Eph. 6:8. Knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Since probably many of the masters — being pagans and unbelievers — did no good toward the slaves who served them well, he says: if you do not receive a reward from your master according to the flesh, you will receive it from the Lord of all. And here he showed that he speaks with them as with mature people, and not as with children. For to children he pointed to earthly longevity, but to these he pointed to the future.
Eph. 6:9. And you, masters, do the same things unto them,
"In the same way." How? Serve willingly and not as people-pleasers, but with fear and trembling, that is, in relation to God. For although he did not express this directly in words, he desires it. For the master also serves the slave, caring for him and providing him with everything necessary and generally supporting him and condescending to him, and, as Solomon says, sharing labor with him. But listen to what is said next:
Eph. 6:9. tempering the strictness,
He did not say: leaving aside the whip, but even "severity," and all the more so punishment, that is, do not be harsh even in threats.
Eph. 6:9. knowing that both over you yourselves and over them¹⁴ there is a Lord in the heavens,
See how He frightens. For the Lord says: "with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you" (Matt. 7:2). Lest you also hear: "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me; should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant?" (Matt. 18:32–33).
Eph. 6:9. "with Whom there is no respect of persons."
Do not think, he says, that if you are cruel to your slave, you will not give an answer before God on account of the insignificance of that person (the slave). For this is characteristic of external laws, which recognize the distinction between nobility and slavery, because those laws are from men. But here it is not so, because you yourself are also a slave of the same Lord, even if you are cruel toward your slave: for in the beginning God did not create slavery, but it was produced by greed (as in the case of captives) and the dishonoring of parents, as happened with Canaan. But even though it did not originate from God, nevertheless God sanctioned subordination for the sake of good order, and so that life would not be burdened with blood.
Eph. 6:10. Finally, my brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of His power.
The household of each person is like an army: therefore, having already put all forces in order, he leads them out to war. For if each individual does not violate his own order, then military affairs will also be in good condition. And since he has already put in order much that seemed disordered, do not be afraid, he says, but be bold in the strength of the Lord. For He does not simply have strength, but "the power of strength," that is, He has strength ineffable and all-surpassing.
Eph. 6:11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,
What the full armor consists of, he will show a little later. But notice why he did not say: battles or wars, but – "schemes." "Schemes" means seduction and entrapment through cunning. For the enemy does not openly propose sin; for example, he does not openly incline one to idolatry, but disposes one to it by another means, through craftiness, that is, by plausible speech and the use of cunning. Paul, by indicating that the adversary is terrible and resourceful, encourages them and urges them to caution.
Eph. 6:12. because our struggle is not against blood and flesh,
And He says this not to arouse fear, but to make them attentive. For the one who points out the strength of the enemy thereby makes his own people more cautious. Our struggle, he says, is not with an ordinary enemy, and not with people similar and equal in strength to us.
Eph. 6:12. but against principalities, against powers,
As God has beginnings and authorities, so also the arrogant tyrant established similar orders for himself.
Eph. 6:12. against the world-rulers
Rulers of the world or creation is not meant here. For Scripture usually calls "the world" wicked deeds and those who commit them, as in the expression: "you are not of the world" (John 15:19), that is, not of the number of those who do evil. These are ruled by demons, because they voluntarily gave themselves over to slavery to them.
Eph. 6:12. darkness of this age,
Darkness he calls wickedness, which exists and is present in this age, but does not extend beyond it.
Eph. 6:12. against the spirits of wickedness
So he calls the demons. And since angels are also spirits, he added "of wickedness"; because those are spirits of goodness and light. And by saying that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, he makes known through contrast that we wrestle against those who are agile, invincible in cunning, and difficult to catch.
Eph. 6:12. heavenly places (ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις).