Ephesians Chapter 6.

Ephesians Chapter 6.

Macgregor.:-

           

Paul has in view demonic intelligences of a much higher order than the "devil" who possessed the poor disordered souls that meet us in the Gospel pages.  These are cosmic spirit forces which possess and control not only the individual human lives, but the very course of the universe.

           

"The world." - "Potentates of this present darkness."  `Kaosmokratores' is the word used in the Hellenistic mystical writings of the seven supreme astral deities.  Paul admits the existence of these principalities and powers, but he denies their divinity, 1.Cor.8:4-6.

           

The principalities and powers were ultimately responsible for the Crucifixion, 1.Cor.2:7-8.  Behind Caiaphas, Pilate, etc., stand invisible powers.  By "rulers of this world," Paul appears to mean both cosmic "principalities and powers" and also their actual human executives. The very kernel of his doctrine of redemption is that by their tragic miscalculations, the "rulers" become the instrument of their own destruction. 

           

How then did the death of Christ accomplish this primary redemption from servitude to the spirit-forces of evil?   The key verse is Col.2:15, "He stripped off from himself the principalities and powers and made them a contemptible exhibition, when by His Cross He triumphed over them."  Christ subjected himself to that from which He saved others. The demonic powers are cosmic powers, so is the redemption which Christ wins a cosmic redemption event.

           

Romans 8, shows that the consummation of this cosmic redemption is still in the future.  "The rulers of this world" have not yet been utterly destroyed, but they are being put out of action (1.Cor.2:6), or progressively "mopped up."  `Katargoumenoi', 1.Cor.2:6.  - Macgregor.

           

Macphail.:-

Our faith must be a fighting faith.  He says three words sum up Ephesians:-

1/  The Mystery.

2/  The Unity.

3/  The Praise.

           

Let us be strong in prayer, not because unity is attractive or effective, but because it is the will of God to make all one in Christ. (Macphail, Sc.J.Th.).

           

H.J.Miller - Commentary.:-

6:2.  `Prote', "chief,"  first in importance, not first in order.

6:4.  `Oipateres'.  Note that in 6:1, it is `tois goneusin'.  There is equal recognition of the mother's authority in the home. - The gentle, tender influence of the mother. - Not only does he set upon women's brow "the crown of domestic queenship," but he softens the rigour of the father's rule and forbids the arbitrary exercise of paternal power.  It is a pathetic picture to see children cowered and rendered spiritless by harsh discipline.

           

6:5.  "Slaves."  The juxtaposition of children and slaves are full of significance, it is a tacit prophecy of emancipation.  It brings the slave within the household and gives a new dignity to domestic service.  "With fear and trembling."  This expresses scrupulous conscientiousness in the discharge of their duties, a nervous neglect of any portion of them, not a cowering dread of masters.

           

"In singleness of your heart." - The broken heart is made whole, one, single.  A man can bear anything if he be but "heart-whole."

           

6:6.  "But as slaves of Christ."  The sting of slavery is extracted by this ignoring, but add `tou christou' to it, and self-respect is restored, and with it the reality of freedom.

"Doing the will of God."  For others, as well as for himself, Paul's faith is firm in God, "who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."  Beneath even the crowning injustice of slavery, "the mystery of His will," is to be recognized.  "From the soul," "soulfully."

           

6:7.  "Slaving with good will."

           

6:8.   "Whether he be bond or free."  The law of compensation applies to all equally.

           

6:9.  The death-knell of slavery began to be sounded when recognition was thus authoritatively claimed for the rights of the slave.  A wholesale emancipation of these countless hordes would have resulted in anarchy and involved them in misery.  It was wisely done to awaken first their spiritual nature and clothe them with the dignity of moral responsibility.  The inward change would carry with it consequences and the masters would help forward the movement, which could have but one end.  The uncontrolled power of the slave-owner is checked by the thought of a higher, more resistless power held over themselves.  The master is addressed in a tone of greater sternness than slaves.

           

6:10-20.  Missionary enterprise.  The aggressive work of the Christian Church.  "The schemes of the devil."  The word does not denote craft, but system.  The devil is a systematic worker.  He does not act haphazardly, but by elaborate rule and method.  He has his schedules and age-long plan.

           

6:12.  Underlying all the wickedness is the "wicked one."  Evil is most to be dreaded when it wears a spiritual aspect.  The sensual form is the least insidious.

