EphEf EphesiansEfesini, chaptercapitolo Epistle to the EphesiansLettera agli Efesini, chaptercapitolo 6

Children and Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Deu 5:16; Pro 23:22; Mat 15:4; Mrk 7:10; Col 3:20Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.Exo 20:12

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.Pro 13:24

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your (a)6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culturemasters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 1Pe 2:18; Col 3:22; Tit 2:9not (b)6:6 Lit according toby way of (c)6:6 I.e., only when the master is watchingeye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the (d)6:6 Lit soulheart. With goodwill (e)6:7 Lit renderingrender service, as to the Lord, and not to people, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.2Co 5:10

And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.Deu 10:17; 2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19; Gal 2:6

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Rom 13:12; 1Th 5:8For our struggle is not against (f)6:12 Lit blood and fleshflesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Jhn 12:31; Jhn 14:30; Eph 2:2Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Luk 12:35; 1Pe 1:13and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; (g)6:16 Lit in allin addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Isa 59:17; 1Th 5:8; Heb 4:12

(h)6:18 Lit ThroughWith every prayer and request, (i)6:18 Lit prayingpray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, (j)6:18 Lit beingbe alert with all perseverance and every request for all the (k)6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s peoplesaints, Luk 18:1; Col 4:2and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 2Th 3:1for which I am an ambassador in (l)6:20 Lit a chainchains; that (m)6:20 Two early mss I may speak it boldlyin proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.Act 21:11

Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to (n)6:21 Or howwhat I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful (o)6:21 Or ministerservant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. Act 20:4; Col 4:7(p)6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to youI have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know (q)6:22 Lit the things about usabout us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ (r)6:24 Lit in incorruptionwith incorruptible love.