Closing in Prayer
October 17, 2023 at 1:30 pm | Posted in Biblical prayer, Ephesians | 1 CommentTags: Biblical prayer, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, God's grace, prayer, sovereignty of God, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
A general definition for prayer is that it is simply speaking to God. Supplication is asking God to supply what is missing: “wants” or needs. “All prayer” would include intercessions (praying for others), praise, thanksgiving, and confession and request for repentance.
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:19
Paul knew he needed prayer. We should should pray that God would help us to evangelize boldly and to speak correctly.
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:20
The last few verses in the Book of Ephesians are the closing of the letter, but they are also intended as encouragement. Encouragement is very important in the Christian life. Just as the sovereign God chooses to work through armor and prayer, He also provides the assignments He commands us to do, and He knows the things we need.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:23 (emphasis added)
Peace is God’s gift. Love is God’s gift. Faith is God’s gift. They are “FROM” God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They are provided by God’s grace. No one can love God with sincerity apart from God’s enabling grace.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Ephesians 6:24
This comes back to the idea that the power to live a Spirit-filled life must come from the Lord.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Ephesians 6:10
Shield, Helmet, Sword
October 13, 2023 at 10:03 am | Posted in Ephesians | 2 CommentsTags: armor of God, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, helmet of salvation, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 21, Isaiah 59, shield of faith, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians, Sword of the Spirit
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16
“Above all” is a little tricky to understand, because, at first glance, it sounds like a value judgment indicating that the shield of faith is the most important part of the armor of God. However, “above all” can be read in the sense of emphasis without it necessarily meaning a comparative emphasis, similar to how we use the phrase, “and WHATEVER you do…” For example, if my daughter is going to spend the night with her grandparents, I might remind her to take her sleeping bag, clean socks, pajamas, and, “whatever you do, don’t forget your toothbrush.” There is an emphasis on taking the toothbrush, but I don’t necessarily mean that the toothbrush is more important than the pajamas. HOWEVER, “above all” in Ephesians 6:16 is a literal translation, so it is fair to say that, if there is one piece of the armor we need to be especially mindful of when Satan attacks in the “evil day,” it is the shield of faith, because the shield is the armor that protects against the fiery darts – Satanic attacks that come from a distance – so we are trying to prevent him from even getting into close contact, and from establishing a foothold or an “occasion,” and from starting a fire which would subsequently require our attention and energy to extinguish.
While many theologians disagree on whether faith is a gift, or whether it is something we generate, it is clear that it is something we need to be consistently holding up in the face of spiritual attacks. No matter how long we’ve been saved, our faith should be growing stronger and stronger, not stagnating or deteriorating. Of course, the strength of faith will always be contingent on the object of faith. Faith in Christ will extinguish flaming arrows. Faith in ourselves will not.
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
Isaiah 21:5
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17
A helmet protects the head, which is where the brain is – where our mental life is conducted. The main battleground of spiritual warfare is the mind. Every believer has a helmet of salvation; otherwise, he or she wouldn’t be a believer. But the exhortation is to TAKE it, to pick it up and put it on, to wear it, to remember what it means to be saved, so that the devil can’t trick you into thinking that you are not, or into thinking that Christ only attempted – but failed – to save you, or into thinking that God can’t keep His Word.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Isaiah 59:17
The Sword of the Spirit is often characterized as the one offensive weapon in the armor of God. If the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use the example of a Roman soldier’s armor and weaponry, then he probably had in mind the gladius (from which we get the word “gladiator”): a double-edged sword with a blade about two inches wide. and two feet long (a “short sword”), intended for slashing and thrusting, especially in upward thrusts, after a centurion had already thrown his javelin.
And we are not left to metaphorically determine the meaning of the sword because we are told that it is the Sword OF the Spirit (the Holy Spirit), which means that it is the Word of God: the Bible. We see it used very vividly in the temptation of the Last Adam in the wilderness, where Christ used it (despite its offensive nature) to ward off the attacks of Satan. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense.
Of course, this weapon requires familiarity and training to use it effectively. One of the many things I like about Sunday School is that it can be used as a training ground. The sermon in the preaching service is a good time for self-examination, but the Bible study time in a smaller group works well for preparation in skillfully using the Word and learning it as fully as we can.
