Ephesians 6

King James Version

Full text for Ephesians Chapter 6

1¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.

9And, 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.

10¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For 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].

13Wherefore 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.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying 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,

20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21But 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:

22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts.

23Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ephesians 6 outlines proper conduct within the household, instructing children to obey parents, fathers to nurture, and servants and masters to act righteously as unto the Lord. It then transitions to a powerful call for believers to be strong in the Lord and don the "whole armour of God" to withstand spiritual evil. The chapter concludes with an exhortation to prayer and Paul's request for intercession regarding his ministry.

Medium Summary

The sixth chapter of Ephesians first outlines proper conduct within the household, instructing children to obey and honor their parents, linking this to a promise of well-being and long life. Fathers are admonished not to provoke their children but to raise them in the Lord's discipline. The epistle then addresses servants, urging them to obey their earthly masters with sincerity and diligence, as if serving Christ, not merely men. Masters are likewise commanded to treat their servants justly, refraining from threats, remembering their own heavenly Master's impartiality. The focus then shifts to spiritual warfare, calling believers to be empowered by the Lord and to put on the complete "armour of God" to resist the devil's schemes. This armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, all supported by constant prayer for all saints and for Paul's bold proclamation of the gospel.

Long Summary

Ephesians chapter six commences with specific exhortations regarding familial and social relationships, beginning with children, who are commanded to obey their parents in the Lord, emphasizing that this is righteous and aligns with the first commandment accompanied by a promise of well-being and longevity. Fathers are subsequently instructed to avoid provoking their children to anger, instead nurturing them with the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The epistle then addresses the relationship between servants and masters. Servants are exhorted to obey their earthly masters with profound respect, sincerity of heart, and diligence, performing their duties as if serving Christ Himself, not merely for human approval. They are reminded that their good deeds will be rewarded by the Lord, irrespective of their social status. Conversely, masters are commanded to treat their servants with similar principles, refraining from threats and remembering that they too have a Master in heaven who shows no partiality. The chapter then transitions to a pivotal call for spiritual strength, urging believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. To effectively stand against the deceptive strategies of the devil, believers are instructed to put on the "whole armour of God." Paul clarifies that their struggle is not against human adversaries but against formidable spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, the complete armor is essential to withstand the "evil day." This spiritual armament includes having one's loins girt with truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, having feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and, above all, taking up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the wicked one. Furthermore, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, are vital components. The chapter concludes with an emphasis on continuous prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all saints, and specifically for Paul, that he might be granted boldness to declare the mystery of the gospel, for which he serves as an ambassador in chains. Tychicus is mentioned as the bearer of news and comfort to the Ephesians, and the epistle closes with a benediction of peace, love with faith, and grace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Core Concepts

  • Household DutiesThe chapter provides specific instructions for children, fathers, servants, and masters, emphasizing mutual respect and conduct guided by Christian principles within the domestic and social spheres.
  • Spiritual WarfareBelievers are called to recognize that their true conflict is not against human adversaries but against unseen spiritual forces of evil, requiring divine strength and preparation.
  • The Whole Armour of GodThis is a metaphorical description of the spiritual provisions God gives believers to stand firm against the devil's schemes, comprising truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
  • Prayer and SupplicationConstant and persistent prayer in the Spirit is presented as a crucial element for believers, both for themselves and for all saints, including specific intercession for Paul's ministry.
  • Service as unto ChristThe chapter instructs servants (and by extension, all believers in their work) to perform their duties with sincerity and diligence, viewing their labor as service rendered ultimately to the Lord, not merely to human masters.
  • Divine ImpartialityBoth servants and masters are reminded that God, their ultimate Master, shows no favoritism, implying that all will be judged by the same righteous standard.
  • Bold Proclamation of the GospelPaul requests prayer for himself to speak with courage and clarity the "mystery of the gospel," even while imprisoned, highlighting the importance of evangelism.