| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Ephesians
Chapter Six
I. Content of the Chapter
The Relationship
Between the Parents and the Children
A. Children:
1. To obey your parents in the Lord (v.1);
2. To honor
your father and mother (v.2);
3. The promise of God to those who honor your
parents (v.3);
B. Parents:
1. Do not provoke your children
to wrath (v.4a).
2. To bring the
children up in
the training and admonition of the Lord (v.4b);
The Relationship Between the Masters
and the Bondservants
A. Bondservants:
1. Toward men: be obedient to those who
are your masters according to the flesh as
to Christ (v.5);
2. Toward things: do service
with goodwill
as to the Lord (v.6-7);
3. Toward the Lord: one shall know that the
Lord will reward according to
what we have done (v.8).
B. Masters:
1. Toward men: give
up threatening (v.9a);
2. Toward the Lord: know that
your own Master also is in heaven
and there is no partiality with Him (v.9b);
How to Stand for God?
A. The Precondition for Overcoming in the
Warfare:
1. One shall be strong in the Lord and in the power
of His might (v.10).
2. One shall put on the whole armor of God (v.11a).
B. To Know the Object of the Warfare:
1. The devil that has many wiles (v.11b);
2. Principalities
powers
and the rulers of the darkness of this age (v.12b);
3. It is not the flesh or
blood
but the spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places
(v.12a
c);
C. The Essential Points of the Warfare
1.
One shall take up the whole armor of God to
withstand in the evil day (v.28-30).
2. Having done all
one
shall still
stand (v.13a).
3. Stand (v.14a);
D. The Whole Armor of God (v.31-32):
1. The waistband of the truth (v.14b);
2. The breastplate of righteousness (v.14c);
3. The shoes of the gospel of peace (v.15);
4. The shield of faith (v.16);
5. The helmet of salvation (v.17a)
6. The sword of the Spirit
which is the word of God (v.17b)
E. The Way of Standing:
1. In the Spirit
(v.18a);
2. To pray always with all prayer and
supplication (v.18b);
3. Be watchful
a. For all the saints (v.18b);
b. For the workers of the Lord (v.19-20);
Epilogue
A. To introduce Tychicus (v.21-22);
B. The words of blessing (v.23-24);
II. Verse by Verse Commentary
Eph. 6:1 “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.”
YLT: “The children! Obey your parents in the Lord
for this is righteous;”
Meaning
of Words: “obey”:
to hear under
to heed or conform to a command or authority (containing the meaning of being inclined
to hear and obey the command); “right”: equitable
just;
Literal Meaning: “children”
there is a definite article before the word “children”
indicating that there is the distinction between the children of believers and
that of the world.
“Obey
your parents in the Lord”
“being in the Lord” is the essence of
obedience. We obey the parents in this range. “Parents”
we shall obey the both the father and the mother
instead of hearing only either of them.
“Obey
your parents in the Lord”
it has several meanings: (1) one shall
obey his parents because of loving and fearing the Lord; (2) one shall obey his
parents through the strength of the Lord by the union with Him; (3) one shall
obey his parents according to the will of the Lord. If the parents command the
children to do things (e.g. sins) against the will of the Lord
we shall not
obey them blindly.
“Obey your parents in the Lord”
it indicates that the children’s
obedience to the parents is not only the doctrine of the Holy Bible
but also
is beyond question and beyond doubt according to men’s convention.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Our love to the parents should be brought
before the Lord to be purified so that we may not love the parents more than
the Lord (Matt. 10:37).
2) Children should honor and obey the parents
except for the condition that the parents’ commands are outside of the Lord.
3) Christians that do not hear the parents are
not good Christians
and even not good children according to men’s general idea.
4) We obey the parents according to the words
of the Lord
not the natural conception.
Eph. 6:2-3 “"Honor your father and
mother
" which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you
and you may live
long on the earth."”
YLT: “honour thy father and mother
which is the
first command with a promise
`That it may be well with thee
and thou mayest
live a long time upon the land.'”
Meaning
of Words: “honor”:
revere
value;
The
Background: the Ten
Commandments that God commanded for the people of Israel through Moses were
written on two
tables of stone (Deut. 4:13;
5:7:7-21). Some scholars said there were the first four commandments concerning
God in the first table
and the last six ones concerning men’s relationship in
the second table. However
there were also some scholars who thought that every
table had five commandments. “Honor the parents” is the fifth commandment of
the Ten Commandments. No matter in the first table
or in the second table
it is the first commandment concerning men’s relationship as well as the only commandment with promise
concerning men’s relationship.
Literal
Meaning: “honor your father and mother”
we shall honor our father and mother
for we are out of them ---- it symbolizes
that we are out of God.
“Father
and mother”
we should respect
the father as well as the mother ---- both of them are important
and we shall
not be partial to any one of them.
“That
it may be well with you and you may live long on the
earth”
honoring the
father and mother is the way to blessing
so that we may be well and live long
on the earth. Those who do not respect the parents will be cursed and live
short eventually.
“Be
well”
it does not only refer to the material
blessing
but also to living in a peaceful condition. “Being well” leads to
“living long”
and those who honor the parents will live long on the earth in
the blessing of God
for such men will be self-control
sound in mind and be
built
and all of these elements will prolong his lifetime.
“Which
is the first commandment with promise”
that we honor the father and mother is not only because the parents are the
origin of us
but also for it is the first commandment concerning men’s
relationship as well as the only commandment with promise concerning men’s
relationship.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Obey” is an
external action. “Honor” is an internal attitude.
Some children may obey the parents without honoring them. However
we
Christians should learn to obey the
parents in the attitude of honoring them.
2)
The
spiritual intention of “honoring your father and mother” is making us fear God. He
who does not honor the parents shall never be good child before God the Father.
