Children and Parents

Children, obey(A) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.[a][b](B) Fathers, don’t stir up anger(C) in your children, but bring them up in the training(D) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your human[c] masters(E) with fear and trembling,(F) in the sincerity(G) of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will(H) from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,(I) knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening(J) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(K) with him.(L)

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.(M) 11 Put on(N) the full armor(O) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh(P) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,(R) spiritual forces in the heavens.(S) 13 For this reason take up the full armor(T) of God, so that you may be able to resist(U) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand,(V) therefore, with truth(W) like a belt around your waist, righteousness(X) like armor on your chest,(Y) 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield(Z) of faith(AA) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(AB) 17 Take the helmet(AC) of salvation and the sword(AD) of the Spirit(AE)—which is the word of God. 18 Pray(AF) at all times in the Spirit(AG) with every prayer and request, and stay alert(AH) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness(AI) the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21 Tychicus,(AK) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant[d] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage(AL) your hearts.(AM)

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father(AN) and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.[e][f]

Footnotes

  1. 6:3 Or life on the earth
  2. 6:2–3 Ex 20:12
  3. 6:5 Lit according to the flesh
  4. 6:21 Or deacon
  5. 6:24 Other mss add Amen.
  6. 6:24 Lit all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption

Family Relationships

(A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (B)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

(C)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (D)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

(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; (H)not [b]by way of eyeservice, as (I)men-pleasers, but as (J)slaves of Christ, (K)doing the will of God from the [c]heart. With good will [d]render service, (L)as to the Lord, and not to men, (M)knowing that (N)whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (O)whether slave or free.

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 [e](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 in (AF)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, (AG)having girded your loins with truth, and having (AH)put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having (AI)shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [f]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 [g]With all (AP)prayer and petition [h](AQ)pray at all times (AR)in the Spirit, and with this in view, [i](AS)be on the alert with all (AT)perseverance and (AU)petition for all the saints, 19 and (AV)pray on my behalf, that utterance 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 [j]chains; that [k]in proclaiming it I may speak (BB)boldly, (BC)as I ought to speak.

21 (BD)But that you also may know about my circumstances, [l]how I am doing, (BE)Tychicus, (BF)the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 [m](BG)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [n]about us, and that he may (BH)comfort your hearts.

23 (BI)Peace be to the brethren, 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 [o]with incorruptible love.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 I.e. earthly masters, with fear
  2. Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
  3. Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
  4. Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
  5. Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
  6. Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
  7. Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
  8. Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
  9. Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
  10. Ephesians 6:20 Lit a chain
  11. Ephesians 6:20 Two early mss read I may speak it boldly
  12. Ephesians 6:21 Lit what
  13. Ephesians 6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to you
  14. Ephesians 6:22 Lit the things about us
  15. Ephesians 6:24 Lit in incorruption

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(A) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a](B)

Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children;(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(D)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(F) just as you would obey Christ.(G) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(H) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(I) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(J) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(K) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(L) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(M) and in his mighty power.(N) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(O) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(P) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the powers(R) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(S) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(T) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(U) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(V) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(W) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(X) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(Y) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(Z) and the sword of the Spirit,(AA) which is the word of God.(AB)

18 And pray in the Spirit(AC) on all occasions(AD) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(AE) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(AF) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(AG) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(AH) make known the mystery(AI) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains.(AK) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(AL) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(AM) and that he may encourage you.(AN)

23 Peace(AO) to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[d]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  2. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  3. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  4. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Children and Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”[a]

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Servants and Masters

Servants, obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.

And masters, do the same things for them, no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Battle Against Evil

10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, 16 and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray for me, that the power to speak may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21 Now that you also may know my activities and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you might know our activities and that he might 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 in sincerity. Amen.