Bible Commentaries

John Brown

Ephesians 6:1-9

I. INTRODUCTION

A. In the last2studies, we discovered what the Lord expects from a Christian wife and a Christian husband.

1. In this whole6-part study on Christian Behavior, we have learned the practical side of being "in the world but not of the world."

2. As Christians, we are supposed to be "positively" different than the world!

a) A Christian husband and wife are supposed to treat each other differently that than their secular counter-parts.

b) In tonight's study, we will see that even Chistian children are supposed to be different.

(1) There is a certain "Christian Behavior" that the Lord expects out of them.

c) And lastly, the same applies to Christian employers and employees.

d) Let's take a look.

II. TEXT

A. Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:

3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

A child is a curly, dimpled lunatic--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger desires--Marcelene Cox

1. BDB/Thayers # 5219hupakouo {hoop-ak-oo"-o} =be obedient to, to submit to, to listen to as one who upon the knock at the door comes to listen who it is.

2. This comes from the great Apostle Paul, writer of most of the New Testament, and he uses as his reference to validate this statement the6th of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:12

3. In speaking about wisdom Proverbs 3:16 says the Length of days [is] in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

a) Here's the point:a young person who is smart enough to realize that the Lord had place mom and dad in their life for a reason, will escape many of life's trials and hardships!

b) If we would only listen, when we are young, and learn from mom and dad's mistakes, we would not have to make them ourselves!

c) And from this acquired Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

1. The Greek word translated provoke = to exasperate = to enrage = to enflame.

a) In other words, Christian parents are not supposed to pick on their children and make their life unbearable.

(1) For most children they think that means no grounding, no restrictions, or anything that might otherwise keep them from doing whatever they want to do, but that is not what this scripture means at all.

b) A parent is in a child's life for the very purpose of training and admonishing them in the Lord.

(1) That means they, by order of the Lord and this commandment here in Ephesians 6:4, they cannot always give their child everything he/or she wants.

(a) Because, what he/she wants may not lead to Godliness at all!

c) What this verse does means is that parents should not purposely try to discourage their children by picking on them.

2. Please notice that at least in this verse, Paul considers it the father's responsibility to train the children in the Lord.

a) Now that doesn"t mean that mom shouldn"t participate, or perhaps even be a strong leader in this area, but it does mean that Christian father's are suppose to take a very active role in this training.

(1) The next logical question would be, "How do I do that?"

3. Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NKJV) "Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

19 "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

20 "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

21 "that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

a) Notice these verses speak of three methods of teaching our children, and two attitudes from which this teaching must take place!!

(1) First, we must know the ways of the Lord before we can teach them to our children!

(2) Second, these things need to be a part and practice of our lives, not just something we want our children to live by!!

(a) Otherwise it becomes a, "Don"t do as I do, do as I say!"And all of us hate that.

Children learn more out of the classroom than in it. Indeed, they should bear down on their textbooks, but what they pick up by watching us oldsters and what they glean by the wayside May mean more than what they cram in class-Havner

As young Johnny reached for the phone one Saturday, his dad sighed through his teeth; "If it's the guy from the office, tell him I"m not home." That evening the family went out for dinner. Before leaving the restaurant, Johnny's dad looked at the check and mentioned that the waitress had undercharged them. "That's their tough luck," mumbled his mom. On the way home, they joked about the box that dad had bought for the dashboard of the car. He called it the "fuzz buster" and bragged that it had already paid for itself when considering the speeding tickets he might otherwise had received. Later that night, as Johnny finished his Sunday School lesson, he thanked the Lord that it had been a good Saturday, much better than last weekend! Last Saturday his parents had grounded him for cheating on his math test!!!! --Green

b) The "methods" described here in Deuteronomy 11:18-21, have more to do with frequency and opportunity than with technique.

(1) First: "When you are sitting in your home."

(a) Hopefully that is often!

(2) Second: when your are out any where taking a walk.

(3) And thirdly: when you go to bed, and rise in the morning!

(a) Nigh time prayer and storytelling is a wonderful way to teach children about the Lord!

(b) Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(i) According to his "bent"!!

c) Now Paul turns his attention to Salves and Master, which in today's world translate to employers and employees.

III. EMPLOYEES

Two neighbor ladies were talking over the back fence and one said, "I understand your husband finally found a job." "Yes," said his wife. "It's hard work and he says it is killing him. But thank God, it's permanent."

A. Ephesians 6:5-8 (NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether [he] [is] a slave or free.

Employees in a Detroit business office found the following notice on the bulletin board: "The management regrets that it has come to their attention that workers dying on the job are failing to fall down. This practice must stop, as it become impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of the staff. Any employee found dead in the upright position will be dropped from the payroll."

1. It is interesting that the word "obedient" in verse5 , is the same Greek word used for the Children in verse1 "obey your parents, for this is right."

a) Adults are supposed to give their employers the same respect that they want their children to have for them!

(1) Not always questioning every decision they make, or resisting every change in the company, but just doing what they are asked, and trusting the Lord for the rest!

(2) And just like we do not want our children obeying with resentment, Paul admonishes adult workers to respect their employers with "sincerity of heart."

(3) He goes on to say, that as Christians we should not just work while we are being watched (eye service), as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

(a) Because, like the Kosher Hot Dogs, a Christian answers to a much higher call.

(i) He is really working for the Lord!

(4) Then in verse8 we are reminded of the principle of "sowing and reaping".

(a) If you are an employee of honor and integrity, although some employers may not appreciate you, the does and will ultimately honor you for your Christ-like work ethic.