3)
Since
the children are out of the parents
the parents are the origin of their
children
just like the fact that men are out of God
and God is the origin of
men. If a man honors his parents
he will please God and be blessed by God.
4)
It
is a lifelong relationship between the children and the parents. The Lord is
always teaching us how to be children throughout our life
for we are the
children of God the Father for ever.
5)
“Being well” and “living
long”
do not mainly refer to the spiritual blessing or the eternal life in the
future
but the blessing and long life in this age.
Whether a man is blessed or suffered on the earth is according to the situation
that how he treats his parents. No matter how long the children who honor their
parents live on the earth
their life must be meaningful.
6)
He
who does not honor his parents is committing suicide chronically ---- they have just shortened their days on the earth.
Eph. 6:4 “And you
fathers
do not
provoke your children to wrath
but bring them up in the
training and admonition of the Lord.”
YLT: “And the fathers! provoke not your children
but nourish them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.”
Meaning
of Words: “provoke…to wrath”: irritate to anger; “train”: disciplinary
correction; “admonition”: calling attention
mild rebuke or warning with words; “bring up”: rear up to maturity (it includes the cultivation of one’s
character);
Literal
Meaning: “do
not provoke your children to wrath”
if the father is exceedingly severe or cruel
or
treats his children unreasonably and partially
he will provoke his children to wrath. No matter how bad the children are
the parents
should not provoke them to wrath but make them obey from their hearts.
“In the
training and admonition of the Lord”
“training” refers to the disciplinary
correction concerning the
knowledge
and “admonition” speaks of the correction
restraint
warning or chastisement with words. It means that the fathers should: (1) train and discipline the children with the teaching and
admonition of the Lord; (2) train and discipline the children according to the
guidance of the Lord.
“Bring
them up”
“bring up”
it refers
to the nourishment and education of both the body and mind
including the
meaning of being gentle and intimate.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The gentle attitude will enable the children
to honor their parents and to obey willingly. However
the harsh and strict
attitude may even make them more obstinate and hurt their filial piety.
2) “Do not provoke your
children to wrath”
it will incite them to live in the flesh
and that will even hurt them.
3) If parents do not want to provoke their
children to wrath
they should not lose their temper. And the way to escape
from losing temper is to let one’s
wrath be dealt with by the cross.
4) The lack of discipline will make the
children fallen
so God does not please that the parents spoil the children.
5) “The training and admonition of the Lord”
it unveils that the training and
discipline for the children should be based on the teaching of the Lord. It is
the essential spiritual responsibility for the Christian-parents to bring up
children in the Lord.
6) Parents should teach their children with the
Lord’s words (Deut. 6:7)
so the parents themselves should let the word of the Christ dwell in them richly (Col 3:16).
7) Parents should not teach the children with tongue only
but should have no good example in
deed. The children are always like to imitate the parents
so the parents
should lead the children by personal examples and set good examples at home.
8) The father should realize his position. If
the father and the son are all in the Lord
though they have such spiritual
relationship
the father should still not arbitrarily use the authority or
position of the father
for the Father of us in the heaven will never do like
this.
Eph. 6:5 “Bondservants
be obedient to those who are your masters according to the
flesh
with fear and trembling
in sincerity of
heart
as to Christ;”
YLT: “The servants! obey the masters according to
the flesh with fear and trembling
in the simplicity of your heart
as to the
Christ;”
Meaning
of Words: “bondservants”: slaves (who are bought and have no
freedom); “truth”: singleness
sincerity;
The
Background: the slavery was
universally accepted in the old age
and was considered as an indispensible
basic system of the civilized society. The masters bought the slaves with money
and ordered them to do the lowest works. According to the law
the masters had
the right to decide whether the slaves should live or die
except that some
masters released the slaves kindly. Otherwise
the slaves would be bondservants
all their life. They had no right at all
and their existence was totally for
the satisfaction and comfort of the masters.
Literal
Meaning: “bondservants
with fear and trembling”
“fear” is the internal condition of one’s heart.
“Trembling” refers to the external attitude. The bondservants should fear the
masters
for the master stands for the Christ. The attitude of fearing and
trembling is not caused by faults
but the sense of responsibility ---- for
fear of defection so that the servants can not fulfill the expectation of the
masters.
“In
sincerity of heart”
the obedience
should be true and sincere from the bottom of one’s heart. There is no fraud or
falseness. In other words
one should not obey apparently
but oppose in his
heart.
“Masters
according to the flesh”
it suggests
another higher spiritual revel ---- Christ is the master. Paul has pointed in
the beginning that the relationship between the bondservants and the masters is
not an earthly matter. “Masters
according to the flesh” refer to all the
hirers or superiors.
“As to
Christ”
to obey the
masters according to the flesh with the attitude of obeying Christ; This idea
will raise the lowest work to the highest one
thus generating a motivation for
fulfilling the tasks.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
When it mentions the
moral relationship between the father and the son as well as the bondservants
and the masters in this chapter
both of the latter ones in the two
relationships are encouraged first
and then the former ones. For men have the
common fault of disobeying the authority appointed by God
namely
disobeying
God Himself indirectly.
2)
We must realize that
“I am a man under authority
having under me others (see Matt 8:9)” in the interpersonal relationships. If we
are not under authority
we will be unable to have others under us.
3)
Men are totally
corrupted
so that “they
are not
subject to…neither
indeed can they be” (Rom 8:7). Therefore
“the offences against the authority” is often seen. However
we can not live in
the old men
so that believers should obey the masters according to the flesh
in their hearts.
4)
Believers should
keep our position toward the master or the superiors. Though such relationship
is produced from working
which is a kind of reciprocal relationship concerning
labor and payment
it is still arranged by the Lord.
5)
A real faithful
servant should obey the master according to the flesh with fear and trembling
for fear of displeasing the Lord Christ.
