Eph 6 Bible Study

Paul liken the church to a soldier

I. Verse 1-4; God is teaching us here that children are to obey their parents as unto the Lord.

A. Paul adds that it is one of the ten commandments.(Exodus 20:12)

1. Which is with promise. (That your days will be long.)

B. We are not to provoke or exasperate our children to wrath.

1. In verse 4 the word father means = mother and fathers.

2. A Roman father dominates his children. He can punish them, treat them as slaves, sell them or even have them killed. His power over his children is total, and lasts as long as he lives.[1]

3. Paul teaches parents a different approach. They are not to use their power to oppress or to discourage their children. They are to show their children the love of God and give them the training of Jesus.[2]

4. God teaches us here that a Christian family is to be mark with love and respect. (Does this sound familiar?)

It is estimated that there were 60 million slaves in the Roman empire. Some say the number is impossible to guess. Slaves were the vast majority of the workforce and an indispensable part of the culture. Certainly, slavery was far too extensive a cancer to be removed without the whole society collapsing.Paul teaches Christian slaves and masters to let Christ transform their relationship. Slaves and masters may be bound together in an unjust system, but at least they can respect one another. Masters can stop being cruel and unreasonable. Slaves can work willingly and honestly. They can all serve Christ.

[3]

… and today?Paul outlines the responsibilities that slaves and masters have to each other because they are Christians. The slave is to serve his master as he would serve Christ — that is, willingly, with all his heart. The master is to treat his slaves as fellow human beings and fellow servants of Christ.Although slavery was eventually abolished, these attitudes can transform our work relationships today. Employees can see their work as something they do to honour Jesus Christ. Employers can honour Christ in the way they affirm and reward their workforce.

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II. Verse 5-9 Slave and Masters

A. Many of Paul’s listener and readers where slaves.

1. Their bodies were owned by other people.

B. God does not tell the slaves to revolt.

1. God tell the slaves to respect and obey.

C. God tell the master to have mercy on the slaves, to take care of them as unto the Lord.

D. God tell the slaves to work for their master as unto the Lord.

1. We do not work to please our bosses, or owners, put to please God.

a) In verse 8, whatever good we do each day, God is the one who will reward us.

2. I don’t know if you have noticed, this is just like what we have learned in chapter 5 about marriage.

III. Verse 10-20 Paul ends this letter with a call to battle.

A. The devil is fighting God everyday.

1. Satan fought Christ here on earth.

2. Christ cast out spirits form people while on earth.

B. In verse 10 God tells us to be constantly strengthening our selves.

1. The word here means to “make strong” as to exercise.

2. “To put on a garment” as if the garment is strength to us.

3. To draw our strength from Christ. Remember Phil 4:13, I can do all things through Christ.

C. What are the puny Christians to do?

1. Put on the whole armor of God. (Verse 13)

a) Not part of it, but all of it. Everything that is available to us from Christ.

(1) So what God is saying here is, don’t just do one thing like pray, but pray and study and learn and take in everything that is available to us.

(2) Taking only part of the armor will kill us. All of it will protect us from every attack.

2. The equipment (6:14–17)

a) One thing to think about is all the armor which the roman solders had, was not designed for retreat.

(1) It had opening in the back, it was not covering the whole body.

3. The belt of truth (6:14a) Holds the Christian together.

4. The body armor (breastplate) of God’s righteousness. Victory over sin.

5. The sandals of the Good News (6:15) We have the Gospel and need to go everywhere leading people know about it.

6. The shield of faith (6:16) The shield was not a small one, but a full size one for full protection. It covered the whole body.

a) Paul talks about darts in verse 16.

7. The helmet of salvation (6:17a). We have eternal life. We are protect from dying and going to hell.

8. The sword of the Spirit (6:17b): The Word of God

a) We have the living and active Word of God.

b) Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

c) Let the Bible defend itself. Use it to proof you point when talking to someone.

9. Verse 18 Praying always

a) “Pray in every way on all occasions, and at all times. Christians are to be fully alert to the state of the battle, in constant communication with their commanding Lord and actively supporting their fellow soldiers.”

IV. Final Greetings verses 21-24

Biker Bible Study at Reads house 11/29/05

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[1]Knowles, A. 2001. The Bible guide. Includes index. (1st Augsburg books ed.) . Augsburg: Minneapolis, MN

[2]Knowles, A. 2001. The Bible guide. Includes index. (1st Augsburg books ed.) . Augsburg: Minneapolis, MN

[3]Knowles, A. 2001. The Bible guide. Includes index. (1st Augsburg books ed.) . Augsburg: Minneapolis, MN