Ephesians · Chapter 6
Ephesians 6
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Children and Parents
(Colossians 3:18–21)
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”*
4Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Serving with Honor
(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
6And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
7Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,
8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
The Full Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Source notes
- 6:3 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16 Read Exodus 20:12 Read Deuteronomy 5:16
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Exodus 20:12Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5:16Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Genesis 28:7and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.
Genesis 37:13Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied.
Leviticus 19:3Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 21:18If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,
1 Samuel 17:20So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry.
Esther 2:20Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.
Proverbs 1:8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
Proverbs 6:20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 23:22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 30:11There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
Proverbs 30:17As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
Jeremiah 35:14The words of Jonadab son of Rechab have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk it to this very day because they have obeyed the command of their forefather. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not obeyed Me!