Chapter VI.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right: Honor your father and mother. The law is given to children so that, since they depend on their parents, they should obey them; for it is right to show them reverence, through whom they came into existence.
(Vers. 3.)
(Vers. 3.) The first commandment of the promise is that it may go well with you and that you may live long on the earth. This promise is contained in Exodus (Exod. XX, 12) , that parents may be honored; that they may be well and of advanced age. However, how did he say this first commandment; when it is clear that the first commandment is contained as follows: You shall have no other gods before me. Then: You shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath. Thirdly: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Fourthly: You shall observe my sabbaths, he says. Fifthly: Honor your father and mother, etc. (Exodus XX, 3 et seq.). But because the first four commandments pertain to God, it is understood that they are contained in the first tablet, while the others pertain to humans, such as honoring parents, not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and not coveting anything of one's neighbor. These six commandments are seen written on the second tablet, of which the first is: Honor your father and mother. For this reason, he said: This is the first commandment in importance, so as to distinguish between the commandments that pertain to God, and those that pertain to man.
(Vers. 14.)
(Verse 14.) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. So that the Law may be observed, which is provided, that children may honor their parents: to parents also another Law is given by the Apostle, that they may thus instruct their children, lest they despise the commandments of the Law; for if they are brought up in the fear of the Lord, they will be able to observe what is commanded. For if they provoke their children to anger, they themselves do not keep the measure of the Law; for they seem to compel them, so that they may be found transgressors. For in anger, no one recognizes what is beneficial; therefore, they should learn temperance from the example of their parents, so that they may follow what is beneficial. For parents should remember that they themselves were once children and certainly did not want to be provoked by their own fathers. Children should also understand that they will become parents in the future and would not want to be dishonored by their own children. Therefore, both should show to each other what they seek from each other.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as unto Christ. For our religion is higher than all and is the only powerful one, and it promises the kingdoms of heaven to those who believe. Therefore, in order that pride does not arise among men on account of this, all are commanded to fulfill the duties and obligations of their present condition, so that they may more strongly incite the hearts of the unfaithful to the worship of God, which they see as both just and humble. For when the servants see that their masters have improved and made progress in faithfully rendering their duties, they liberally reward them with all freedom. Likewise, the servants, when they perceive the kindness of their masters, eagerly desire the loyalty with which human affairs are governed by such gentle restraints. For even a person who is in a position, if he has a servant, does not want to be despised by him; therefore, he should not despise his own master. And just as he wants to interact with his master, so he should also interact with his servant, and in this way he will be pleasing to God.
(Vers. 6, 7, 8.)
(Verse 6, 7, 8.) Not serving as eye-pleasers or people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, serving with kindness as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. For the sake of the fear of God, one should strive to show just and faithful services to men; for he serves God, whose rights he preserves in the service of a human master, whom he will repay on the day of judgment for just acts, and he attests this to all others. This thing can also benefit the salvation of the masters; for seeing that it is difficult for slaves who have been made faithful ministers by the grace of God, they were able to praise the glory of God.
(Vers. 9.)
(Verse 9.) And you, masters, do the same to them, giving up threats, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. Not ignorant, surely, are the carnal masters that God, the Lord of all, is common, demanding such services as they themselves would not willingly endure. For with what measure a man measures, it shall be measured to him again (Matthew 7:1); for the Lord is a just judge who discerns the cases, not the persons.
(Vers. 10.)
(Verse 10) Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the power of His might. After all the warnings and exhortations, and the religiously transmitted order of discipline, and the manifestation of the disposition of the mystery, He desires them to be strong in the confidence of God's power, so that knowing the sure hope of the promise, they may be ready for the obedience of God, steering against the waves raised by the enemy's folly. For God stirs up a tempest for His servants, but He Himself causes the shipwreck.
(Vers. 11, 12.)