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4
The Bible drives away the devil, but it also protects our mouths from speaking sinfully.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
The Household Code: Masters and Servants
August 25, 2023 at 12:13 pm | Posted in Ephesians | 3 CommentsTags: Biblical principles for employees, Biblical principles for employers, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, household code, slavery in the Bible, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
Following the same pattern used in the sections on husbands and wives, and on parents and children, the subservient party is addressed first:
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Ephesians 6:5
Submission in the form of obedience is commanded. The command is simple, similar to the command to children: obey your earthly (“according to the flesh”) masters. Note that the slaves/servants, like the children addressed in Verse 1, were in the church service with the free adults.
However, the addition of “with fear and trembling” is a different level – a more fearful level – of submission than the reverence given by wives to husbands. Both words for fear are translations of phobos, but the trembling is added for servants, not for wives. The Apostle Paul recognized the reality that slaves who refused to obey were in real danger, even outside of the Church, but the motivation is the same for all three submissive groups: wives, children, slaves. When you are in subjection to human authority, remember that you are actually serving Christ, not just the human authority appointed over you by Him, and don’t spoil the benefit of your sanctification or lose your reward by faking it.
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Ephesians 6:6
When you serve the authority God has placed over you, do it for the Lord, and doing it LIKE you are doing it for the Lord.
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Ephesians 6:7
The Lord is the one keeping score. Wives, children, and slaves who rebelled against authority weren’t helping the ones placed in authority over them, obviously, but they were actually hurting themselves, too.
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Ephesians 6:8
Masters are addressed second in this section of the household code.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Ephesians 6:9
Masters were commanded not to abuse their authority, not to resort to bullying. Masters must remember they themselves had a greater Master. This is true of anyone who would exercise authority.
In America our initial reaction to the idea of slavery is almost always the concept of what went on before the Civil War. This is what is known as chattel slavery: the kidnapping of human beings and forcing them into bondage and labor, treating them strictly as property. People sometimes will find a verse in the Bible, such as Ephesians 6:5 or Old Testament verses that regulate the indentured servitude/slavery which was common in Bible times, and will accuse Christians or the Bible or even God of condoning chattel slavery. However, kidnapping and slavery based on skin-color, or slavery that denies human beings their God-given humanity, are clearly condemned by I Timothy 1:10 and other verses.
When we see slavery addressed in the New Testament we need to keep in mind some fundamental differences between pre-Civil War American slavery (and even worse types of chattel slavery) and slavery as it was practiced in the Roman Empire. First, slavery in Rome had nothing to do with skin color. It was sometimes the only way for a person in serious debt to survive. Many slaves were cooks, jewelers, accountants, teachers, and doctors. Second, it is not condoned in Scripture, but it is recognized as a reality in a sinful world. Third, none of us were born free; we were all slaves to sin, and true freedom is found only in Christ. Fourth, Christianity was never a political movement or a social revolution. Salvation changes people’s hearts, and this transformation transforms society, as evidenced by the fact that Christians were the first ones in the history of the world to come up with the idea of abolishing slavery. Fifth, if you think the pre-war South was barbaric and benighted in its attitudes about black people, you might be shocked to visit an inner city Planned Parenthood clinic or abortuary. Sin is the real problem, and bigotry and prejudice and even slavery are only symptoms of the greater disease.
However, lest this start to sound like a denial that there are some angular texts in the Bible concerning slavery, let’s look at a couple from the Old Testament.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. 5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Exodus 21:2-6
39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: 40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile. 41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
Leviticus 25:39-41
12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. 13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: 14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
Deuteronomy 15:12-14
The Household Code: Parents and Children
July 31, 2023 at 2:03 pm | Posted in Ephesians | 5 CommentsTags: Biblical Parenting, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, Exodus 20, Exodus 21, Leviticus 20, parenting, Proverbs 30, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
The second part of the household code, which began in Ephesians 5:21 or 5:22, deals with parents and children. In keeping with the pattern, the subservient members of the household (children) are addressed first. This in itself is unusual, because in other ancient household codes the de facto ownership and subjugation of children was simply assumed. Fathers had the ultimate right over every aspect of their young children’s lives. Fathers could beat, degrade, mock, punish, or even, in some instances, kill their own children with legal impunity. This Biblical household code is much different.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1
The ultimate source and motivation of obedience for children is that it is objectively the right thing to do in the sight of God, and, therefore, the best thing for them, too. “In the Lord” does not mean that children must obey their parents only if their parents are Christians. It means that all children, in order to please the Lord, must obey their parents.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
Ephesians 6:2
The motivation is the promise of a long and good life.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12
This is more a proverbial promise than an absolute promise. Even obedient children may die at a young age, but the general rule is that obedient living, through being trained at a young age, will be conducive to safer choices later in life. The command for children to be obedient rules out majority parenting, monetary parenting, and manipulative parenting. Childhood (via Godly parenthood) is the training ground for how children will relate to God and all His authority structures as they grow up.
