the helmet of salvation, that sure hope of life eternal, grounded upon the faithfulness of the unchangeable God, that guards from dejection, and raises us superior to every fear.

17. The mighty sword is the word of God. And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, before which the legions of darkness cannot stand, when welded by the faithful soldier, slaying every temptation, and opening a way through hofts of difficulties.

18. Prayer must be added. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, looking upwards constantly for divine support, in every emergence calling your care upon God, in epiculations, and, at fasted solemn seasons, commending yourselves into the Lord’s hand, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, never weary or giving over, though the conflict be hard and long, and no immediate answer received; and, as for yourselves, to also continue complete in supplication for all Saints, engaged in the same warfare, contending with the same enemies,

and

and needing the same divine support. And, among others, for me also, under my trials, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, fearless of any consequences, to make known the mystery of the gospel, and publish the glad tidings with all zeal, openness, and freedom of speech, without concealing any of the glorious truths, however effensive they may be to men’s pride or love of sin: for which fidelity I am an ambassador of Christ in bonds, suffering cheerfully, and still desiring, even in a prison, to negotiate the great affair of reconciliation between God and sinners: and I entreat your prayers, that therein, under whatever difficulties I struggle, I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak, undaunted in my spirit, and without molestation. Note, (1.) Prayer is the Christian’s constant recourse, and sure support in every exigence. (2.) Whilst we continue persevering in our supplications, we shall assuredly go on conquering and to conquer. (3.) We should mutually remember each other at a throne of grace; all saints need our prayers, and should have an interest in them.

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 all things: 22. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 23. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Tit. ii. 7. Or with uninterruptedness. Having desired an interest in their prayers, he concludes his epistle,

1. With recommending Tychicus to them, the bearer of this epistle. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do in my present confinement, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things concerning my situation, labours, treatment and success, even in bonds: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts, amidst all the trials you meet, and encourage you, from my example, patiently and cheerfully to persevere in the good ways of the Lord.

2. He closes with his usual benediction and prayer. Prave be to the brethren, may you enjoy a sweet sense of God’s favour, be blest with all prosperity, temporal and spiritual, and live in the most uninterrupted harmony among yourselves; and may love to God and to each other abound, with faith, in the most lively and vigorous exercise; all which spiritual blessings flow from God the Father, as their source in the economy of redemption, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, as the purchaser and dispenser of them to his chosen people. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, (or unflavoured) with unfeigned affection, or in incorruption, without adulterating the doctrines of truth, or admitting any earthly thing to rival him in their hearts; or with immortality, may his grace and your love be perfected in glory everlasting. Thus in faith he prays, and adds his joyful Amen! in confidence that the Lord will hear and answer his requests.

VOL. II. THE