Ephesians 6
English Standard Version
Children and Parents
6 (A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (B)“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, (C)but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (D)Bondservants,[a] obey your earthly masters[b] with fear and trembling, (E)with a sincere heart, (F)as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as (G)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 (H)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (I)whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, (J)and stop your threatening, knowing that (K)he who is both their Master[c] and yours is in heaven, and that (L)there is no partiality with him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, (M)be strong in the Lord and in (N)the strength of his might. 11 (O)Put on (P)the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against (Q)the schemes of the devil. 12 For (R)we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (S)the rulers, against the authorities, against (T)the cosmic powers over (U)this present darkness, against (V)the spiritual forces of evil (W)in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore (X)take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in (Y)the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, (Z)having fastened on the belt of truth, and (AA)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, (AB)as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up (AC)the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all (AD)the flaming darts of (AE)the evil one; 17 and take (AF)the helmet of salvation, and (AG)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying (AH)at all times (AI)in the Spirit, (AJ)with all prayer and supplication. To that end, (AK)keep alert with all perseverance, making (AL)supplication for all the saints, 19 and (AM)also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth (AN)boldly to proclaim (AO)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I (AP)am an ambassador (AQ)in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
21 (AR)So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, (AS)Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may (AT)encourage your hearts.
23 (AU)Peace be to the brothers,[d] and (AV)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who (AW)love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8
- Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the flesh
- Ephesians 6:9 Greek Lord
- Ephesians 6:23 Or brothers and sisters
Ephesians 6
The Message
6 1-3 Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.”
4 Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
5-8 Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.
9 Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
A Fight to the Finish
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
19-20 And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.
21-22 Tychicus, my good friend here, will tell you what I’m doing and how things are going with me. He is certainly a dependable servant of the Master! I’ve sent him not only to tell you about us but to cheer you on in your faith.
23-24 Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6
New Living Translation
Children and Parents
6 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b]
4 Fathers,[c] do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[e] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[f] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[g]
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[h] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Final Greetings
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters,[i] and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Footnotes
- 6:1 Or Children, obey your parents who belong to the Lord; some manuscripts read simply Children, obey your parents.
- 6:2-3 Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16.
- 6:4 Or Parents.
- 6:12 Some manuscripts read you.
- 6:15 Or For shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.
- 6:16 Greek the evil one.
- 6:18 Greek all of God’s holy people.
- 6:19 Greek explain the mystery of the Good News; some manuscripts read simply explain the mystery.
- 6:23 Greek brothers.
Ephesians 6
New American Standard Bible
Children and Parents
6 (A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (B)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.
4 (C)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (D)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
5 (E)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [a]masters according to the flesh, with (F)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (G)as to Christ; 6 (H)not [b]by way of [c]eye-service, as (I)people-pleasers, but as (J)slaves of Christ, (K)doing the will of God from the [d]heart. 7 With goodwill [e]render service, (L)as to the Lord, and not to people, 8 (M)knowing that (N)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (O)whether slave or free.
9 And masters, do the same things to them, and (P)give up threatening, knowing that (Q)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is (R)no partiality with Him.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, (S)be strong in the Lord and in (T)the strength of His might. 11 (U)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the (V)schemes of the devil. 12 For our (W)struggle is not against [f](X)flesh and blood, but (Y)against the rulers, against the powers, against the (Z)world forces of this (AA)darkness, against the (AB)spiritual forces of wickedness in (AC)the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up (AD)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to (AE)resist on (AF)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, (AG)having belted your waist with truth, and having (AH)put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having (AI)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [g]in addition to all, taking up the (AJ)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the (AK)flaming arrows of (AL)the evil one. 17 And take (AM)the helmet of salvation and the (AN)sword of the Spirit, which is (AO)the word of God.
18 [h]With every (AP)prayer and request, [i](AQ)pray at all times (AR)in the Spirit, and with this in view, [j](AS)be alert with all (AT)perseverance and every (AU)request for all the [k]saints, 19 and (AV)pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me (AW)in the opening of my mouth, to make known with (AX)boldness (AY)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an (AZ)ambassador (BA)in [l]chains; that [m]in proclaiming it I may speak (BB)boldly, (BC)as I ought to speak.
21 (BD)Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to [n]what I am doing, (BE)Tychicus, (BF)the beloved brother and faithful [o]servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 [p](BG)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [q]about us, and that he may (BH)comfort your hearts.
23 (BI)Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and (BJ)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ [r]with incorruptible love.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
- Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
- Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
- Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
- Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
- Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
- Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
- Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
- Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
- Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
- Ephesians 6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 6:20 Lit a chain
- Ephesians 6:20 Two early mss I may speak it boldly
- Ephesians 6:21 Or how
- Ephesians 6:21 Or minister
- Ephesians 6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to you
- Ephesians 6:22 Lit the things about us
- Ephesians 6:24 Lit in incorruption
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
