Ephesians 6
Wycliffe Bible
6 Sons, obey ye to your father and mother, in the Lord; for this thing is rightful [for this thing is just, or rightful].
2 Honour thou thy father and mother, that is the first commandment in [the] promise;
3 that it be well to thee, and that thou be long living on the earth.
4 And, [ye] fathers, do not ye provoke your sons to wrath; but nourish ye them in the teaching and chastising of the Lord [but nourish them in the discipline and correction, or chastising, of the Lord].
5 Servants, obey ye to fleshly lords with dread and trembling, in simpleness of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not serving at the eye [not serving at eye], as pleasing to men, but as servants of Christ; doing the will of God by discretion,
7 with good will serving as to the Lord, and not as to men [and not to men];
8 witting that each man, whatever good thing he shall do, he shall receive this of the Lord [this he shall receive of the Lord], whether servant, whether free man.
9 And, ye lords, do the same things to them, forgiving menacings [forgiving menaces]; witting that both their Lord and yours is in heavens, and the taking of persons is not with God.
10 Here afterward, brethren, be ye comforted in the Lord, and in the might of his virtue.
11 Clothe you with the armour of God, that ye be able to stand against the ambushings [the ambushings, or assailings,] of the devil.
12 For why striving is not to us against flesh and blood [For striving, or battle, is not to us against flesh and blood], but against [the] princes and potentates, against governors of the world of these darknesses, against spiritual things of wickedness, in heavenly things.
13 Therefore take ye the armour of God, that ye be able to against-stand in the evil day; and in all things stand perfect.
14 Therefore stand ye, and be girded about your loins in soothfastness [Therefore stand ye, girded about your loins in soothfastness], and clothed with the habergeon of rightwiseness,
15 and your feet shod in making ready of the gospel of peace.
16 In all things take ye the shield of faith, in which ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of him that is most wicked.[a]
17 And take ye the helmet of health, and the sword of the Ghost, that is, the word of God.
18 By all prayer and beseeching pray ye all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all holy men, [By all prayer and beseeching praying all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all saints,]
19 and for me; that word be given to me in opening of my mouth, with trust to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am set in message in a chain [for which I am set in legacy, or message, in this chain]; so that in it I be hardy to speak, as it behooveth me [to speak out].
21 And [that] ye know, what things be about me, what I do, Tychicus, my most dear brother, and true minister in the Lord, shall make all things known to you;
22 whom I sent to you for this same thing, that ye know what things be about us, and that he comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to brethren, and charity, with faith of God our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace with all men that love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruption. Amen, that is, So be it. [Grace with all that love our Lord Jesus in uncorruption. Amen.]
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:16 In all things taking the shield of faith, in which ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of the worst.
Ephesians 6
New Matthew Bible
How children should behave toward their fathers and mothers; likewise fathers toward their children, servants toward their masters, and masters toward their servants. An exhortation to the spiritual battle, and what weapons Christians should fight with.
6 Children, obey your fathers and mothers in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment that has any promise with it), 3 so that you may prosper and live long on the earth. 4 And ye fathers, do not move your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to your carnal masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ – 6 not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will: 7 serving the Lord, and not men. 8 And remember, whatever good thing anyone does, that he will receive back again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And ye masters, do the same toward your servants, putting away threatenings. And remember that even your master also is in heaven; neither is there any respect of person with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the armour of God so that you are able to stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rule, against power; namely against the rulers of the world, of the darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness, for heavenly things. 13 So then, take up the armour of God, so that you are able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.
14 Stand therefore, your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and shod with shoes prepared by the gospel of peace. 16 Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray always with every sort of prayer and supplication, and that in the Spirit. And keep vigil also with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – 19 and for me: that utterance may be given to me; that I may open my mouth boldly to utter the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am a messenger in bonds; that I may speak freely therein as I ought to speak.
21 But so that you may also know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, 22 whom I sent to you for this same purpose: so that you could know what circumstances I stand in, and so that he could comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in pureness. Amen.
Sent from Rome to the Ephesians
by the hand of
Tychicus.
Ephesians 6
1599 Geneva Bible
6 1 He showeth the duties of children, 5 servants, 9 and masters: 10 Then he speaketh of the fierce battle that the faithful have, 12 and what weapons we must use in the same: 21 In the end he commendeth Tychicus.
1 Children, (A)[a]obey your parents [b]in the [c]Lord: [d]for this is right.
2 (B)[e]Honor thy father and mother ([f]which is the first commandment with [g]promise)
3 That it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on earth.
4 [h]And ye, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in instruction and [i]information of the Lord.
5 (C)[j]Servants, be obedient unto them that are your masters, [k]according to the flesh, with [l]fear and trembling in singleness of your hearts, as unto Christ,
6 Not with service to the eye, as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, [m]doing the will of God from the heart.
