Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
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THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS
CHAPTER SIX:
“PUT ON THE COMPLETE SUIT OF ARMOR”
[“Battle Panoply”]
Key word: Stand!
Theme Verse: 11
Ephesians 6:1-4 – Children and Fathers
EP6:1 Children,
continue to obey your parents in relation to the Lord
for this is the right thing to do
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| 312 | Children: The subject raised in Ephesians 5:21 continues. Not only can marital relationships affect Church unity, but also the family is the cornerstone to harmony in the Nazarene community. In Israel Moses called also the ‘children and little ones’ to gather for instruction. Deuteronomy 29:10, 11, “Your small children are this day stationed before Yehowah.” Deuteronomy 31:12, “Assemble all the people, the men and the women and their small children.” It would seem there was no such church nursery. |
| 313 | Continue to obey your parents in relation to the Lord: Or, TCN: obey your parents as children of the Lord; GDS: Children, as Christians, obey your parents; BAR: this is your Christian duty. We note the word “obey” is used of children and slaves but not wives. Here obey is equated with honor though Jesus adds material aid as part of this honor. Colossians 3:20 has it, “Children, the Lord approves children who obey your parents completely.” |
| 314 | For this is the right thing to do: Or, righteous. Or, KNX: it is your duty; PME: the right thing for you to do. “This obedience and honor to parents is the right thing to do.” Human society and civilization depends on one generation raising and educating the next. If one generation has low moral standards the next generation will be even lower. |
EP6:2 “Honor your father and mother,”
[Exodus 20:12] which is the first commandment with a promise,
| 315 | Honor your father and mother: This is a quote of Exodus 20:12 from the Ten Commandments. Jesus also quotes the same commandment
at Matthew 15:4 (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Matthew 15:4). |
EP6:3 “So that it will go well with you and you will live long on the earth.”
[Exodus 20:12]
| 316 | So that it will go well: TCN: mayest prosper; BAR: a prosperous and a long life. Failure to listen to or obey one’s
parent had led to a life of misery on the part of millions of children. |
EP6:4 And, fathers:
Do not induce anger in your children
but nurture them
in child-training
and the putting of the Master’s mind within them. | 317 | Fathers: We note the responsibility for rearing the children falls mainly on the father with the mother not mentioned here. However, compare Proverbs 23:22. Proverbs 1:8 exhorts, “Do not forsake the law
of your mother.” (Proverbs 6:20) |
| 318 | Do not induce anger in your children: Or, KJV: provoke not your children to wrath; ALF: fret not your children to anger; CON: vex not your children; PME: don’t overcorrect; TCN: do not irritate your children; WMS: stop exasperating your children; KNX: do not rouse children to resentment; NEB: must not goad your children to resentment; BAR resentful. Colossians 3:21 had it, “All of you fathers, avoid irritating your children so that they do not become discouraged.” [NCMM] Fathers may cause this by over-correction, double-standard hypocritical actions, correcting the wrong child, and household standards that are not consistent. |
| 319 | Nurture them: Or, TCN: bring them up; CON: training; WMS: education; BECK: raise them. Proverbs 22:6 exhorts, “Train a youth in the right way.” |
| 320 | Child-training: The Greek is paideia. Or, KJV: chastening; TCN: Christian discipline; CON: correction. Proverb 13:24, “The father who refrains from using the rod actually hates his son.” Proverbs 19:18, “While there is yet time and the hope exists, discipline your son.” |
| 321 | Putting of the Master’s mind within them: Or, KJV: admonition of the Lord; TCN: Christian discipline and instruction; CON: correction as befits the servants of the Lord; WMS: counsel the Lord approves; BEC: letting the Lord train and correct them. Just as the husband bathes his wife in the teachings of the Lord, the father also takes the lead in the Biblical instruction of the children. Deuteronomy 4:9, “You must make them known to your sons and to your grandsons.” (NWT) Deuteronomy 6:7, “You must instill God’s law in your children. Talk to them in your homes, during walks together, in the evening before bed-time, and also upon first rising in the morning.” Putting the Nazarene Master’s mind (1 Corinthians 2:16) in children includes reading the Gospels to them. Perhaps the Gospel of Mark could be the first for it is filled with action and stories. Relating other Bible stories and highlighting godly principles or important lessons has a far-reaching affect on young minds and hearts. |
Ephesians 6:5-9 – Slaves and Masters
EP6:5 Slaves:
continue to obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling
with a simple and sincere heart
just as you would Christ.