IV. EMPLOYERS

A. Ephesians 6:9 (NKJV) 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.

1. As a Christian, the Lord requires the same work ethic from the employer as the employee.

2. They are to treat their employees with respect and appreciation.

3. And above all, they are expected to keep their word and promises, and not play politics, because there is no partiality with the Lord!

V. CONCLUSION

A. At times, raising children, and working for a living seems hopeless!

1. We must remember, that at a time when Pharaoh was drowning babies, Moses, the savior of his people, was born!

2. At a time when Jewish children were born in the slavery of Babylon, some godly parents raised a young man like Daniel who made a stand for God!!

3. When Herod was murdering all the male children, God's own Ephesians 6:10-24

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Tonight we conclude our study of the book of Ephesians.

1. We have seen how a Christian is supposed to live his/her life drastically different than the world!

2. Proper, Biblical Christianity affects our personal lives, our marriages, our children, our jobs, and now finally even how we "dress" and how we "fight!

3. The Apostle Paul is now going to conclude by reminding us that we are soldiers in a war against the enemy of Christ.

a) And he will describe the equipment we need to survive the battle.

II. TEXT

A. Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

1. A "weak" soldier is a dead soldier!He must be strong and alert at all times.

2. But this is not a "conventional" war.It is a spiritual war!

a) 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

b) Therefore we must use spiritual weapons, and the power behind that weaponry is Jesus Christ.

(1) Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This [is] the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," Says the Lord of hosts.

(2) If a Christians tries to fight this battle in the flesh, he will lose in the flesh. If he fight in the Spirit, he will win in the Spirit.

(a) Because satan is a master in and of the flesh, but Jesus has already beat him in the Spirit!

B. Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

1. Of the armor of God, we are to leave nothing off! All of it is absolutely essential for victory.

2. Paul make reference to being able to "stand".

a) A soldiers armor was heavy, and he was most vulnerable when knocked down.

(1) So it is with a Christian soldier.He should make every effort not to fall in the first place!!

3. The word "wiles" = trickery or craftiness.satan is very slippery and slimy.

a) You and I will not be able to stand against him on our own and here's why.

C. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) 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].

1. Paul describes for us, satan's most effective and common arsenal for us in this verse.

2. Principalities = very simply this means "leaders", but it runs much deeper that that.

a) It also means = first, beginning, cornerstone, to commence

(1) Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) 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.

1. Get the armor on and KEEP IT ON! (stand)Remember you are most vulnerable if you fall!

2. Now Paul is going to describe the armor of God in a little more detail.

E. Ephesians 6:14 (NKJV) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Picture yourself as a Roman soldier, putting on your battle gear.

1. The first thing he had to do was get his garments up and out of the way so he wouldn"t trip on them.

2. It is God's truth = His Word = that keeps us from tripping and falling!

a) If we don"t make this the first part of every battle we will be tripping and falling all over ourselves.

b) All the enemy will have to do is overtake us while we are on the ground with our garment wrapped around our ankles.

3. Next, the soldier would protect his vital organs with a thick metal breastplate that swords could not puncture.

a) satan's swords, and darts, and arrows, cannot penetrate the righteousness of Christ.

(1) He tried at the cross, but it didn"t work!

F. Ephesians 6:15 (NKJV) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

1. Next the soldier puts on his shoes.

a) Wars have been won and lost because of the condition of soldiers" feet.

b) Their shoes must carry them many miles and yet provide comfort.

(1) The "good news" = gospel = is the only thing that can give the Christian soldier peace and comfort in his lifelong battle!

G. Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

1. The soldier would always have his shield ready for battle.

a) The shield was a defensive weapon and would be as large as the soldier could carry.

b) The idea was to be able to hide as much of his body behind it as he possibly could.

(1) We are told here that a Christian soldier will be able to repel all of satan's arrows if we hide behind our faith in Jesus!

H. Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

1. Next the soldier puts on his helmet!

a) This of course of to protect his head.He wouldn"t be of much use if he survived the battle but came back brain dead!

b) Also, in the midst of battle if he took a blow to the head, all the other gear became useless.

(1) A Christian soldier's "thinking process" is protected by his salvation!

(a) In other words, in the midst of battle and the long journey that is ahead of us, our salvation makes it all worth while!

(b) That is why we are encouraged to keep our mind on eternity. We have already won!

2. Next we see the soldier's sword.

a) This was an offensive and defensive weapon.He could do some damage with his sword as well as protect himself.

b) We are told that that for the Christian, this is a spiritual sword and that it is the Word of God.

(1) BDB/Thayers # 4487 rhema hray"-mah} =1) that which is or has been uttered by the living voice = a series of words joined together into a sentence (a declaration of one's mind made in words) speech.

(a) In other words this is the "spoken" word of God!!

(i) The Word of God becomes a defensive weapon when we speak it to ourselves and remind ourselves of God promises.

(a) It is an ointment for the soul.

(ii) It becomes an offensive weapon when we remind satan that he is already defeated!

(a) It is salt in his wounds and weakens his strongholds.

I. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

1. This is out a doubt one of our greatest and least used weapons in the Christian arsenal. = PRAYER

a) It is to be done ALL THE TIME!

b) Paul divides it up into two areas for the sake of our study tonight: prayer and supplication.

(1) Prayer = prayer addressed to the Lord

(a) I think this would be praise and worship for who He is and what He has done.

(2) And supplication = asking and seeking him for personal wants.

(3) Paul reminds the Ephesians and us to make supplication for all the saints!!

(a) And them he tells them what they can pray for him about.

J. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NKJV) 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,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1. "Pray that I will bold as I proclaim the gospel!"

2. And then he closes

III. CONCLUSION

A. Ephesians 6:21-24 (NKJV) 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;

22whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and [that] he may comfort your hearts.

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

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