6)
If a believer really
obeys the master or the superiors with the attitude of obeying the Lord
he
will be a “servant of Christ” in the sight of the Lord (v.6) as well as a
man who does the will of the Lord.
Eph. 6:6 “not with eye-service
as men-pleasers
but as bondservants of Christ
doing the will of God from the heart
”
YLT: “not with eye-service as men-pleasers
but as
servants of the Christ
doing the will of God out of soul
”
Meaning
of Words: “heart”:
soul;
Literal
Meaning: “not with eye-service”
when the master
watches a bondservant
he will serve. When the master leaves
the servants will
stop working. This is the fault of the servants ---- who like to do
eye-service.
“As
men-pleasers”
if one works only
when the master is watching
he must be a men-pleaser.
“But as
bondservants of Christ”
regarding oneself
as a bondservant of Christ
one serves others with the attitude of glorifying
Christ.
“Doing
the will of God from the hear”
if a bondservant
stands in the right position in the fear of the Lord and serves the Lord well
he is keeping the will of God
for God likes men to stand in the position of
themselves.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Apparently
believers are the bondservants of the masters
but actually they are the
bondservants of Christ. Therefore
we are working in the sight of the Lord
as
to the Lord
and not to men.
2)
Men usually work to
make a living
so they more or less have the idea that “so-so is okay”. However
the work of believers does not
only for making a living
but also for the Lord. Therefore
one shall do his
best to do the work well.
3)
Though believers are
the bondservants of men
they shall still regard the will of God as the highest
principle of life.
4)
If our service only
pleases men and receives men’s
praise because of eye-service
it will be of no value. If we are willing to
obey the will of God in our heart
even we do in secret and nobody knows us
we
must be remembered God. This is the real “bondservants of Christ”.
5)
Believers should
serve the Lord not only with our physical body
but also in spirit (Rom 7:6;
Heb 12:28).
Eph. 6:7 “with goodwill doing
service
as to the Lord
and not to men
”
YLT: “with good-will serving
as to the Lord
and
not to men
”
Meaning
of Words: “goodwill”: kindness
benevolence;
The
Background: in the old ages
though the slaves were oppressed by the masters
they could not and dared not
rebel openly
only being angry in the heart. They obeyed their masters
apparently
but were much unwilling to do in fact
so they usually worked
perfunctorily.
Literal
Meaning: “with goodwill”
it means that the attitude towards
service is not out of the sense of responsibility
but kindness and goodwill.
“As to
the Lord”
we should not
think we work for men
but regard it as the arrangement of the Lord and work
for the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The work of Christians
has no difference between “secular” and “sacred”. All that we have done before the Lord and
do for the sake of the Lord are holy and are serving the Lord.
2)
Though apparently
there is the distinction between “serving
the Lord” and “serving men” concerning the work of Christians
if we
have the right attitude
the matter “of
serving men” will be changed
into the matter of “serving
the Lord”.
3)
Today
since many
Christians’ masters or
superiors are brothers and sisters in the Lord
the servants think that they
are equal with their masters or superiors in the Lord so that they are not
willing to serve. This kind of attitude and idea is false.
Ephe. 6:8 “knowing that whatever good
anyone does
he will receive the same from the Lord
whether he is a slave or
free.”
YLT: “having known that whatever good thing each
one may do
this he shall receive from the Lord
whether servant or freeman.”
Literal
Meaning: “will receive the same from
the Lord”
it has two
meaning: (1) today
the Lord gives us blessings on the earth; (2) The Lord will
reward according to what we have done this day until His second coming.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
He who “does something” must “receive something”. The problem is that what we will receive
is “penalty” or “reward” is determined by what we have done at
present.
2)
All that we have
done today is not in vain (see 1Cor 15:58)
so we have no reason to not work
diligently.
3)
Though the goodness
of believers is done before men
they usually are remembered before God.
4)
The reward of the
Lord is not based on our earthly position
but our spiritual condition.
5)
The slaves who had
no freedom at that time even could find the way of serving the Lord
working
goodness and receiving the reward of the Lord. Today
how can we neither serve
the Lord nor walk goodness to receive the Lord’s reward on the excuse of bad environment
improper opportunities or poor gifts?
Eph. 6:9 “And you
masters
do the
same things to them
giving up threatening
knowing that your own Master also
is in heaven
and there is no partiality with Him. ”
YLT: “And the masters! the same things do ye unto
them
letting threatening alone
having known that also your Master is in the
heavens
and acceptance of persons is not with him.”
Literal
Meaning: “do the same things”
how should the masters treat the
bondservants should be like how the bondservants deal with the masters. Though
the positions of the masters and the bondservants are different
they have
their respective obligations and should be all faithful to the Lord. It is the same
principle that every one receives his own reward according to what he should do
and what he has done.
“Give up threatening”
the authorities that are above usually have the sense
of superiority concerning the power and status
but despise those who are under
the authorities and oppress them and even deal with them wantonly.
“There is no partiality with Him”
or “there is no acceptance of persons
with God”. Though there is the difference between the masters and the
bondservants among men
they are the same in the sight of the Lord. They are
merely different in the positions that they stand. The Lord will not esteem and
or be gracious to someone because of his mastership
nor despise or abuse
someone for he is a bondservant. The Lord treats everyone in the same manner.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Such “knowing” is a great comfort for the bondservants
when they are tired in working as well as a reminder for the masters when they
are dealing with the bondservants.
2)
He who treats others
with respect of persons is partial in him (James 2:1
4). Only the Lord is the
one who searches reins and hearts (Rev. 2:23)
so there is no partiality with
Him.
3)
We masters should
realize that we ourselves are of the Lord
so we shall let others see from the
attitudes towards life and the conduct of us that we are of the Lord.