| 322 | Slaves: The subject of submission continues from Ephesians 5:21. 1 Timothy 6:1, “All those who are under a yoke of slavery, let them consider their own lords worthy of all honor, lest the Name of The God and the Teaching be blasphemed.” (NCMM) 1 Peter 2:18, “Household domestics should subject themselves to their masters in fear, not only to those who are good and reasonable, but also to those crooked.” (NCMM) Read Paul’s letter to Philemon. Nowhere does Paul try to upset the social and cultural structure of Israel (which tolerated slaves) or Rome. When Paul writes in Galatians 3:28 that there is “neither slave nor freeman” he does not mean such relationships do not exist in the Christian Church. |
| 323 | Obey with fear and trembling: The Greek is phobou as in the context of wives at Ephesians 5:33. Or, CON: anxiety and self-distrust; TCN: anxious care; WEY: respect and eager anxiety; GDS: reverence and awe. All Christians are enjoined at Philippians 2:12 to do the same. Colossians 3:22-24, “All of you slaves, continue to obey your masters in everything – not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing the Master. What ever you are doing work whole-souled as if to the Master and not to humans. For you are aware that it is from the Master you will be awarded the inheritance. All of you [slaves], continue to serve the Master Christ.” (NCMM) |
| 324 | A simple and sincere heart: Or, KJV: in singleness of your heart; ALF: simplicity of your heart; TCN: ungrudging service; WEY: simplicity of motive. |
EP6:6 Do this, not in appearance only as men-pleasers,
but as slaves of Christ. You will be doing the will of The God
| 325 | Not in appearance only as men-pleasers: Or, KJV: not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; TCN: not only when their eyes hard
on you; GDS: not with mere external service; WMS: not serving them as though they were watching you; KNX: not with show of service which tries to win human favor; PME: not with the idea of currying favor. |
EP6:7 from
the inner person as good-minded slaves
as to the Master and not to men.
| 326 | The inner person as good-minded slaves: Or, ALF: from the heart with good will doing service; RHM: from the soul with good will rendering service; TCN: do your duties heartily and cheerfully; MON: slaving with good-will from your heart; NOR: do good work with good will. |
EP6:8 Each of you realize that the good you might do will be rewarded
by the Master – whether slave of freeman.
| 327 | The good you might do will be rewarded: Or, TCN: honest work; KNX: will be repaid by the Lord for every task well done. |
EP6:9 Also, slave-masters:
do the very same things toward your slaves.
Keep easing up in your threats,
realizing that like them you have the same Master in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. | 328 | Slave-masters: Or, NJB: employers. The Greek is “lords.” |
| 329 | Do the very same things toward your slaves: Or, WEY: act toward your slaves on the same principles. |
| 330 | Easing up in your threats: Or, CON: abstain from threats; KNX: there is no need to threaten them. This is very similar to Leviticus 25:43, “You must not tread down upon him with tyranny, and you must be in fear of your God.” (NWT) |
| 331 | No partiality with him: Or, TCN: no distinction of rank; PME: makes no distinction between master and man; NEB: he has no favourites; BEC: he doesn’t prefer one to another. 2 Chronicles 19:7, “Let the fear of Yehowah come over you. Be very cautious how you act for there is no unjust partiality with Yehowah.” But, also compare the Messiah’s characteristics as a judge at Isaiah 11:1-5. |
Ephesians 6:10-13 – The Complete Suit of Armor
EP6:10 Now on final matters: Continue to be empowered by YHWH
and in the mightiness of His strength.
| 332 | Continue to be empowered by YHWH: Or, KJV: be strong in the Lord; RHM: be empowering yourselves; CON: let your hearts be strengthened; TCN: find strength in your union with the Lord. See notes on Ephesians 3:16. The Greek lacks the article before kyrio and may suggest a Name went here. See notes on YHWH elsewhere. |
| 333 | In the mightiness of His strength: Or, KJV: power of his might; CON: conquering power; WEY: in the power of his boundless resource; KNX: from that mastery which his power supplies. |
EP6:11 Put on yourselves the complete armor
of The God so you will be able to stand against
the deceptive methods
of the Devil.
| 334 | Put on yourselves the complete armor: Literally, the panoply. Or, KJV: put on the whole armour of God; KNX: you must wear
all the weapons in God’s armory. See Romans 13:12. |
| 335 | Able to stand against: Or, PME: successfully
resist; TCN: able to stand your ground; BAR: able to resist. |
| 336 | Deceptive methods: The Greek is methodias. Or, RHM: strategies of the adversary; KNX: cunning of the devil; NEB: devices; NASB: schemes; PME: methods; TCN: stratagems. Note Luke 4:13 and how the Devil never gives up. |
EP6:12 Because we are not wrestling against blood and flesh,
but against heavenly hierarchies,
heavenly authorities,
heavenly world-rulers of this darkness,
against wicked spirit-beings in the Celestialum .
