Ephesians 6
Chapter 6
The final chapter in Ephesians sums up the the point of this letter and our faith as a whole. The purpose of life in Christ is Unity. Grace means we didn’t earn anything we have but we are each given different levels of grace, gifting, calling, and authority. Therefore, the leader is the follower and vice versa. This chapter shows that we must submit to one another in love in order to fulfill the purpose of God’s plan for our life as Christians. Submission is the crossroads of humility, respect, and love.
(Verses 1-4) This is one of several times that the bible repeats the instructions to honor mother and father. Honor is different from obedience. Obedience is doing as one is told. To honor is love and respect. Children should not obey their parents at the expense of disobeying God and as adults children aren’t necessarily required to obey forever but they are required to honor forever. Jesus obeyed his parents so we follow his example however, if obedience is the action and honor is the attitude.
(Verses 5-9) In the Roman society that Paul was speaking to slaves played a huge role in society. His statement neither condones or condemns slavery but it speaks to the reality of the society at the time. The Roman empire had millions of slaves at the time so Paul had to speak directly to their situation. Christianity gave the oppressed could find the freedom and equality in Christ that society denied them. If everyone puts everyone else first, then we all win. We should recognize authority but but realize that we all stand equal before God. We’re all equal in the eyes of Christ. Jesus doesn’t always change the injustice of our situation but he does teach us how to live right in a world gone wrong. Job, school, and work may feel like they don’t matter but they do because character matters. Your examples in Christ matters because you were called to serve the world and not just the church.
(Verses 10-20) Put on the whole armor of God. Take your stand and stand firm in the faith. Spiritual battles are real. The devil uses people but it is not the people that we have to deal with, it’s the spirits that are behind them. The Truth is the the belt that holds our faith up. Righteousness is the breastplate because knowing that you’ve been made right with God protects your heart from shame and guilt. Faith is a shield that we can hold up against the attacks of the enemy so when it seems like we can’t see what God is doing. Salvation is the helmet you wear to protect your mind from the thoughts from the devil that threaten to tell you that you’re not good enough for what God as called you to and saved you for. The word of God is a sword used to fight the lies of the enemy with the power of God’s truth. Prayer is a secret weapon we have to communicate with God and seek his will in on the earth.
(Verses 21-23) Paul ends his letter by praying for the church once again and encouraging them to dwell in grace.