Ephesians 6
Outline:
I. \\#1:1-3:21\\ The Position of the Christian
A. \\#1:1-14\\ Praise for Redemption
1. \\#1:1, 2\\ Salutation from Paul
2. \\#1:3-6\\ Chosen by the Father
3. \\#1:7-12\\ Redeemed by the Son
4. \\#1:13, 14\\ Sealed by the Spirit
B. \\#1:15-23\\ Prayer for the Ephesians
C. \\#2:1-2:22\\ Position of the Christian
1. \\#2:1-10\\ The Christian’s Position Individually
2. \\#2:11-2:22\\ The Christian’s Position Corporately
D. \\#3:1-13\\ Paul’s Ministry in God’s Work
E. \\#3:14-19\\ Paul’s Prayer and Desire for the Ephesians
F. \\#3:20-21\\ Paul’s Doxology
II. \\#4:1-6:24\\ The Practice of the Christian
A. \\#4:1-16\\ Exhortation to Unity
1.\\#4:1-3\\ Unity in the Church
2.\\#4:4-6\\ Commonality in the Church
3. \\#4:7\\ The Difference in the Church
4. \\#4:8-16\\ The Gifts in the Church
B. \\#4:17-5:21\\ Exhortation to Holiness
1. \\#4:17-22\\ Put Off the Old Man
2. \\#4:23-32\\ Put On the New Man
3. \\#5:1-5:20\\ Be Followers of Christ
c. \\#5:1-2\\ Be Loving
d. \\#5:3-5\\ Be Clean
e. \\#5:6-20\\ Be Wise
C. \\#5:21-6:9\\ Exhortation to Submission
1. \\#5:21\\ The Command
2. \\#5:22-24\\ Wives: Submit to Your Husbands
3. \\#5:25-33\\ Husbands: Love Your Wives
4. \\#6:1-4\\ Children: Obey Your Parents
5. \\#6:5-8\\ Servants
6. \\#6:9\\ Masters
D. \\#6:10-18\\ Conduct in the Conflict
1. \\#6:10\\ Be Strong in the Lord
2. \\#6:11-18\\ Put On the Armor of God
E. \\#6:19-24\\ Conclusion
1. \\#19-20\\ Pray for Boldness
2. \\#21-24\\ Good Bye
III. Paul’s Exhortation to Submission continues.
A. \\#5:21\\ The Command
B. \\#5:22-24\\ Wives: Submit to Your Husbands
C. \\#5:25-33\\ Husbands: Love Your Wives
D. \\#6:1-4\\ Children: Obey Your Parents
1. \\#1\\ "Children, obey your parents" - Here the word obey
is used.
a. Obedience can be forced by the authority but
submission is a gift of the follower.
(1) "Obedience" - Children are being told to obey in
their actions and behaviors to their parents.
If they refuse, their parents are authorized by
God to use measures of force.
(2) It is interesting that wife’s are always told to
submit while children are always told to obey.
(3) Even so, God will warn the parents not to abuse
this authority over their children. The
parents’ goal is to bend and to shape the
child’s will without breaking it.
b. "in the Lord" - Paul’s command here pertains to
Christian parents and Christian children.
c. "for it is right" - Christian children should obey
their Christian parents because it is the right thing
to do.
2. \\#2\\ "Honour thy father and mother"
a. Paul quoted \\#Ex 2:12\\, one of the Ten Commandments.
b. To honor is to respect, to seek to please. It is a
higher calling than either obedience or submission.
c. "which is the first commandment" - The first in the
list of Ten Commandments.
d. "with promise" - Paul continues the quote but from
Deuteronomy in the next verse.
3. \\#3\\ "may be well… live long" - The command from Exodus
is repeated and expanded in \\#Deut 5:16\\. The blessing
is that God would bless is with goodness and long life
for honoring our parents.
4. \\#4\\ TO THE FATHERS
a. As the Lord gave a command to wives and then one of
protection for the wives to the husbands, so God
gives a command to the children and then one of
protection for the children to the fathers.
b. "provoke not your children" - Fathers are not to deal
with their children in a way that would cause anger
and resentment on the child’s part.
c. "but… in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" -
Again authority is never given for the benefit of
authority but for the help and benefit of those under
it."