| 337 | We are not wrestling against blood and flesh: Or, RHM: our struggle; WMS: our context is not with human foes alone; PME:
our fight is not against any physical enemy. [2 Timothy 4:7] |
| 338 | Hierarchies: Or, Arch-rulers. Or,
KJV principalities; WEY: despotisms; BAR: demonic rulers. (Romans 8:38) |
| 339 | Authorities: Or, KJV: powers; WEY: empires. |
| 340 | Heavenly world-rulers of this darkness: Or, Cosmoscrats of this darkness. The Greek is cosmocratopas: Or, KIT: world-mighty ones; ASV: world-rulers of this darkness; CON: sovereigns of this present darkness; GDS: the master-spirits of this dark world; WMS: cosmic powers of this dark world; TAY: evil princes of darkness who rule this world; WEY: force that control and govern this dark world. |
| 341 | Wicked spirit-beings in the Celestialum: Or, KJV: spiritual wickedness in high places; KNX: malign influences in an order higher than ours; TAY: against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world; BAR: spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. |
EP6:13 Because of this take up the complete armor of The God
so that you might be able to offer resistance in the wicked day,
and having worked out everything to hold your stance. | 342 | Take up the complete armor of The God: The Greek is panoplian. Or, KJV: the whole armour of God. Compare 2 Corinthians 6:7. |
| 343 | Able to offer resistance in the wicked day: Or, WEY: stand your ground; WMS: in the day when evil attacks you. |
| 344 | Having worked out everything to hold your stance: Or, CON: having overthrown them all, to stand unshaken; TCN: having fought to the end, to remain victors on the field; WMS: after
having completely finished the contest, to hold your own; KNX: be found still on your feet, when all the task is over; BAR: see things through to the end. Compare notes on Colossians 2:7. |
Ephesians 6:14-20 – Stand Firm in the Divine Armor
EP6:14 So, all of you continue to stand firm with your
loins girded about in truth.
[Isaiah 11:5] Also put on yourselves
the breastplate of righteousness,
[Isaiah 59:17]
| 345 | Stand firm with your loins girded about in truth: Or, TCN: stand your ground, then, with truth for your belt; NEB: buckle
on the belt of truth. There is a strong allusion in Paul’s thought here and that in the prophet. Isaiah 11:5, “… his loins girdled with righteousness and his sides clothed with truth.” (LXX) A soldier’s firm fighting stance begins
with the power of his hips and thighs. Truth is this foundation in the Christians battle with demonic forces. |
| 346 |
Put on yourselves the breastplate of righteousness: Or, NEB: for cat of mail put on integrity; GDS: uprightness; KNX: justice. The heart and its motives must be guarded and protected at all costs. Proverbs 4:23, “Safeguard your heart.” Again
Paul echoes Isaiah: Isaiah 59:17, “… righteousness as a breastplate.” (LXX) It is surely a strong allusion. Some also suggest Wisdom 5:18. |
EP6:15 binding on your
feet
sandals ready with
the good news of peace.
[Isaiah 52:7]
| 347 | Sandals ready with the good news of peace: Or, KJV: preparation of the gospel; ALF: readiness of the gospel; KNX: in readiness
to publish; TCN: with the readiness to service the Good News of Peace as shoes for your feet; CON: ready messengers; BAR: preparedness to preach the gospel. This is another allusion to the prophet Isaiah 52:7, “… the feet of one preaching the good news of peace.” |
EP6:16 By all means take up the
large shield of the Faith,
[Psalm 91:8] with which you will be able to extinguish all the wicked one’s burning missiles.
| 348 | Large shield of the Faith: Or, WMS: shield which faith provides; WEY: the great shield. Psalm 91:4 in Hebrew comes so close to this to make Paul’s phrase an allusion to the psalmist, “His faithfulness will be a large shield.” Doubt is the Enemy’s greatest weapon for it undermines trust and confidence in God. Note the word “if” in the Devil’s temptation of Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-8) 1 Thessalonians 5:8 adds, “… the breastplate of faith and love.” |
| 349 | Extinguish all the wicked one’s burning missiles: Or, KJV: quench all the fiery darts; RHM: ignited darts; WMS: fire-tipped arrows. Proverbs 26:18 in Hebrew is very similar to Paul’s phrase, “… someone mad that is shooting fiery missiles.” Satan’s “darts” include: doubt, fear, peer pressure, pride, greed and pleasure. There are “teachings of demons” which contradict Biblical truth. (1 Timothy 4:1) Paul also warns of egocentric philosophy, “The philosopher may set forth some theory about the nature of the universe but not the teachings of Christ.” (Colossians 2:9 NOR) |
EP6:17 Accept
the helmet of the Salvation,
[Isaiah 59:17] as well as the spiritual sword which is the Message of God.
