Ephesians 6 WBT
Summary: The household code continues with children commanded to obey their parents and fathers told not to provoke their children to anger, and bondservants and masters given mutual instructions rooted in serving the same Lord in heaven. Paul then turns to spiritual warfare, urging believers to "put on the whole armor of God" to stand against the schemes of the devil, since the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this present darkness. He details the armor piece by piece — the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God — and calls for constant prayer, closing with a request for prayer for himself and a final greeting carried by Tychicus.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honor 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 to Christ;
6Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; 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 whatever good thing any man doeth, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
9And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armor 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 to you the whole armor 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 breast-plate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which ye will be able to extinguish 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 for this purpose with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an embassador 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, will make known to you all things:
22Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that ye may know our affairs, and [that] he may 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.
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