E. \\#6:5-8\\ Servants
1. \\#5\\ "Servants, be obedient to… your masters" - There is
no doubt that this passage was directed to slaves. God
commanded slaves to "obey" their masters, that is to have
their behaviors to comply. God will also warn the
masters to treat their slaves well \\#9\\ Today, these
verses have application to employees and workers.
2. \\#5-6\\ How should servants serve?
a. \\#5\\ "with fear and trembling" - God does command
more than right behavior. He requires fear for these
masters had almost unlimited authority over their
slaves.
b. "singleness of heart as unto Christ"
(1) For Christians, it was a matter of obeying
Christ.
(2) "singleness" speaks of having just one purpose.
That purpose is to serve Jesus even if you are a
slave.
(3) \\#6\\ "Not with eyeservice" - Servants are not
serve just enough to make it look good.
i. "but as the servants of Christ" - Another
reference to emphasize for whom it the
servant is really working.
ii. Serving Jesus via serving your master is
"the will of God" for the servant.
Note - It angers some that God did not condemn slavery and stop it.
Several thoughts:
1. While God did not condemn slavery, neither did He start it.
Slavery was man’s invention and while God tells man what to
do, it is always man’s choice what he does.
2. God was and is more focused on a much greater slavery, the
slavery to sin and Satan. While all slavery is wrong, that
slavery bears much greater sorrow and suffering. If man
would obey God and be free from sin, perhaps man would find
freedom from being a slave altogether.
c. \\#7\\ "with good will" - This is the most powerful
term used so far to show how slaves are to serve.
(1) They are to serve with good will in their hearts
to their masters.
(2) "as to the Lord" - This is the third time in
three verses that God has associated service to
a master with service to Christ.
d. \\#8\\ "knowing… he shall receive of the Lord"
(1) The promise is that what good the servants give
to their masters shall be returned by the Lord!
(2) God promises to bless and His blessings are not
limited to the free man but to the bond also!
3. If this is how slaves were to serve their masters, with
how much more dedication should a worker work who has the
right to select his employer?
F. \\#6:9\\ Masters
1. Remember that all of these are but illustrations of the
command God gave in \\#Eph 5:21\\, we are to submit one
to another. Here that command is illustrated to the
Christian masters.
2. "do the same things unto them"
a. As the servants are told to genuinely serve the
masters as Jesus, willing them good while they do; so
the masters are told to now treat their servants.
b. Yet, regardless of what treatment is received, the
each individual is commanded to treat the other as
the Lord.
3. "forbearing threatening" - If the threat of violence was
prohibited, can we not assume that any violence itself
was prohibited?
4. "knowing that your Master" - And just like all are slaves
to sin so all have a Master in heaven. Realizing that
does not make owning another right, but it does put it
into prospective.
IV. \\#6:10-24\\ Conduct in the Conflict
A. \\#6:10\\ Be Strong in the Lord - Paul made this his last
major discussion.
1. The command to "be strong" can be understood to mean
that we are to do the things that will MAKE us strong.
Paul will give examples.
2. "in the Lord" - Means the strength that we seek is not
physical, political, or mental, but spirit strength, a
strength in our standing before God.
B. \\#6:11-17\\ Put On the Armor of God
1. \\#11-13\\ Paul first laid out a rational to explain and
emphasis what the Christian must do.
a. \\#11\\ A Command - "put on the whole armour of God"
The key to becoming and staying strong in the Lord
is to properly "suit up" for the battle.
(1) Our Need - "put on" - Notice, it is the
believers decision and duty to do the things
that are described.
(2) Our Enemy - "against the wiles of the devil"
There is an enemy, the devil, who seeks to
deceive and destroy us.
(3) Our Goal - "that ye may be able to stand" - But
if we do what Paul taught, we will be able to
withstand the him.
b. \\#12\\ A Cause
(1) "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood"
Physical weapons do not work because this is not
a physical enemy or warfare.
