Read or listen The Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 6 online (ESV, YouVersion)

The instructions regarding human relationships that began at the end of chapter 5 continue at the beginning of chapter 6 verses 1–9.

Parents and Children – Eph 6:1–4

In the Roman Empire, fathers had unlimited authority over other family members. That authority remained in effect throughout his lifetime. In that sense, children did not become "of full age" while their father was alive.

Attitudes toward children in Rome were often negative. Abandoning children to die was accepted. Children were seen as a constraint—they limited sexual freedom and could become a problem in the event of divorce. One might even say that children were often viewed as a burden.

Paul’s teaching and the Christian church gave children a whole new status. Through baptism, they were accepted as members of the congregation. However, the old hierarchy remained: children were to honor their parents. Paul gives three reasons for this command:

1. It is right (verse 1)
2. The Law of the Old Testament (verse 2; cf. Exodus 20:12)
3. The Gospel (= in the Lord, obeying the Lord, verse 1)

What does Paul mean when he refers to the fourth commandment as the “first commandment”? There are many attempts at an answer:

1. Paul means that the fourth commandment is the first commandment associated with a promise: “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” The third commandment also includes a promise: "...I will show mercy to thousands who love me and keep my commandments."

2. "First" means "of primary importance."

3. It is the first commandment of the second tablet, the first commandment concerning one’s neighbor.

Even though children eventually come into adulthood and their parents' authority over them eventually fades, respect for one's parents should never cease. A person has only one set of parents—one mother and one father.

Paul saw the relationship between children and parents as a reflection of the relationship between God and humanity. Parents should raise their children with the goal of making them children of God. The ultimate authority is God (verses 1 and 9); parents are merely His “representatives.”

As usual, Paul is balanced. He gives commands not only to children but also to parents. Parents should raise their children according to God’s will, not arbitrarily. The English physician and theologian Martyn Lloyd-Jones has said that children should not be disciplined if one has lost one’s own temper. Parenting is not about pursuing and thinking according to one’s own desires, but about carrying out God’s will. The issue is not so much about submitting to the parents’ will, but to the order established by God.

Slaves and Masters – Eph 6:5–9

The Greek word "doulos" can mean either a slave or a servant. It is likely that Paul was referring specifically to slaves, since ancient society was built on the labor of slaves. It is estimated that there were 60 million slaves in Rome. Some slaves had received an education; not all were merely manual laborers — for example, there were slaves who were doctors. Slaves were obtained, among other sources, from prisoners of war.

A slave was the property of his master. In ancient literature, slaves were compared to tools. Slaves were not always even considered human beings. The master had the power to decide everything in a slave’s life. He could also kill a slave if he wished.

However, life for slaves was not as miserable as one might think. Slaves were expensive, so they were well cared for. If a slave became permanently ill, he was often set free so as not to be a financial burden on his master.

It has often been criticized that Paul seems to accept slavery and does not speak out against it. First, we must remember that Christianity was a very small minority in Rome. Its voice would not have carried much weight.

Second, it is worth remembering that freeing slaves would have meant unemployment for them. Ancient society was built entirely on the premise that there were many slaves. In many cities—especially Rome—there were more slaves than free people. A mass emancipation of slaves would have created enormous problems.

It can be said, however, that Paul initiated the dismantling of slavery. The Christian faith regarded slaves as persons, as human beings. Slaves and masters were equal (verse 9).

"...knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him."
(Eph 6:9)

Slavery was based on the idea that a slave was an object, not a person. Once this illusion was removed, slavery had to end. It took a long time, unfortunately, but the delay was not due to Paul's ideas but because they were not taken seriously.

In the congregations, slaves had just as good a position as free people. Many leaders of the early Christian congregations are known to have been slaves.

Again, Paul gives instructions to both parties. The instruction given to masters is shorter (verse 9), but all the more comprehensive: it places masters under the supervision of God's "management."

The Christian's Armor – Eph 6:10-20

This description of the Christian’s armor by Paul is the most famous passage in the entire Letter to the Ephesians. The passage emphasizes that man alone, in his own strength, cannot resist God’s enemy, the Devil. The absolute prerequisite for successful warfare is that the adversary is known and not underestimated. In spiritual warfare, underestimating the enemy leads to trying to get by without God’s help.