| 350 | Accept the helmet of the Salvation: Or, WMS: take the helmet salvation provides. Isaiah 59:17, “… and the
helmet of salvation upon his head.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “… helmet the hope of salvation.” When one looses hope in salvation all is lost. This is very much related to doubt and the loss of faith. It does not begin with God but with
those elemental teachings associated with God. And, then, in the end, it finally encompasses God Himself. |
| 351 |
Spiritual sword which is the Message of God: Or, KJV: the sword of the Spirit; RHM: which is what God hath spoken; GDS: the voice of God. God’s Living Word is likened to a sword. Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is living and energizes and
is sharper than any sword, cutting between the physical and the spiritual.” There are two texts that come close to this phrase of Paul. Isaiah 49:2, “(Yehowah) made my mouth like a sharpened sword.” Hosea 6:5, “I have slain them with
the words of my mouth.” Here there is the “Sword of the Spirit.” Compare also Revelation 19:13, 15, “His name is ‘The Word of The God’… and out of his mouth goes a long sharp sword.” A knowledge of God’s
Word is essential to wage the fine fight. It may be used in the right or left hand, that is defensively or offensively. (2 Corinthians 6:7) |
EP6:18 Keep awake in perseverance through prayer
in every season with spiritual supplications
concerning all the Saints.
| 352 | Keep awake in perseverance through prayer in every season in spiritual supplications: Or, GDS: every kind of prayer…
and at every opportunity; TAY: pray all the time. Colossians 4:2 has it, “Remain awake by constancy in prayer and thanksgiving.” Jude 20, “praying in harmony with holy Pneuma.” |
EP6:19 And
also for me, so that a word might be given to me by the opening of my mouth in outspokenness
– to make known the mystery of the good news
| 353 | Opening of my mouth in outspokenness: Or, KJV: boldly; TCN: when I begin to speak, words may be given me; NEB: granted
the right words. |
| 354 | To make known the mystery of the good news: Or, RHM: the sacred secret; NEB: the hidden purpose; TCN: inmost truth. |
EP6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains – so that I might speak the good news freely just as I feel obligated to speak. | 355 | Obligated to speak: Or, RHM: utterance as it is needful; TCN: may speak fearlessly as I ought; GDS: have the courage to speak; WMS: courageously as I ought; PME: as is my plain and obvious duty. Compare the way this is phrase at Colossians 4:3, 4, “At the same time continue praying for us, so that the God might open to us a door for the Word, in order to speak the mystery of the Christ, for which I am in prison-bonds. Also, so that I might make it manifest as I am obligated to speak.” (NCMM) |
Ephesians 6:21-22 – Send Tychicus
EP6:21 So that you might be aware of my own matters
– that is what I am doing – Tychicus
(a beloved brother and faithful deacon
of the Master) will make known to you.
| 356 | Might be aware of my own matters: Or, CON: informed of my concerns; BEC: what is happening to me. |
| 357 | Tychicus: His name means “Fortune.” This brother is mentioned also at Acts 20:2-4; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12.
Some think him the entrusted brother at 2 Corinthians 8:18, 19 and 2 Corinthians 12:18. |
| 358 | Beloved brother
and faithful deacon: Or, KJV: faithful minister; CON: faithful servant; TCN: faithful helper; NEB: trustworthy helper. He is described as a diaconos which is elsewhere rendered “deacon.” Such a faithful brother caring for the physical needs
of Paul and the congregations would be a “deacon.” |
EP6:22 I sent him for this very reason, so that he might make known how things are with us and also that he might comfort your
hearts. | 359 |
Comfort your hearts: Or, RHM: encourage; TCN: cheer your hearts; NEB: to put fresh heart into you; KNX: bring you courage. |
Ephesians 6:23-24 – Closing Petition
EP6:23 To all the brothers: Peace and love with faith
from God the Father and Master Jesus Christ!
| 360 | Love with faith: Or, TCN: love linked with faith; WEY: love combined with faith; BAR: love and faith combined. |
EP6:24 Unmerited charity to all those loving our Master Jesus Christ in purity. | 361 | In purity: Or, ASV: with a love incorruptible; TCN: undying love; KNX: immortal love; GDS: unfailing love. |
Review Questions on Chapter Six
- What counsel to children and fathers make for Church unity?
- What counsel is given to slaves and masters?
- What battle does Paul describe?
- What armor is needed to stand firm against the Devil?
- Who is Tychicus?
- What is the reason for his visit?
- How does Paul conclude?
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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