Eph. 6:10 “Finally
my brethren
be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
YLT: “As to the rest
my brethren
be strong in
the Lord
and in the power of his might;”
Meaning
of Words: “strong”: (increase in) strength
be filled with the power;
Literal
Meaning: “finally”
it means that it
will mention another important thing: (1) another purpose of God in the church;
(2) the next paragraph is based on the words before. It indicates that one should
have the life mentioned from chapter one to the ninth verse of this chapter
if
he wants to be a spiritual soldier.
“In the Lord”
the mystery of spiritual war should be “in the Lord”. We shall neither be in
ourselves
nor rely on ourselves
nor see ourselves
nor think of ourselves.
Whenever we see ourselves
we will be fall into infirmity and be unable to
stand
“In
the power of His might”
the source of our strength is the position of
being “in the Lord”. The spiritual power of Him will be conveyed to us through
the union with Him. I
have strength for all things in him that gives me power (Phil. 4:13). “The
power of His might”
it is a kind of
strength in you no matter you appropriate it or not. The power of the Lord has
already been in believers
but many believers do not actively appropriate it
so they have not been strong.
“Be strong”
it is the passive voice in the original
so we are
not strong by ourselves
but become strong for some reasons. If we are in the
Lord
His strength will become our strength and we can only be strong in His
risen power.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The mystery of
Christians’ strength is not
ever in their own striving
but in the entire reliance on the Lord. We can be
strong through the power of His might only.
2)
The strength of men
is not worthy of mentioning
but that of God is ever-
invincible.
3)
In the spiritual
warfare
we shall neither rely on ourselves
but on the Lord
nor rely on the
strength of ourselves
nor ask for the Lord to increase our strength
but rely
on the power of His might.
4)
What believers
should hold fast is the status of “being
in the Lord”. When we keep in
this status
we will stand. Whenever we leave this status
we will lose.
5)
“Be…”
the imperative sentence suggests that we
should be responsible for the condition whether we are strong or not ---- if we
refuse to cooperate with the Lord
His power of might still cannot bring into
effect on us.
6)
One shall neither be
coward nor escape when dealing with the devil
but resist it boldly (James
4:7). Therefore
one should be strong in the spiritual warfare.
7)
Many believers have
such problems ---- they are stiff-necked before God and are not subject to God
but are timid and weak before the devil.
Eph. 6:11 “Put
on the whole armor of God
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
YLT: “put on the whole armour of God
for your
being able to stand against the wiles of the devil
”
Literal
Meaning: “put on the whole armor of God”
the “strength” is of
the Lord
and the “armor” of God. “Armor”
or “armament”
it is what the warriors
trust (Luke 11:22-23). The unarmed soldiers can not go to the front to fight. Here
God takes the responsibility of “giving” the armor
but we should “put on” it.
The armor will not play the proper role if one does not put on it. Moreover
God has prepared us the “whole” armor
not a part of it.
“That you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil”
he who stands
back
sits down or falls down can not against the devil
except for those who “stand”.
He who stand must: (1) in the Lord; (2) put on the whole armor of God.
“The devil”
the purpose of “standing” is to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who stands steadfastly in the right
position of the spiritual warfare and puts on the whole armor of God can go to
fight the war. Since it is the spiritual warfare
the armor should also be
spiritual. We should not war through fleshly arms
but through the whole armor
of God.
2) God makes us deal with Satan and has
prepared the armor for us
which is whole and spiritual. We shall put on the
whole armor
any of them is indispensable. Otherwise
there will be a breach.
3) The work of the church is not overcoming the
devil
but resisting the devil and holding fast the victory of the Lord.
4) Though it has not mentioned what the wiles
of the devil are
the wiles must be manifested in many forms and are difficult
to be on guard. Therefore
we should watch out and take precautions.
5) The whole armor of God is given to the whole
“body”
not to some “members”. It is the whole body that should put on
the whole armor
so that we can resist the devil. Therefore
the spiritual
warfare is not advanced by any individual believer
but the whole church.
Eph. 6:12 “For
we do not wrestle against flesh and blood
but against
principalities
against powers
against the rulers of the darkness of this age
against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places.”
YLT: “because we have not the wrestling with blood
and flesh
but with the principalities
with the authorities
with the
world-rulers of the darkness of this age
with the spiritual things of the evil
in the heavenly places;”
Meaning
of Words: “principalities”: chief; “powers”: privilege
magistrate
token of control
delegated influence;
The
Background: “wrestle”
a sport in which two
people fight by holding each other and trying to make each other fall to the ground
in the original
which contains the meaning of “torment”. “Wrestling” is that a
man makes the rival fall down to the ground and he can still stand. In the ancient times
there was the custom of duel. There were two
men who were bound by firm ropes for the decisive battle.
Literal
Meaning: “for we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood”
“flesh
and blood”
it speaks of the
men. In the spiritual warfare
man is the apparent object
but the real object
is the devil hid back. Today
we do not wrestle against men
but against the devil at the back of
the men. Those who persecute and kill us are controlled by the devil behind the
devil. Therefore
we should know clearly that our enemy is not man
but the
devil.
“Principalities…
powers”
it does not refer to the political power of the
nations or the political rulers
but the invisible power that against God. The
enemy of the spiritual warfare is not loose
but is systematically organized. Satan
is the king of this system. “Principalities” and “powers” are the ministers of Satan.
“Spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”
“heavenly places” refers to the places
where the devil dwells and reigns ---- they act from the heavens above to the
earth or the sea. “Spiritual”
it is the nature of the devil. Spiritual hosts of
wickedness are spiritual
not
fleshly
and they can attach to men and animals. “Wickedness”
the nature of the devil is evil
so the devil
becomes the source of all the wickedness.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the spiritual warfare
believers should
know clearly about the object of the war. The object is not men
but the devil
so we should not regard brothers and sisters as the enemies.
