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The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians

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- Chapter 6 -

(Colossians 3:18–21)
1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just.
2
Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise:
3
so that it may be well with you, and so that you may have a long life upon the earth.
4
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but educate them with the discipline and correction of the Lord.

Serving with Honor

(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
5
Servants, be obedient to your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ.
6
Do not serve only when seen, as if to please men, but act as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7
Serve with good will, as to the Lord, and not to men.(a)
8
For you know that whatever good each one will do, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether he is servant or free.
9
And you, lords, act similarly toward them, setting aside threats, knowing that the Lord of both you and them is in heaven. For with him there is no favoritism toward anyone.

The Full Armor of God

10
Concerning the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord, by the power of his virtue.
11
Be clothed in the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the treachery of the devil.
12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places.(b)
13
Because of this, take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things.
14
Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice,
15
and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
16
In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.
17
And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God).
18
Through every kind of prayer and supplication, pray at all times in spirit, and so be vigilant with every kind of earnest supplication, for all the saints,
19
and also for me, so that words may be given to me, as I open my mouth with faith to make known the mystery of the Gospel,
20
in such a manner that I may dare to speak exactly as I ought to speak. For I act as an ambassador in chains for the Gospel.

Final Greetings

(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21
Now, so that you also may know the things that concern me and what I am doing, Tychicus, a most beloved brother and a faithful minister in the Lord, will make known everything to you.
22
I have sent him to you for this very reason, so that you may know the things that concern us, and so that he may console your hearts.
23
Peace to the brothers, and charity with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24
May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ, unto incorruption. Amen.(c)

Footnotes

(a)6:7 The phrase ‘cum bona voluntate’ could also be rendered ‘with cheerfulness,’ or even as ‘willingly.’(Conte)
(b)6:12 High places, or heavenly places:That is to say, in the air, the lowest of the celestial regions; in which God permits these wicked spirits or fallen angels to wander.(Challoner)
(c)6:24 In incorruption:That is, with a pure and perfect love.(Challoner)
(Colossians 3:18–21)
1
Children, 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.” (a)
4
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Serving with Honor

(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
5
Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
6
not 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,
7
with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
8
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9
You 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.

The Full Armor of God

10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13
Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14
Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15
and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,
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.
17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (b) of God;
18
with 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.
19
Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
20
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21
But 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.
22
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.
23
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)6:3 ℘ Deuteronomy 5:16
(b)6:17 from the Greek “ῥῆμα” (rhema), which means “spoken word”
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