(2) Rather we wrestle against:
(a) "principalities" - It means the beginning or
first powers. This is a reference to the
fallen angels that God set in authority
first. That includes some very powerful
demons.
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation, he
hath reserved in everlasting chains under
darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
(b) "powers" - Means authorities, forces,
influences. This is probably a reference
to all powers and influences that now work
against us, perhaps even including our own
internal weaknesses.
(c) "rulers of darkness" - Means the world-ruler
and is probably a direct reference to the
devil.
(d) "spiritual wickedness in high places" - A
reference to the pure evil that is in
places of authority.
(e) This list then includes the physical and
spiritual, the external and internal, the
personal and the intangible. Christians
have their hands full!
c. \\#13\\ A Conclusion
(1) "Wherefore" - Based on what Paul just said.
(2) Paul basically repeated the command he gave in
\\#11\\, including his emphasis on putting on
ALL of the armor and it giving us the ability to
"stand."
(3) "evil day" - However, Paul added that the armor
not only enables to stand against the evil one
but also in the evil day.
(a) Paul was hinting that a time will come when
the devil’s will and work will be engrained
even into the time period itself.
(b) Perhaps this is a reference to the
tribulation.
(c) Every generation has believed they lived in
such a time but I think we are getting very
close to the specific day of which Paul was
warning.
(4) "having done all, to stand" - And Paul added this
phrase. Paul seemed to say that doing these
eight things is all there is to do. There is
nothing more, meaning that having done these
things, we are completely safe in the Lord.
2. \\#14-17\\ The Proper Equipment
a. \\#14\\ "loins girt about with truth"
(1) Their girdle was like our belt but it covered
more. It provided a place to tuck one’s robe
and it helped to keep one’s private areas
covered.
(2) So truth makes the private areas of our life just
as right as the areas that everyone sees.
(3) This is not truth in dealing with others. This
is truth that covers OUR private areas. This is
truth in dealing with self.
(a) Too many people are self deceived.
(b) They see themselves as good when they are
not, as saved when they are not, as serving
God when they are not.
(c) A strong Christian must settle the issue of
truth from the first.
(d) He must examine the Scriptures truthfully,
never doctoring or skirting them for the
comfort of himself or another.
b. "having on the breastplate of righteousness"
(1) The breastplate covers the heart.
(2) The second in the list and so the second most
important is that the Christian practice what he
believes not only in his life but also in his
heart.
(3) Living what you believe protects their heart from
grief, shame, and failure.
(a) Too many are living compromise lives and not
realizing that their life is causing their
broken and hurting hearts.
(b) Quit shooting yourself in the foot and
blaming it on God.
(4) While it is true that none are perfect, it should
be the Christian’s daily goal to be so.
c. \\#15\\ Our feet should be shod with PEACE
(1) An army marches forward on its FEET.
(a) Roman sandals were designed for advancement
in all conditions and terrain.
(b) Without the proper footwear, they are going
to advance very far very fast.
(c) And so without a peaceful spirit and
presentation, the gospel will not advance
very far.
(2) It should not surprise us that God mentioned
peace so high up in His list.
(a) The believers goal is not to create division
or strife and our methods should not be to
insult or antagonize. Those already
exists!
(b) We are called to bring peace between God and
the sinner.
2Co 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(c) Ours is not an enemy to be killed but
converted and that by their own will!
(3) Many of God’s servants forget their sandals!
d. \\#16\\ "Above all, taking the shield of faith"
(1) "Above all" - While God did not list faith as the
first thing a Christian needs, He did list it as
the most important thing a Christian needs.
(2) The shield’s advantage is that it is mobile,
protecting whatever needs to be protected.
(3) So our faith is flexible. As long as we have
confidence in the Lord; wherever evil’s attack
may be, our faith will protect us.
(4) "fiery darts of the wicked" - A dart may be a
small projectile to a spear. The size of the
dart does not matter, but the strength of the
shield! Have a strong faith.
(5) However, a shield may be left behind. For a
shield to do you any good, you must have it
with you.
e. \\#17\\ "take the helmet of salvation"
(1) Helmets protect the head and brain.
