The Bible — World English Bible

Ephesians 6

In brief

Ephesians 6 applies the Gospel to everyday life, then opens onto spiritual combat. Paul speaks first to children and parents, then to servants and masters, reminding all that they serve one Lord. He then calls you to be strong in the Lord and to put on all God's armor: truth, righteousness, readiness of the Gospel, faith, salvation, God's word, with prayer. The battle is not against people but against spiritual powers. The chapter ends with Paul's request for prayer, a prisoner.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-4Children and parents: honor and teach in the Lord
  2. v. 5-9Servants and masters: serve as for the Lord
  3. v. 10-13Be strong in the Lord and stand firm
  4. v. 14-20The pieces of God's armor and prayer
  5. v. 21-24Paul's news and greetings

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 be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”

4You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,

6not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

7with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men,

8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

9You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

16above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

19on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things.

22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.

23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

Key verses

Verse 4
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Paul speaks also to fathers: do not exasperate your children, but bring them up in training and instruction of the Lord. Parental authority is framed by patience and teaching.

Verse 10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The believer's strength does not come from himself but from the Lord. Putting on all God's armor is the condition for standing firm against the devil's schemes.

Verse 12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The true battle is not against flesh and blood. This verse invites you not to see your adversaries in people, but to recognize a spiritual dimension.

Verse 16
above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

The shield of faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one. In the armor, it is presented as something to take hold of in addition to all the other pieces.

Verse 17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word: protection for the head and a weapon to advance.

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What the sermons say

The Armor of God: Standing Firm When the Evil Day ComesBen, from Paris CVV church, reminds that spiritual combat stems from victory. The preacher explains that the armor of God is not fearful but confident, rooted in Christ's triumph.Read the summary →The Belt of Truth: Standing Firm in a Shaking WorldThe preacher focuses on the belt of truth: a discrete piece that holds everything together. Truth is the foundation on which all other protection stands.Read the summary →Take Up the Shield of Faith Every DayThierry explains Paul's choice of a large shield that covers the whole body. Faith is not just intellectual belief; it is a shield you actively take hold of to extinguish the arrows of doubt and fear.Read the summary →The Helmet of Salvation: Guarding Your Mind and Your IdentityAdrien shows that the helmet of salvation protects your thoughts from false reasoning. Your identity is secured not by your performance but by your salvation in Christ.Read the summary →The Sword of the Spirit: Draw the Word of GodBen presents the sword of the Spirit, the only offensive weapon of the armor: God's word. To use this weapon is to know Scripture and to apply it in temptation and battle.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Ephesians 6

What does the armor of God represent?

Each piece represents a spiritual reality: truth (knowing God's word), righteousness (living rightly), the Gospel (the message of peace), faith (trust in God), salvation (assurance in Christ), and God's word (the sword, your offensive weapon). Together they protect you in spiritual battle.

Why does Paul say the struggle is not against flesh and blood?

Because conflicts that seem to be between people actually have spiritual causes. Hatred, lies, addiction, pride, despair, all originate in the spiritual realm. Recognizing this helps you fight the right battle and not stop at human conflict.

What is the sword of the Spirit?

It is God's word. In the armor passage, it is the only offensive weapon. You are called to know God's word, to use it against lies and temptation, just as Jesus did when tempted in the desert.

Why is prayer stressed at the end?

Prayer keeps you connected to God's power. Without prayer, you might wear the armor without accessing its strength. Prayer is how you call on God to fight with you and for you. It is the practice that transforms belief into action.

Articles quoting Ephesians 6

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World English Bible translation — public domain.