2) Since the object of the war is “spiritual”
not “fleshly”
we should obey the spiritual principle to
appropriate the spiritual weapons in the war. If we fall into the flesh in our
heart or method
we will immediately fall down from the spiritual position and
be defeated just before the war.
3) The position of our war against the enemy
should be above the heavens. The warfare of this chapter is according to the
status of “sitting down
together in the heavenly places”.
Whenever we are in the earthly or worldly position
we have lost the status of
war. Once the position is lost
one must be defeated in the war.
4) Since our rivals are spiritual
we have to
stand in the spiritual position and appropriate the spiritual power to deal
with the devil.
5) Our enemy is an organized system. Therefore
we shall never be faced with the enemy alone
but fight the enemy with brothers
and sisters together.
Eph. 6:13 “Therefore
take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day
and having done all
to stand.”
YLT: “because of this take ye up the whole armour
of God
that ye may be able to resist in the day of the evil
and all things
having done -- to stand.”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore”
it continues with
the words of the previous verse.
“Take up the whole armor of God”
we shall not deal with the devil
according to flesh
for they are spiritual enemies. “Take
up”
it is an urgent and decisive action. It will be very late to equip
oneself until we meet the enemies. Christians should take up the armor swiftly at
any moment
so that they can meet the urgent need.
“In the evil day”
it unveils that Satan disturbs
us and makes us suffer the hard and evil days by various evil things.
“That you may be able to withstand”
“withstand”
here
we should
not only make good preparation for the war
but should also stand fast in the
position.
“And having done all
to stand”
it starts from “standing against (v.11)” to “standing”
still after having done all. Therefore
such “standing” is a continual one.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Some of the armor of God should be “put on (v.11)”
and some of them should be “taken”. In the spiritual war
we should not use
only a part of the armor
2) The days are evil (Eph. 5:16)
for the devil
is opposing us everyday
so we shall never lose watchfulness.
3) The devil is so crafty that it has many
wiles and that it tortures us with many things. Therefore
it is “the evil day”.
4) This spiritual warfare is a matter
concerning “standing”. Being able to stand is the focus of the
war as well as victory.
5) One wave is passed
and another wave is
approaching. The spiritual warfare will keep until the second coming of the
Lord. Therefore
we should always stand after a single war instead of slacking
off.
Eph. 6:14 “Stand
therefore
having girded your waist with truth
having put on the breastplate
of righteousness
”
YLT: “Stand
therefore
having your loins girt
about in truth
and having put on the breastplate of the righteousness
”
Meaning
of Words: “breastplate”:
corselet;
The
Background: in the old times
the waistbands of the soldiers were used to grid the garments and let the scabbard
be hung. And the breastplate was tightly bound to the breast so as to protect
the heart.
Literal
Meaning: “stand therefore”
the most important
point of the spiritual warfare is to stand
which relies on putting on the
armor of God instead of relying on fleshly methods. “Stand” is a gesture of
triumph ---- believers that are equipped well can stand steadfastly. After the
war
they have not been defeated down to the ground
but stand still and
control the battle completely.
“Having girded your waist with truth”
“gird”: to bind up the garments closely for fear of
being awkward. It means that our walking should be restrained by the truth. If
believers’ life is not restrained by the truth
they cannot wrestle against the
devil. “Gird”: to gather up the power of the whole man. “The truth” is the word
of God and the principle of God. If believers know more about the words of God and the principle of God
and keep the words of God in life and walk according to the principle of God
all these will become the waistband of us
enabling us to be strong.
“Having put on the breastplate
of righteousness”
“breast” refers to the conscience. The conscience of
everyone in the spiritual warfare should be a conscience void to offence. If the conscience is unclear
the faith
will be lost at the same time
let alone the spiritual warfare. “Breastplate” is to resist Satan’s accusation in us. The “righteousness” here protects our conscience
having two meanings: (1) in the objective aspect: the redemption and the
washing by the blood of the Lord (Rev. 12:11); (2) in the subjective aspect
one shall manifest the righteous deeds by the life of the Lord so that there is
neither iniquity nor accusation in our conscience.
If the righteousness of believers is not
sufficient
they shall appropriate the objective the blood of the Lord to
cover.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Whenever believers have the revelation and
understand the truth
they will be strong.
2) The enemy usually disturbs us in our
thoughts
so we should gird the waist with truth.
3) The waistband is the first gift that God has
given us
which indicates that the obedience of believers to the truth is the
prerequisite and necessary condition in the spiritual warfare.
4) The fragmental truth is not enough to gird
one’s waist. Only the
consistent and complete truth is sufficient to gird one’s waist. Those who fail in the spiritual warfare may usually apprehend the truth
imperfectly ---- they know superficially about the truth.
5) “Truth” means that Christ is the “reality” of our life (see Eph. 2:21
24). Believers
in their daily life know and experience and live out Christ ---- it will gird one’s waist with “truth”
so that believers should be strong.
6) Believers are not be covered through one’s righteousness but through Christ
(1Cor1:30)
so we should overcome the accusation of the devil by the
righteousness granted by God.
7) The breastplate can only cover the front
not backside. Therefore
in the spiritual war
Christians should only move ahead
not drop back
for
once one stands back
his backside will be soon exposed and be shot by the fiery darts of the wicked
one.
Eph. 6:15 “and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
YLT: “and having the feet shod in the preparation
of the good-news of the peace;”
The
Background: in the old times
the soldiers had to put on the shod that was able to protect the feet before
going to the battle field. The soles of such shod were made of thick leather
with the nails in front of the shod
and there were also the horns made of
iron. The shod did not only have protective function
but also made the
soldiers walk faster and steadier. In the old times
most of the wars were
hand-to-hand fights
so the soldiers should have agile actions.