           

6:13.   "Take up." "Once for all."  The armour is wholly

provided, it only has to be assumed.  "The whole armour of God," - no other will be found adequate.

           

"They may be able to stand." - attacks are to be looked for. "The evil day" -  what is generally true of all days (5:16), is particularly true of certain days.  The Christian warfare is lifelong; but there are special days of battle, in which all depends on previous training and discipline.

           

`Stenai'. - The repetition of this word from verse 11, precludes the idea of triumph, though, as following `antistenai', it implies a particular victory, the repulse of an attempt to dislodge them from their position.  Life's long campaign is ended by no single pitched engagement, and each passing victory must leave them still in the attitude of vigilance.

           

6:14.  `Stete oun'.  "Before the fight" (here), "after the fight" (v.13), and "in the fight" (v.11).  There is the same attitude of alertness and vigilance.  "Having girded your loins." - Calm, manly,

uncomplaining, unconscious heroism.

           

The objective truth of revelation envelopes and conditions that subjective apprehension of it which braces a man for action by the conviction which it begets in him, 1.Pet.1:13. The first condition of steadfastness in the Christian conflict is to live in the atmosphere of truth.

           

6:15.  Not the least important part of the soldier's outfit is his footwear, and to put off the shoes would be the act of one who regarded his warfare accomplished and pilgrimage ended.  Isa.5:27;  Ex.12:11.  Shod feet signify refusal to submit to defeat. Isa.20:4.  The loosed shoes is a sign of duty refused, (Deut.25:9-10), and of violent grief and humiliation, (2.Sam. 15:39;  Isa.20:2,4;  Ezek.24:17.

           

"The preparedness of the Gospel of Peace."  Miller does not understand this of footwear, but as descriptive of the Spirit which prompts to this attitude of sustained alacrity and watchfulness.  The strange intrusion of this note of peace amid the sound of war has a parallel in Phil.4:7.

           

6:16.  The `Thureos' was a large oblong shield, behind which the whole person sheltered as behind a door.  `Tabele' - the fiery - `tyst', darts of the evil one., Our faith will always be invigorated by reflection on the triumph of faith.

           

6:17.  `Dexasthe', note the change from `analabete', to emphasize that salvation is a gift.  The helmet is for the head, - in times of intellectual perplexity we can fall back with entire relief on the absolute fact of `salvation'.  The `sword' which the Spirit uses, is in contrast, the only offensive weapon apart from the `Word of God'.

            6:18.  "By means of every kind of prayer and supplication."  The Christian soldier, his equipment completed, is set in his place in the ranks.  Independent of action is not his;  he is to hold himself subject to Divine commands, and to co-operate intelligently with his fellows.  By "all manner of prayer and supplication," is expressed the completeness of his submission to the Divine Commander, whose will he seeks to know, that he may execute it. 

           

"Praying on." - Prayer is an ever - present duty.  "For all saints." - Personal piety is not the end of Christianity, but concerted action.  The true Christian is a soldier in the ranks, not a solitary policeman, thrown upon his own resources, to act for the most part independently, and at the dictates of his own judgment.  - Miller.

           

F.C.Synge - Commentary. :-

           

6:1-4.  "Provoke."  It may here mean "be angry," rather

than "provoke".  Parents must not allow bad temper to control their admonition of their children.  Any wrath which they display must be wrath of the Lord, which, though stern and just, is constructive and remedial in purpose. 

           

6:5.  "With fear and trembling," - this phrase indicates the emotions proper in the presence of God.  Obedience is a religious duty.

           

6:6-8.  Paul's instructions to Christian slaves are relevant to all servants.  the quality of a Christian's work is to be higher than that of a non-Christian's.

           

6:9.  "Threatening." - Bullying.  "There is no respect of persons with Him."  There is no snobbery with Him.

           

6:10.  "Be empowered." - Rather then, "be strong," for it is not our strength which avails.  It is, on the contrary, knowledge of our weakness that sends us to the Lord for aid.  Sin is established within us, a fifth column.

           

6:13.  So fierce is the conflict that we are promised no easy victory, so sharp is the onslaught that we are bidden to withstand it rather than to advance to triumph.  In elaborating the figure of God's armour, Paul draws a upon number of passages from scripture, Isa.11:5;  59:16,17;  Wisdom.5:17.