(2) This piece of armor means Satan will attack us
mentally as surely as he will attack our spirits
and bodies.
(3) We will never be sound of mind if we do not have
assurance of salvation.
f. "and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God"
(1) The only offensive weapon in the Christian
arsenal.
(2) Notice our offensive weapon is not our wit, our
temperament, our craftiness, or any other but
our skill in handling the Bible.
(3) God’s Word both builds us up and defeats our
enemy.
3. \\#18\\ The Proper Actions
a. The seventh and eighth pieces of the armor is the
means by which we put on the armor and wear it.
b. Every piece of armor should be covered and wrapped in
prayer.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit….
(1) Prayer is the spiritual key which units and
energies all the individuals parts of the armor.
(2) While every part is useful in itself, prayer
gives our armor super-natural powers.
c. Every piece of the armor should be strapped on and
worn with a watchful eye.
Eph 6:18 …watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(1) A soldier fully garbed can still be asleep at his
post.
(2) The Christian must be alert to his surroundings
and to the movements of the enemy as well as his
own troops.
4. As you consider the Christian’s armor, let me give you
three more thoughts:
a. There is no protection for the back. Why?
(1) Because the child of God is to be going forward
not backwards. Quit and run, and you are on
your own.
(2) Bro. Ronny Wildman recently pointed out another
perspective on this fact.
(a) It is the duty of the other soldiers to have
your back covered.
(b) We are not in this alone. We could not win
this fight alone. We need each other!
b. Proper training is needed.
(1) A great weapon in the hands of a novice is of no
more value than a heavy rock.
(2) The only way to be proficient in using a weapon
is to practice with it, to use it.
(3) How much does a concert pianist practice? A
trick quick draw shooter? A proficient sniper?
(4) Christians must be able to use their armor by
continuously practicing their walk with Christ.
c. You must be fit.
(1) We all know the physical training that soldiers
must go through both at the beginning and
throughout their military tour.
(2) Christians must stay in top spiritual shape.
(3) The only malady or sickness that can afflict a
Christian is sin.
(a) Maybe the sin of laziness.
(b) Maybe the sin of compromise.
(c) Or just the sin of sin.
V. \\#6:19-24\\ Conclusion
A. \\#19-20\\ Pray for Boldness
1. \\#19\\ "and for me" - Paul having mentioned prayer as one
of the attitudes we must have in wearing the armor, used
that thought to transition to his close.
a. Paul asked for prayer for himself personally.
b. "that utterrance might be given" - That he might speak
"boldly… the mystery of the gospel" - Perhaps Paul,
like ourselves, at times felt self-conscience about
speaking for Jesus.
2. \\#20\\ "for which I am an ambassador in bonds" - We are
reminded that this is a Prison Epistle, written from the
prison in Rome.
3. "that …I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" - Having
guards, chains, and a pending appointment with the
emperor might crimp someone’s boldness. Paul was aware
of the danger and sought prayer to remedy any effect his
current condition might have.
B. \\#21-24\\ Good Bye
1. \\#21\\ "Tychicus" is mentioned several times in the New
Testament. He traveled with Paul \\#Acts 20:4\\ and was
to deliver Paul’s writings to Ephesus \\#Eph 6:21\\ and
Colosse \\#Col 4:7\\. While Paul was in prison, Tychicus
served as his amanuensis \\#Eph 6:24, Col 4:18\\.
2. \\#22\\ "Whom I have sent unto you" - Tychicus did his
work faithfully \\#2Tim 4:12, Titus 3:12\\.
3. \\#23-24\\ Paul closed with three blessings upon his
readers.
a. \\#23\\ "Peace" - He prayed that God would grant them
rest with God, rest with others, and rest within
themselves.
b. "love with faith" - He prayed that God would grant
them the ability to put others ahead of themselves
while believing that God was in charge, working all
things out for His glory.
c. \\#24\\ Grace - He prayed God would work in them and
through them to touch all of those that sincerely
loved Jesus Christ.
The end.
<Outline
Index> <Close Window>