Literal
Meaning: “the gospel of peace”
it
refers to the fact mentioned in chapter two that the Lord has reconciled both
the Jews and the gentiles in one body to God through the breaking effect of the
cross of the Lord. The disharmony among
men themselves and that between men and God are mainly because of the flesh.
The cross in us just does the work of cutting off the flesh
thus there is no
gaps or friction of men with God or with men.
“Having shod your feet with the
preparation”
“preparation” refers to the preparation for serving the Lord. The concentrated mind makes one quickly realize his post and
prepare for the war at any time.
“Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”
it means that: (1) the walking should be on the principle of the
purpose revealed by the gospel. One shall never do the things that disobey the
purpose of the gospel (things that are enemies of God). (2) The walking is with the purpose of
preaching the gospel widely. One shall never do the things that hinder the
gospel. (3) One can share the goodness of the gospel in his walking. One shall
never do the things that can not let others see the fruit of the gospel.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “The shod of the gospel of peace”
it is for the sake of being not stained
with the world or Satan when one walks in the world. The more we preach the
gospel
the less will we be stained with sins.
2) The peace accomplished on the cross of
Christ is the steadfast standpoint
which enables us to stand fast and combat the spiritual combat with steady footsteps.
3) We fight by standing in the “peace”. If we have lost the peace with God and
with men
we have lost the position of standing fast and cannot triumph in the
combat.
4) The disputes may hurt others
but the gospel
brings peace to others. The enemy scatters the hatred
struggle and murder…
however
we should preach the gospel of
peace wherever we step.
5) He who is barefoot cannot go further. The way of life is rugged and
is filled with obstacles that prevent us from moving ahead and make us lost
heart or even faint. However
the gospel is the best tool for journey. A
believer who is filled with the burden of the gospel must have good hope in his
life.
Eph. 6:16 “above all
taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
YLT: “above all
having taken up the shield of the
faith
in which ye shall be able all the fiery darts of the evil one to
quench
”
The
Background: “shield”
it is not the small round shield carried
by the cavalryman
but the big oval shield used by the heavy armed forces ----
such shield is a slightly crooked board
big and thick
which is overlaid with
leather to protect one’s body.
In the war of the old times
“dart” was one of the most dangerous
weapons. Such dart
dipped with bitumen or other flammable material
was
kindled to throw at the enemy. It not only hurt men
but also ignited the
object it shot.
Literal
Meaning: “taking the shield of faith”
“faith” refers to the faith of believers
in God ---- whatever we have been faced with
we always believe that God is
faithful and trust
rely and believe in Him and His words. “Shield” is used to resist
the external attacks. That believers take the shield of faith is not for the
sake of “attacking”
but “defending”.
“You will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one”
except for the
accusation and threat of Satan
all the agitation
ridicule
criticism
judgment
enticement
deceitfulness
captivation
pride and jealousy as well as
anything that makes one doubtful
discouraged
depressed and unbelieving
belongs to the fiery darts of the enemy.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The armor of the “faith” is after the “truth”
“righteousness” and “peace”. Believers should believe by the truth of
God and then they will have the “righteousness” of the truth (Eph. 4:24). “Righteousness” brings about “peace” (Is. 32:17)
and then there will be faith.
2) The arms of the devil are sharp darts with fire on the cusp
which can not only
hurt men
but also burn the men and equipments. The fiery darts of the devil
not only hurt one believer
but also hurt other believers together in the
church.
3) This is the victory which has got the
victory over the world
our faith (1John 5:4). Thanks God! The faith He has
granted us can not only blunt the head of the arrow
but also eradicate the
fire.
Eph. 6:17 “And take
the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit
which is the word of God;”
YLT: “and the helmet of the salvation receive
and
the sword of the Spirit
which is the saying of God
”
Meaning
of Words: “take”:
receive
welcome
grasp;
Literal
Meaning: “take the helmet of salvation”
“helmet” is the army
uniform that protects one’s head
where is the mind of men. Taking “salvation”
as the helmet means that the salvation can protect our mind. The devil may most
easily attack our mind
so no matter how difficult the environment is
God will
save us. Therefore
we will not receive any threat from Satan.
“And the sword of the Spirit
which is the
word of God”
“the word of
God” is the sword
which is used to kill the
enemies. In the armor of God
only this one can both
defend and attack
but one should use the word of God in the Holy Spirit
thus producing the power of God. The word of God can be the sword only in the
Holy Spirit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the protective armor is the spiritual
character trained from our daily life
such as the knowledge of the truth
the
righteous disposition
the footsteps of the gospel
and the life of faith and
the assurance of the salvation.
2) Our earthly mind should be saved. He who
dares not rely on his own intelligence
methods and means but only holds fast
the mind of God can resist the attacks of the devil.
3) We shall “take the helmet of salvation”
so that the absolute authority of the head
Christ
shall be kept from being infringed.
4) In the whole armor of God
the first five
ones are used to defend
and only the “sword
of the Spirit” can both defend and
attack the devil. According to the order of the armor of God
it suggests us
that we shall appropriate the first five ones to protect us before using the
sword of the Spirit for fear of giving place to the devil.
5) The good soldiers of Christ do not defend
the devil only
but also can attack the devil to overcome it by using the word
of God (Rev. 12:11).
6) The word of God is
living and
operative and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of heart (Heb. 4:12).
Therefore
using the word of God properly is the best weapon to expose and destroy
the wiles of the devil (see Matt. 4:4
7
10).
7) Believers should make great efforts at the
word of God ordinarily and let them dwell in us richly. If necessary
the Holy
Spirit will remind us the word of God (John 14:26). Otherwise
we would have the
sword in vain
for it had not been applied timely.