Many times, even in church circles, we fall into the trap of thinking that circumstances, society, etc. are in the way of the church's message. Ultimately, there is only one adversary of the gospel: the Devil. He does use various means to destroy the work of Christ in the world, but the war is not won by defeating people and circumstances. The adversary's war leadership must be defeated.

However, the spiritual powers are completely overwhelming opponents for us. It has been said that if we saw the spiritual battle that is being fought around us and about us, we would be horrified and even paralyzed.

One of the enemy's most cunning and successful tricks is to make people believe that God has no adversary. The 1970s was the opposite period, when many books about demons were published. Billy Graham wrote the book "Angels" and said that because too much has been written about demons, it is time to study angels as well.

When we think about the battle in the spiritual world, we face two dangers:

1. We become discouraged and sink into despair saying: "The enemy is too strong, we cannot cope!" Paul wants to encourage Christians in this passage. Even though the opponent is strong, Jesus Christ is the victor! Christians are on the side of the victor.

2. We minimize the importance of the fight. When we are not ready for the fight, that is when the worst defeats and falls come.

Once again, Paul's language is based on the Old Testament. This time, three passages from the prophet Isaiah can be highlighted in particular:

• Isaiah 11:5 The clothing of the Messiah-King:

"Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins."

• Isaiah 52:7 The sweet feet of him who brings good news:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

• Isaiah 59:17 God's armor:
  >"He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak."

Verse 12 should not be understood to mean that people do not fight against the gospel or that their opposition is not something to be concerned about. Yes, the enemy of souls also uses people as his helpers in his war against God. But the main battleground is not earthly but spiritual, the realm of the spirits.

Verse 12 tells us that evil is specifically between God and man and tries to separate man from God.

Verse 14 reminds us that lies cannot be used to advance the kingdom of God. The gospel and lies cannot be combined!

Shoes were a sign of a free man - compare the prodigal son who was given shoes on his feet when he returned home (Luke 15:22). Only Christians are truly free in this world ruled by the Enemy of Souls.

The Roman soldier's leather shield could be dipped in water and soaked, making it a better protection against the enemy's most feared weapon - flaming arrows (verse 16).

The Christian's outfit for war is special in that it has only one offensive weapon - a sword - everything else is for defense. The Word of God (verse 17) is the only weapon with which we can harm God's adversary. Jesus also relied on it in the wilderness temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). One should not engage in battle - not even defense, much less attack - in one's own strength.

A Christian can prepare for battle. Preparing for battle takes place in prayer. Prayer is a sign that a person sees that he needs God's help. Note that even the great "hero of faith" Paul did not dare to trust in his own abilities but asked that the congregation pray for his witnessing mission. If Paul did not believe that he could do it in his own strength, we should not imagine too much about our own spirituality either.

Closing Greeting – Eph 6:21-24

Usually, Paul sent greetings to the recipients of his letters at the end of his letters. This time, the greetings are missing. There are two reasons:

1. Tychicus conveyed Paul's greetings personally.

2. The Epistle to the Ephesians is most obviously a "circular letter" intended for several congregations, so sending greetings would have been difficult, because they would have only concerned people in one congregation at a time (compare the catholic (i.e. general) letters = 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, James and Jude).

Tychicus was from Asia Minor (Acts 20:4). In Acts 21:29, Luke says that Trophimus, who is mentioned in connection with Tychicus as another Asian in Acts 20:4, was an Ephesian. So it is possible that Tychicus was also from Ephesus. Tychicus is also mentioned as the translator of the Epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:7-8). Paul also speaks of Tychicus in 2 Tim 4:12 and Titus 3:12.

It is possible that Tychicus also served as Paul’s scribe in writing the Epistle to the Ephesians, but this remains a matter of speculation.

Paul began his letter to the Ephesians with a wish for grace and peace (Ephesians 1:2). That is also how he wants to end his letter:

"Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible."
(Eph 6:23-24)