           

6:14.  "Having girded your loins with truth."  God's truth.  False `religions', false `philosophies', `ideologies', capture mens' minds.  First resistance, God's armour of truth alone is sufficient. Truthfulness, sincerity, and unerring discernment.  Nothing that is a lie or insincere or dubious or plausible or specious or relative can approach Him.  In such an armour are we to be girt.

           

"Breastplate of Righteousness."  It is compounded of uprightness, integrity, hatred of injustice, salvation of the oppressed, the condemnation of the guilty;  a righteousness which is not taken in by fair words, which rejects bribes, which is at once implacably and inflexibly just and merciful and loving.

           

6:15.  "Having shod your feet with the Gospel of Peace." - So that you can go with all the readiness of one who bears good news of peace. Isa.52:7.

           

6:16.  "With all" or "in all circumstances."  Faith is a fortress against which the devil makes his strongest of assaults.

           

6:17.  "Wear salvation."  Live as a sinner saved.  It is a helmet worn by those who already have been given salvation.  In this helmet we fight as sinners saved.

           

6:18-20.  "The sword of the Spirit, which is the  Word of God."  Chiefly this sword is to be found in prayer,

            6:18-20.  "Prayer," holds the saints fast within the New Israel, binds upon each man and woman the armour of God. (Synge).

           

Lock. - Commentary.:-

           

6:2.  The first commandment - probably, a command of first importance, as none of the other Ten commandments has a promise, it seems better to separate these words from "with promise, which is the first commandment and contains a promise."

           

6:5-9.  The main stress is laid on the duty of slaves, because of the danger of their exaggeration of the Christian doctrine of freedom.

           

6:10-20.  Final appeal.  "Remember the Christian life is a warfare against spiritual foes.  You must rely upon the Lord's own strength and wear God's own armour."

           

6:10.  "Be strong." - "Be made strong." Phil.4:13.  "In the strength of His might."

           

6:11.  The language is combined with Isa.11:15, and perhaps Wisdom, 5:17-20.  "The wiles," - the deliberate planning of the methods of attack.

           

6:12.  "The spiritual host's."  The Greek word implies warfare, the spiritual contingents of wickedness, active wicked, bent on doing harm.

           

6:13.  The evil day may come at any time.  Actively evil, dangerous.  The wicked day.

           

6:14-17.  Note the stress on the whole equipment.

           

6:14.  "Truth." - It is the revelation of the true nature of God and man, (1:13, which produces truthfulness and sincerity.

           

"Righteousness." - A moral life, doing its duty both to God and man.

           

6:15.  "The preparation." - The word is used for preparation for battle, in Nahum.2:4.  But it may mean, "the firm support, which the Gospel gives you." (Psa.88:15.LXX).  This recalls Isa.52:17.  It is the good tidings as brought by Christ, the Gospel of the peace, peace with God which gives the Christian warrior quite confidence, the peace of courage, but also peace between man and man.

           

6:16.  "The Shield." - Faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ.  "The evil one," - actively maliciously evil.

           

6:17.  "Take." - Rather "receive."  A stronger word than "take up," the salvation, the true saving power, God's Saving Power.  Confidence of our own salvation, "go forward confidently to the salvation of others."  

           

The "Sword." - The Christian warrior may at least at last take the offensive, Matt.26:52.   "Which is the Word of God." - "Some utterance of God."  How important that Christian warriors should know by heart some passages of Holy Scriptures, which may help in their fight.

           

6:18-20.  Such preparation is inadequate without prayer.  - Lock.

           

F.R.Barry. :-

           

The Christian life is a crusade.  Each little Christian individual is helping to hold a spiritual frontier at the point where his life is placed.  The Christian is girded with heavenly defences.  The true defence is the point of the sword.

           

Mackay.:-  The frontiers of the supernatural order.

           

Paul began this letter by a flight into the heavenly sphere.  He ends his letter with a sober, realistic description of the terrestrial sphere where Christians must stand and fight.  Christians are not up against any merely physical enemy.  Paul has an intense awareness of the personal character of the powers of evil in the universe.  The Christian must fight as an individual.  A victory over temptation won by the most insignificant Christian soul has a cosmic dimension.

           

The pieces of armour are seven in number.  It suggests spiritual completeness.  The Breastplate protects the heart.  The Christian cannot engage in successive spiritual struggle unless he possesses personal integrity.  His record must be clear.  He must be above reproach.  There must be in him no secret sin which has been unconfessed.  He must be no hypocrite.  He must possess that inward purity which comes from willing one thing.