Eph. 6:18 “praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
being watchful to this
end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--”
YLT: “through all prayer and supplication praying
at all times in the Spirit
and in regard to this same
watching in all
perseverance and supplication for all the saints --”
Literal
Meaning: “praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit”
the whole armor of
God should be carried out by prayer. If there is no prayer
the six kinds of
armor will be of no effect. Prayer is asking God to work.
“In the
Spirit”
it is because
only the Spirit knows the will of God and only the Spirit can teach us to pray the
will of God. We shall also pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication”
it includes the time
means
essence
place
object of prayer. No matter the time and means is
prayer shall be
flexible in Spirit. “Prayer” refers to the general prayer. “Supplication”
refers to the specific and concentrated prayer. We should have both of the two
kinds of prayer.
“Being watchful to this end with all
perseverance”
it indicates that we should pray with the attitude of enduring
to the end. “Be watchful”: be sleepless; keep awake; “with all perseverance”: persistency
without slackness or discouragement;
“And supplication for all the saints--”
one
shall not forget to pray for others when he prays for himself.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Prayer will make the whole armor operative
but the lack of prayer will make it cease to be effective.
2) One shall resist Satan in prayer and be
watchful in prayer. If there is no prayer of being watchful with all
perseverance
the church will become a city without wall. The enemy may come to
destroy and kill at any time.
3)
Prayer should not be
restricted by time and space. We
should pray
no matter being in peace or danger
infirmity or strength
favorable circumstance or unfavorable circumstance
being joyful or sorrowful.
4) Prayer should not be restricted by the
forms. We can pray
no matter with voice or without voice
aloud or silently
praising or supplicating
singly or cooperatively
opening one’s eyes or closing one’s eyes.
5) The devil always makes one see the
environment instead of God Himself so that one may be discouraged and weary. If
believers want to triumph in the spiritual war
they shall overcome the
discouragement and be watchful in prayer.
6) The Christians should be single. The
spiritual war is of an overall one. Therefore
we should pray for every soldier
in the battle.
Eph. 6:19 “and for me
that utterance may be given to me
that I may open my mouth
boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel
”
YLT: “and in behalf of me
that to me may be given
a word in the opening of my mouth
in freedom
to make known the secret of the
good news
”
Literal
Meaning: “that utterance may be given
to me”
eloquence that enables one to express what he will
say well and clearly.
“Boldly”
to say what one should say
i.e. to speak
freely. Once one knows clearly what he has to say
he will be free without any
anxiety.
“That I may open my mouth to make known the mystery of the
gospel”
if there is no minister
of the word of God to utter clearly the mystery
it will be difficult for men
to understand clearly. “The mystery of the gospel”
it specifically refers to
the mystery concerning the church in chapter three (Eph. 3:3-11). That is to
say
one shall preach the purpose of God’s granting salvation to men clearly.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers should not pray for the members of
the body of the Lord only
but also for the bondservants of God.
2) No matter how rich the gifts of a man are
there is no Christian in the world who does not need the prayer from other
brothers and sisters. Even though the worker
like the apostle Paul
needs
intercessions by others
let alone other servants of the Lord.
3) If he who serves the Lord has realized the
importance and the degree of the hardship
he will confess that he cannot be
competent for it.
4) If one has not opened his mouth
his
utterance will not be clear. Therefore
we shall ask the Lord to give us the
opportunity for utterance as well as the specific words when we have opened our
mouth.
Eph. 6:20 “for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly
as I ought to speak.”
YLT: “for which I am an ambassador in a chain
that in it I may speak freely -- as it behoveth me to speak.”
Literal
Meaning: “I am an
ambassador in chains”
the apostle became an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel
and he felt
that it was glory.
“That in it I may speak boldly
as I ought to speak”
concerning the result of the spiritual
war
it deals with the devil in the negative aspect
and helps to preach the
mystery of the gospel in the positive aspect. To deal with the enemy of God is
for the sake of the gospel of God. How much the devil has been dealt with in
the church
how much the gospel of God will be preached.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The devil spares no effort to prevent us
from preaching the gospel
so it arouses many rebellious forces to bind us.
2) Every believer should take his own
responsibility
so we should seek and receive the commitment of God before Him.
3) The fearing heart may infringe on the
freedom of preaching the gospel openly
so we shall ask God to make us bold
enough.
Eph. 6:21 “But that you also may know
my affairs and how I am doing
Tychicus
a beloved
brother and faithful minister in the Lord
will make all things known to you;”
YLT: “And that ye may know -- ye also -- the
things concerning me -- what I do
all things make known to you shall Tychicus
the beloved brother and faithful ministrant in the Lord
”
Literal
Meaning: the church then was
concerned about the workers of the Lord
for the workers had close relationship
with the church. Therefore
the apostle Paul not only wrote the messages of God
to the church in Ephesus
but also was willing to tell them his conditions and
affairs.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) How precious it is that the workers love one
another!
2) It is the necessary condition for a
bondservant of the Lord that one shall “love” men and “be faithful” unto the Lord.
Eph. 6:22 “whom
I have sent to you for this very purpose
that you may know our affairs
and
that he may comfort your hearts.”
YLT: “whom I did send unto you for this very
thing
that ye might know the things concerning us
and that he might comfort
your hearts.”
Literal
Meaning: “whom I have sent to you for
this very purpose”
at that time
since the apostle was imprisoned in the
prison (Rome in Italy)
he could not go by himself. Therefore
he sent Tychicus to send this epistle to the church in
Ephesus. It was long distance from Rome to Ephesus
so such sending work was
really a great work at that time.
“And that he may comfort your hearts”
since the church at Ephesus was much
concerned about the affairs of Paul
Paul feared that they might be discouraged
for the sake of him
so he sent Tychicus to comfort and encourage them.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though Paul was in unfavorable condition
he
still bore in mind constantly to comfort and encourage others. What a real
worker was concerned about is not himself
but the children of God.