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:3
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 21:17
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Leviticus 20:9
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
Proverbs 30:17
The Armor of God
June 1, 2023 at 3:05 pm | Posted in Ephesians | 5 CommentsTags: armor of God, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 59, Satan, satanic strategy, spiritual warfare, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
The armor that Christians must put on to withstand the schemes of Satan is God’s armor. He has fashioned it for us. Unlike the spiritual gifts – where not any one person possesses them all – the pieces of armor are defensive weapons given to every Christian by God, but we are responsible for “taking” each piece and wearing and employing it in spiritual warfare.
Our enemy is not a clown or a mythical ogre. He is evil and powerful and – worst of all – subtle: sneaky, devious, treacherous. Fighting fair is not in his repertoire. He typically assaults believers through temptation, fear and intimidation, and appeals to pride. He also has demonic agents who occupy positions of authority in the unseen spiritual world.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
We are reminded here at the outset that our real enemies are not the human beings manipulated by Satan. We were once like them – and apart from God we would still be like them.
It is also important to remember the exhortation to “stand.” The command is not to march and not to assault. Don’t seek out the enemy. Serve God; the enemy will find you quick enough, and seek to knock you off course. We must never let our guard down, but we are also told that some days (“the evil day”) the battle is more intense than other days.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13
Take the WHOLE armor, not just a couple of pieces of it.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Ephesians 6:14
This is a belt or an apron of truth. In physical battle it would, to an extent, protect the legs – the foundation for standing – but it also holds the other armor together. It connects to the breastplate, and the sword is attached to it. As Christians we must deal in truth. The truth of the Word of God may be the only truth you hear all day. We don’t combat Satan’s lies with more-logical-sounding lies. We withstand them by having ourselves saturated and marinated in TRUTH.
The devil will tell you: “God doesn’t love you;” “Prayer isn’t working;” “Church and ministry aren’t really important.” Having all your defenses tightly bound with truth stops these lies from knocking you over.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isaiah 11:5
Jesus is the offensive warrior in this warfare. When it is time to go on the offensive, He will fight. And though we are engaged in defense, our weapons are modeled on His.
The breastplate is a covering for the vital organs, notably the heart. This is probably not referring to the objective forensic righteousness we receive at salvation. This breastplate is comprised of the righteous works we do in the Spirit’s power. Satan’s tactic is to make it seem like doing good doesn’t pay off, but if we are taking and wearing good and God-glorifying deeds regardless of credit or recognition or reward, then Satan will not be able to plant a root of bitterness in our hearts.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Isaiah 59:17
Wary Watching
February 16, 2017 at 4:32 pm | Posted in Biblical farming, Luke, parables, Uncategorized | 10 CommentsTags: Biblical evangelism, Biblical farming, Ephesians 6, evangelism, farming, Jesus Christ, Luke 12, night watchmen, parable of the wise steward, watchfulness
Usually when we see the word “watching” in the Bible it refers to something more than just idly looking at something. It typically has the connotation that we think of in connection with a night “watchman,” someone who is actively trying to stay alert, awake, and on guard, keeping a lookout for some sign that could mean either trouble or glad tidings.
Because the Bible sometimes uses the metaphor of farming in connection with Biblical evangelism, we have already noted that good farmers are concerned with planting, watering, and weeding. It would be nearly unthinkable to imagine a farmer, whose livelihood depended on a successful harvest, planting with care, watering diligently, pulling up weeds with zealous regularity, but failing to keep an eye on his crop, being oblivious to harmful insects, marauders, bad weather on the horizon, or sundry other forms of trouble that might befall his fields of produce. Therefore, we might apply the same principle to evangelism.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke 12:35-40 (emphasis added)
No one likes to get caught loafing. Because the Lord has given us a serious responsibility, and because we know the time to accomplish it is limited, and because we know that the day of accounting could come unexpectedly, we need to be serving Him faithfully, diligently, actively, obediently, and warily.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18 (emphasis added)
We do well to pray, but our custom of praying with our eyes closed must not be a hindrance to our engagement in the reality of spiritual warfare.