(Vers. 11, 12.) Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the nations. The armor of God is steadfast faith, through which Satan has always been defeated. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the Principalities and Powers of this world, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The Apostle warns that the destruction inflicted by the treacherous servants of God, instigated by the devil, is great and impossible for humans to overcome; therefore, he advises to take up the armor of God, by the power of which all the devices of the devil are defeated and destroyed. For he is the one whose companions are, whom he calls the rulers of these darknesses, wicked spirits, who live in the heavenly realms, in the firmament of the world. These are leaders of error, rulers of darkness, that is, supervisors of ignorance and treachery. For the rulers of darkness are capable of governing in a perverse way, like masters of disbelief.
(Vers. 13-17.)
(Vers. 13-17.) Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Since we wage war against the most atrocious enemies and are clever in every kind of trickery, we must watch diligently and with great care, so that whatever they attempt, they may find us fortified and prepared. For it is necessary that God assist those whom he sees keeping watch in prayers and awaiting victory from his arms. In this kind of war, a sober mind and a pure conscience are necessary, because we do not fight against carnal wickedness, but against spiritual forces. For against earthly enemies, the body is strengthened by nourishment, and the mind is kindled by drinks, so that it may take on the boldness of resistance. But against spiritual wickedness, one must fight spiritually, and the weapons of sobriety and abstinence must be taken up; so that, infused with the Holy Spirit, we may conquer unclean and wandering spirits. Therefore, let us gird our loins with truth, if we are prepared to resist error. For everyone who wants to work, girds oneself; so that, with hindrances removed, one may work more diligently.
(Vers. 18, 19, 20.)
(Verse 18, 19, 20.) Praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching in it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and for me; that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. If we conduct ourselves rightly, the Holy Spirit remains in us, and we can obtain what we ask for. Therefore, it is necessary to pray at all times in the Spirit, with a clean conscience and sincere faith, directing one's prayer to God. For one who prays with a polluted mind prays in the flesh, preparing to sin again, not by accident or deceit, but intentionally. However, it is possible not to sin unto death if one perseveres in prayer; in this way, the soul, diligently focused, is always meditating on God's Law, day and night, contemplating the things that God loves. Then, it is also possible to pray for the saints; for it is not unworthy for the members to care for one another, and it will not be considered presumptuous if suitable disciples intercede for their master, assisting him so that, having set aside obstacles, he may freely preach, as it has been handed down by the author; lest, weighed down by the force of tribulations, fear itself dull the sharpness of his teaching, having lost its severity. Therefore, he exhorts us to pray in two ways: so that his understanding may be filled with the spirit for speaking the full mystery, and so that boldness in asserting may be given to him, which God certainly willingly hears in prayer; for he sees his own mission despised in his Apostle, wherefore he will certainly not deny the effect in his cause, being indignant. For if it is customary and lawful for human ambassadors not to bring about destructions: with what presumption and boldness not only destructions, but even death are inflicted on God's ambassadors! And he says: For what purpose do I serve as a messenger in chains? For I was not allowed to speak freely, but in subjection and necessity, proclaiming the word of God in chains, blows, and deaths: for he was stoned and fought with wild beasts at Ephesus (1 Corinthians XV, 32).
(Vers. 21, 22.)
(Vers. 21, 22.) But in order that you may also know what is happening with me, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know what is happening with me and he may comfort your hearts. Through Tychicus, the Ephesians learn what the Apostle is doing, and he also learns what the Ephesians are doing. There was no doubt about the Apostle, because what he was doing was divine, but it was necessary to know what he was doing among the unfaithful and their plots. But concerning the Ephesians, it must be known whether they were making progress or not. Therefore, in order for them to obey and gladly listen to the words of Tychicus, he recommends him, calling him a beloved brother and a suitable minister of God.
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. May peace, which is the gateway of love, desire to be with the brothers, and love with faith; so that those who enter through peace may be able to remain in love, which is from faith. For this is from God the Father and from His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility. Amen. Foreseeing, the Apostle, having many who will lose hope in their faith, speaks of the eternal grace that will remain with those who love Christ, rightly speaking about Him and being in accordance with the will of God the Father. For those who speak ill of Him will have the grace taken away from them.