7 With good will, serving the [n]Lord, and not men.
8 [o]And know ye that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, that same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free,
9 [p]And ye masters, do the same things unto them, putting away threatening: and know that even your master also is in heaven, neither is there (D)[q]respect of person with him.
10 ¶ [r]Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil.
12 [s]For we wrestle not against flesh and [t]blood, but against (E)[u]principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places.
13 [v]For this cause take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to resist in the [w]evil day, and having finished all things, stand fast.
14 Stand therefore, and your loins girded about with verity, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 And your feet shod with the [x]preparation of the Gospel of peace.
16 Above all, take the shield of Faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked,
17 And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray always with all manner prayer and supplication in the [y]spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints,
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publish the secret of the Gospel,
20 Whereof I am the ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 ¶ [z]But that ye may also know mine affairs, and what I do, Tychicus my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall show you of all things.
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know mine affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them which love our Lord Jesus Christ, to their [aa]immortality, Amen.
¶ Written from Rome unto the Ephesians, and sent by Tychicus.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:1 He cometh to another part of a family, and showeth that the duty of the children toward their parents, consisteth in obedience unto them.
- Ephesians 6:1 The first argument: because God hath so appointed: whereupon it followeth also, that children are so far forth bound to obey their parents, as they may not swerve from the true worship of God.
- Ephesians 6:1 For the Lord is author of all fatherhood, and therefore we must yield such obedience as he will have us.
- Ephesians 6:1 The second argument: because this obedience is most just.
- Ephesians 6:2 A proof of the first argument.
- Ephesians 6:2 The third argument, taken of the profit that ensueth thereby: because the Lord vouchsafed this commandment amongst the rest, of a special blessing.
- Ephesians 6:2 With a special promise: for otherwise the second commandment hath a promise of mercy to a thousand generations, but that promise is general.
- Ephesians 6:4 It is the duty of fathers to use their fatherly authority moderately, and to God’s glory.
- Ephesians 6:4 Such information and precepts, as being taken out of God’s book are holy and acceptable to him.
- Ephesians 6:5 Now he ascendeth to the third part of a family, to wit, to the duty both of the masters and of the servants. And he showeth that the duty of servants consisteth in a hearty love and reverence to their master.
- Ephesians 6:5 He mitigateth the sharpness of service, in that they are spiritually free, notwithstanding the same, and yet that spiritual freedom taketh not away corporal service, insomuch that they cannot be Christ’s, unless they serve their masters willingly and faithfully, so far forth as they may with safe conscience.
- Ephesians 6:5 With careful reverence: for slavish fear is not allowable, much less in Christian servants.
- Ephesians 6:6 To cut off occasion of all pretences, he teacheth us that it is God’s will that some are either born or made servants, and therefore they must respect God’s will, although their service be never so hard.
- Ephesians 6:7 Being moved with a reverence so Godward, as though ye served God himself.
- Ephesians 6:8 Although they serve unkind and cruel masters, yet the obedience of servants is no less acceptable to God, than the obedience of them that are free.
- Ephesians 6:9 It is the duty of masters to use the authority that they have over their servants modestly, and holily, seeing that they in another respect have a common master, which is in heaven, who will judge both the bond and the free.
- Ephesians 6:9 Either of freedom or bondage.
- Ephesians 6:10 He concludeth the other part of this Epistle with a grave exhortation, that all be ready, and fight constantly, trusting to spiritual weapons, until their enemies be clean put to flight. And first of all, he warneth us to take the armor of God, whereby only our enemy may be dispatched.
- Ephesians 6:12 Secondly he declareth that our chiefest and mightiest enemies are invisible, that we may not think that our chiefest conflict is with men.
- Ephesians 6:12 Against men, which are of a frail and brittle nature, against which are set spiritual subtleties, more mighty than the other by a thousand parts.
- Ephesians 6:12 He giveth these names to the evil angels, reason of the effects which they work: not that they are able to do the same of themselves, but because God giveth them the bridle.
- Ephesians 6:13 He showeth that these enemies are put to flight with the only armor of God, to wit, with uprightness of conscience, a godly and holy life, knowledge of the Gospel, faith, and to be short, with the word of God, and using daily earnest prayer for the health of the Church, and especially, for the constance of the true, godly, and valiant ministers of the word.
- Ephesians 6:13 See Eph. 5:16.
- Ephesians 6:15 That the preparation of the Gospel may be as it were shoes to you: and it is very fitly called the Gospel of peace, for that, seeing we have to go to God through most dangerous ranks of enemies, this may encourage us to go on manfully, in that we know by the doctrine of the Gospel, that we take our journey to God, who is at peace with us.
- Ephesians 6:18 That holy prayers may proceed from the holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 6:21 A familiar and very amiable declaration of his state, together with a solemn prayer, wherewith Paul is wont to end his Epistles.
- Ephesians 6:24 To life everlasting.
Ephesians 6
Authorized (King James) Version
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 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; 6 not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 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.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 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, 20 for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.