Faithful farmers hope that God sends rain, protection, and favorable conditions, but they also know that He expects them to be on guard, prepared to spring into action at the first signs of infestation, unexpected trouble, or the ripeness that means it’s time to harvest.
The Privilege of Protection
January 30, 2017 at 5:56 pm | Posted in Ephesians, The Family of Faith | 6 CommentsTags: 2 Timothy 3, Ephesians 6, family of faith, family of God, household of faith, sound doctrine, spiritual warfare, Titus 1
Last time, I said that membership in the family of faith includes the privilege of participation. It also includes the privilege of protection.
Citizens of an earthly nation sometimes have to fight for their nation. Citizens of God’s nation and family get to fight in a spiritual war for their nation.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
Why is fighting a privilege? Because we know we’re going to win.
Citizens of an earthly nation must protect the principles on which their nation is founded. Citizens of God’s nation and family get to protect sound doctrine.
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 1:9
Why is this a privilege? Because sound doctrine is always profitable (II Timothy 3:16). It is the Word of LIFE.
Next time: the privilege of provision.
Don’t be an Abusive, Angry, Absent, or Addicted Parent
September 22, 2016 at 4:11 pm | Posted in Biblical Don'ts, Ephesians, Uncategorized | 9 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 6, addiction, Biblical Parenting, Christian parenting, Christian parents, Ephesians 6, Exodus 20, idolatry, parenting, Proverbs 23
Don’t be an abusive parent. The goal of parenting is to train up disciples of Christ by trying to utterly convince the children that God has placed into our trust of His absolute supremacy, as we nurture them and teach them His Word. This lofty goal involves corporal discipline, but discipline is not punishment, and it is certainly not abuse. A parent who sinfully – whether physically or mentally – injures a child out of spite or loss of control is attacking God Himself, and this is a dangerous prospect to say the least.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:6
Don’t be an angry parent. As Christian parents, we ourselves are the children of our Heavenly Father. He is angry with the wicked every day, but He is not angry at His own children.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
Our job is to prevent our children from feeling and practicing the sort of sinful wrath that God hates to see in His creatures.
Don’t be an absent parent.
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:26
We have to be present if our children are going to observe our ways. Too many parents spend so much time working that they rarely see their children, leaving them in the care of nurseries, daycare facilities, nannies, babysitters, and school systems. This is not God’s plan for child-rearing. Dads, especially, however, are even prone to being absent-while-present. Tuning in to a ball game on television and ignoring the kids elsewhere in the house (or right there in the room!), going hunting, fishing, golfing, remodeling old cars out in the garage, are all ways in which fathers unwind from the stress of their occupations while forgetting the important principle of being actively present in their children’s lives during crucial formative years.
Don’t be an addicted parent (unless it is an addiction to ministry that includes ministering along with your children!) Addictions to sinful activities – and addictions that are sinful not because of the object of the addiction, but because of the time, energy, money, and affection given to them – are closely akin to idolatry.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
I Corinthians 6:12
Our children will not be utterly convinced of the absolute supremacy of the true God if we worship multiple gods.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12
In a pagan land like America today, the failure of Christian parents to transfer a belief in the One True God will lead to the destruction of society and to the loss of God’s blessings on His people.
The Deep End 
These Shoes Are Made for Standing
October 30, 2023 at 3:27 pm | Posted in Biblical standing, Ephesians | 1 CommentTags: armor of God, Biblical reconciliation, Biblical walking, commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6, Gospel of peace, Isaiah 52, spiritual warfare, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
Ephesians 6:15
We normally think of shoes that are made for walking, but, when it comes to spiritual warfare, we need shoes that are made for standing. Many Romans soldiers had two pairs of sandals: one for marching/traveling (with straps lower down on the ankles) and one for fighting (with straps higher up on the calves). The idea of having our feet shod with the Gospel is not so much the idea of preaching the Gospel (although that is very important); the emphasis instead is on the preparation. Be prepared for Satanic attacks that can weaken your stand by maintaining a state of readiness.
In Ephesians the Gospel is associated with reconciliation: peace between Jews and gentiles, and peace between God and man. Satan doesn’t like reconciliation. He loves to divide and conquer. He causes division. We must be prepared by remembering and having our “feet” – our foundation for standing – grounded in unity. We need to be focused on seeing people reconciled to God, including people that the world says are not like us, and with whom therefore, again, according to the world, we should not get along. In Christ’s atonement He made us one with the Father, so we must not let the devil cause us to doubt our standing with Him or His familial love for us.
Isaiah 52:7