           

Next in importance among the pieces is the Shield of Faith.  A Christian's trust must be in God.  He must be a man of intense conviction who has about him the air of calm decision which marks who he is and to whom he belongs.

           

Upon the head of the Spiritual Crusader is the Helmet of Salvation.  Wearing the helmet he can hold his head erect as a soldier fighting for the Kingdom of God, one who knows that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that the decisive battle of the great campaign has already been won.  He can look his enemies in the face.  He knows that all Christ's foes and his, are doomed, and that the eternal purpose of God in Christ shall be fulfilled in victory and beyond history.

           

Now the four major pieces:-

           

Basic and indispensable for the Christian warrior, whom Paul describes in terms of a Roman legionary, is the Girdle or belt.  By the belt he is girded for action.  "Tighten the belt of truth about your loins."  Truth here means absolute sincerity, downright wholehearted, unreserved devotion to the cause in which, and for which, one becomes a soldier.  Truth, in the most basic sense, must be the possession of the Christian life.  It is something which has him, which possess and engirdles him.

           

Footwear. Without proper footwear, real campaigning is impossible.  With the right shoes the soldier has complete mobility of movement.  Campaign shoes are for all soils and seasons.  Rightly shod, the campaigner can adapt himself to all circumstances.  The warrior's shoes are the stability of the Gospel of Peace.  There are no shoes like these.  They make a man run or walk with greater swiftness, and have more staying power than did the shoes of any of the fabled figures of legend. 

The Sword, the Word of God, as Bunyan's pilgrim found, "is a `right' Jerusalem blad," in the hands of each Christian.  "Greatheart," it has a cutting edge.  It probes the core of human issues.  It cuts cordian knots and rips away the masks of falsehood. 

           

Most potent weapon of all, that in which the seven pieces of the Christian armour culminates, is a weapon called "All Prayer."  To wield this weapon is to pray at all times in the Spirit.  Let him use every kind of prayer.  Let him persevere in prayer.  And let him pray for all Christ's men and women. Evil powers. (Notes from D.E.H.Whiteley in Expos.Times). The kernel of the New Testament teaching concerning evil powers is that Christ is their Conqueror, and that those who belong to Christ are enabled to share His victory.

The Greek conception of sin was that it was due to man's sense-nature, and the body is the source of evil, but our struggle against demonic forces reveals sin to be pride and rebellion. - (Brunner) 

           

Grant. - Numerical Bible.

           

6:14.   "Truth."  Notice here, comes first - the action of the word; and what it does for us?  It girds the loins.  It prevents our garments, our habit, hindering us.

           

"Shod." - the shoes of the children of Israel never wore out during 40 years journey. Deut.29:5.

           

"Our preparation." - Is that which is wrought by the effect of "the Gospel of Peace."  It is not a question of carrying the Gospel to others.  It is our feet that are shod with this preparation, it is a peace that God has proclaimed to us.  "If God be for us, who can be against us?"  It is this peace that arms the feet, then, for all the difficulties of the way.  What circumstances are there which are not in His hand?  What difficulties can be too much for Him. (Grant).

           

Salmond. - Commentary.:-

           

6:14.  "Truth."  The personal grace of candour, sincerity, truthfulness.  The grace of openness, truthfulness, reality, the mind that will practice no deceits and attempts no disguises in our intercourse with God, this is vital to Christian safety, and essential to the operation of all the other qualities of character.

           

"The Breastplate which is righteousness."  The genitive of identity.  The quality of moral rectitude.

           

Military sandals - which protect the feet and made it possible for the soldier to move with quick and certain step.

           

"With preparedness."  The ethical equipment of the Christian includes readiness, preparedness of mind.  The preparedness which comes from the Gospel whose message is peace with God.  That peace which alone impart the sense of freedom, relieves us of what burdens us, and gives us the spirit of courageous readiness for the battle with evil.  Here the readiness is not zeal in proclaiming the Gospel, but promptitude with reference to the conflict.  The preparedness, the mental alacrity of which we are inspired by the Gospel with its message of peace with God, is to be to us the protection and equipment, which the sandals that cover the feet are to the soldier.  With this we shall be helped to face the foe with courage and promptitude.  (Salmond).