2) The comfort that Paul gave to the believers
in Ephesus was not his outer circumstance
but his inner conditions in the
difficulty.
Eph. 6:23 “Peace
to the brethren
and love with faith
from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
YLT: “Peace to the brethren
and love
with faith
from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ!”
Literal
Meaning: “peace”
if we have
the presence of God
we will have true peace. “Grace” is that God has been
obtained and enjoyed by men. “Peace” is the result that one has received and
enjoyed God.
“Love with faith”
concerning the relation of men with the Lord
it should
be firstly “faith” and “love” secondly. For no one can have love without
obtaining faith first. However
in the second public letter that the church
received (Rev. 2)
we could see that the Lord rebuke them that they had lost the
first love (Rev. 2:4). Obviously
the church of Ephesus at this time had some
problems in love. So here it mentions love first and faith later.
“To the
brethren”
here it does not
mention sisters
for there are only brothers in the new creation. There are
only sons without daughters in the house of God. A certain saint said that
there were two kinds of people in the house of God ---- “male brothers” and “female
brothers”.
Eph. 6:24 “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”
YLT: “The grace with all those loving our Lord
Jesus Christ -- undecayingly! Amen.”
Literal
Meaning: “in sincerity”
it is “incorruption” in the original
which has two meanings: (1) it is changeless; (2) all that are of God are incorruptible
in eternity. All that are of men are corruptible in time.
“Love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (incorruption
in the original)”
we do not love the Lord by our own zealousness or
excitement
but by the incorruptible life of God. That is to say
we shall love
the Lord in the incorruptible life of God
and such love never perishes.
“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ”
when the apostle writes this
epistle
he felt that there was something wrong with the love of the church in
Ephesus unto the Lord
therefore
he said that grace would be with all those
who loved our Lord.
The outset of the Book of Ephesians is grace
and the end is also grace. The whole
book speaks of grace. The grace in this book is that God is possessed by men
and becomes the enjoyment of men. The grace in chapter one is unconditional
but the grace here is conditional
namely
loving in incorruption. Love is the
condition for us to enjoy the grace and peace.
The Book of Ephesians does not refer to the relation
between grace and faith
but the relation between grace and love. It is not
only receiving the grace
but also manifesting the grace
so we shall take the
responsibility on our part. And this love comes from faith. The whole Bible
reveals us that out contact with God is totally according to faith and love. Faith
makes us receive God and love leads us to experience God
and thus manifesting
God.
The end of the Book of Ephesians refers
to love ---- on one part
it mentions that love comes from faith
and on the
other part
it points that the result and nature of love is incorruption. The
love of believers unto the Lord is everlasting and fearless.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
The Responsibility of the Children
A. To obey your parents in the Lord (v.1)
B. To honor your parents (v.2)
The Responsibility of the Parents (v.4)
A. Do not provoke the children to wrath
B. Bring the children up in the
training and admonition of the Lord
The Responsibility of the Bondservants
A. With fear and trembling (v.5)
B. In sincerity of heart (v.5)
C. Not with eye-service (v.6)
D. With goodwill doing service
as to the Lord (v.7)
The Responsibility of the Masters (v.9)
A. To give up threatening;
B. There should not be partiality with Him.
The Bondservants of Christ
A.
Who shall be in sincerity of heart
as to Christ (v.5).
B. Who shall do the
will of God from the heart (v.6).
C. Who shall do service with goodwill (v.7).
D. Who shall receive the reward from the Lord
(v.8).
The Secret of Spiritual Warfare
A.
One shall be in the power of His might (v.10).
B. One shall put on the whole armor of God (v.11
13).
C. One shall distinguish the object of the war
---- spiritual
hosts of wickedness (v.12).
D. One shall stand (v.13-14).
E. One shall pray always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (v.18).
The Whole Armor of God
A.
To gird
one’s waist with truth (v.14)
B. Breastplate
of righteousness (v.14)
C. To shod one’s
feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace (v.15)
D. The shield
of faith (v.16)
E. To take the
helmet of salvation (v.17)
F. The sword
of the Spirit
which is the word of God (v.17)
G. Prayer (v.18-19)
The Necessary Prayer of Believers (v.18)
A. Prayer in the Spirit
B. Prayer at all seasons
C. With all prayer
D. Concentrated Prayer
E. Prayer of being watchful
F. Prayer with all perseverance
G. Prayer for others
The Warfare in Christ
A. The Commandments for the Warfare:
1. One shall rely on the Lord and in the power of His
might ---- be strong (v.10)
2. One shall put on the whole armor ---- resist
the devil (v.11)
3. One shall stand and take up the whole armor of God ---- have done all (v.13-14a)
B. The Object of the Warfare (v.11b-12):
1. The devil
2. Principalities
and powers
3. The rulers of the darkness of this age
4. Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places
C. The Armor for the Warfare:
1. To gird one’s waist with truth ---- to constrain oneself with the word of God
(v.14a; 1Peter1:13);
2. Breastplate of righteousness ---- the righteousness of God protects one’s heart
(v.14b; Pro. 4:23);
3. To shod one’s feet with the preparation
of the gospel of peace ---- to toil for
the sake of preaching the gospel (v.15; Rom. 10:15);
4. The shield of faith ---- to resist the temptation with firm faith
(v.16; Luke 18:8);
5. To take the helmet of salvation
---- the salvation of God protects our mind (v.17a; Job 19:25);
6.
The
sword of the Spirit
which is the word of God ---- to resist the devil by the words in the
Holy Bible in the Holy Spirit (v.17b; Heb.4:12);
7. Prayer and supplication ---- to pray always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit (v.18-20;
1Tim.2:11);
D. The Content of the Warfare:
1. The fellowship with the body and the comfort
(v.21-22)
2. Grace be with the recipients (v.23-24)
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou