Bible Commentaries

The teaching now turned to the next relationship of importance in the Christian household-the relationship of parents and children. Children are to yield obedience, and thus be set free from all care and anxiety. When the period of childhood passes, obligation does not cease. They are still to honor father and mother.

The responsibility of parents is referred to only with regard to the father. Thus the apostle emphasized that the chief responsibility for training a child should rest with the father. In the exercise of parental authority there must always be the principle of reasonableness, that the obedience of the child may be constrained by love.

The next relationship in the Christian household is that between servants and masters. Service is to be rendered, ever remembering that the final standard must come from the Lord Himself, and is to be rendered as to Him. Masters also are to rule always from the standpoint of loyalty to Christ. The master's relation to his servant will depend on his relation to his own Master in heaven.

The apostle now turned to the subject of conflict. Life on earth after the pattern of the heavens is bound to bring the soul into conflict with all the forces that are opposed to God. He recognized that behind all the opposition of man is the more terrific opposition of spiritual powers. If, however, there is the revelation of a terrible conflict, there is no room for cowardly fear. Perfect provision is made for the saint. Concerning this armor the apostle has two injunctions. First, 'Tut on the whole amour of God"; second, "Take up the whole armour of God," indicating equipment and actual conflict. Then the saint is "to stand," and "to withstand," and, 'laving done all, to stand." The letter ends with personal matters, every one of which is interesting and suggestive, and, finally, the benediction.