Ephesians 6 - Introduction

The duty of children towards their parents, and of servants towards their masters. Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual enemies. The complete armour of a Christian, and how it ought to be used: Tychicus is commended.

Anno Domini 62.

THE Apostle, having explained the duties of wives and husbands, proceeds to the duties of children and parents, Ephesians 6:1.—then to those of servants and masters, Ephesians 6:5.—and with there he finishes his account of relative duties.

Having delivered these precepts, the Apostle added a general exhortation to the Ephesians, to be strong in the performance of all their duties; which he enforced by the discovery of another deep article of the mystery of God; namely, that evil angels are leagued together against men, and continually occupied in tempting them to sin, with a view to ruin them, Ephesians 6:10.—But that the Ephesians might not be too much terrified with this discovery, the Apostle shewed them what an excellent defence against the attacks of the devil God had furnished them with, in the complete armour which he had provided for them, Ephesians 6:13.—called therefore the complete armour of God.

Next, the Apostle begged the Ephesians to pray for him, that he might be enabled to speak plainly and boldly in support of the gospel, when brought before the emperor and his ministers; which, it seems, he expected would happen soon, Ephesians 6:19.—But to free them from their anxiety on account of the danger he was exposed to, he told them, that he had sent Tychicus to give them information concerning his affairs, Ephesians 6:21.—Then, as a token of his love, he gave to them, and to all the brethren of Asia, who were sincere in their attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ, his apostolical benediction, Ephesians 6:23.