Ephesians 6 – Page 3 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:4 – Godly Parenting

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Will

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

Truth to Learn

Parents should be an example of God’s love in the way they raise their children.

Behind the Words

The words “provoke … to anger” are translated from the Greek verb parorgidzō, which is made up of para meaning “near” or “beside,” implying movement toward something, and orgidzō, meaning “to provoke” or “to cause anger.” Hence, parorgidzō literally means “to move someone to the point of anger.”

The words “bring them up” are from ektrephō. This is composed of ek, meaning “out of” but used as an intensifier, and trephō, meaning “to stiffen or fatten;” that is, “to nourish.” Ektrephō means “to bring up” or “to nurture.”

“Discipline” is from paideia, which refers to “education and training accomplished through instruction and discipline.”

“Instruction” is translated from the Greek word nouthesia, which is made up of nous, referring to “the mind” or “intellect” and a derivative of ththēmi, meaning “to place” or “to stand.” The basic meaning of nouthesia is “to instruct by calling attention to something or by giving a warning.”

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current subject of instruction is about how we are to behave within a family. At the end of the last chapter he talked about how a husband and wife are to relate to each other. In the past few verses he talked about how we are to think and act with respect to our parents. Now he teaches how fathers (and mothers) are to treat their children.

During the first century, the world was under Roman domination. With each area the Romans defeated, they imposed their laws and their lifestyle. For the most part, however, they allowed the conquered countries to continue their own religious practices as long as they recognized the emperor (Caesar) as a god also. Within Roman society the man was ruler of his household and could do almost anything he wanted with his wife and children. In that society wives and children were viewed as little more than possessions. Because of this, abuse and what we would consider crimes against women and children were commonplace in Roman households.

In teaching about family relations within a Christian household, therefore, Paul addresses the role of the father more than any other member of the family. In today’s verse he tells fathers what to do and what not to do with regard to their children. First, he tells Christian fathers (and by association, Christian mothers) not to drive their children to anger. In Colossians 3:21 we learn that this actually causes children to become discouraged. Then, he tells fathers to educate their children, to train them, and to give them warnings about the consequences of certain actions. Paul tells them to do all this within the framework of God’s guidance and oversight.

Application

How we raise our children has a profound influence on how our children will relate to God later in life. If we demonstrate godly parenting, we can be firm, correcting, and loving all at the same time, demonstrating how God loves and treats us. Do your children see God in the way you are raising them?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:3 – Faithful Obedience from Love

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Will

That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.

Truth to Learn

We should be obedient to God because we love Him, not because we want or expect something from Him.

Behind the Words

The verbal phrase “it may be” is translated from the Greek word ginomai, which means “to begin to be,” “to come into existence,” or “to come into a given condition or state.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of occurrence.

“Live long” is from the Greek adjective makrochronios. This is the only place in the New Testament where this word occurs. It is made up of makros, meaning “large” or “long” and chronos, meaning “a length of time.” Thus, makrochronios literally means “long-timed” or “long- lived.” A literal translation of the second half of this verse might be, “and you will be long-lived on the earth.”

Meaning Explained

As we learned yesterday, Paul is basically quoting the fifth commandment. The first thing we have to notice is that he didn’t quote it exactly. We’ll see why in just a minute. Like the rest of the Law, this commandment was given to the Israelites after they left Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land. It specifically promises long life in the land of Canaan. But, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul modified the contents of the commandment to apply its principle to Christians living throughout the world.

As we have mentioned before, Christians are not under the Law of Moses. Keeping the Law does not make us righteous any more than it makes devout Jews righteous. In fact, Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to address this very issue. In that church there were some who claimed that Christians had to keep the Law even after faith in Christ. He taught very clearly that we are not justified by obedience, we are justified by faith in Christ and we are no longer under the Law.

Therefore the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor. (Galatians 3:24-25)

The other thing we need to observe is that this is not a “magic formula” for God’s blessing; rather, it is given to us as a general principle. There are many people who have honored their parents and yet died young. That doesn’t make God a liar. Paul gives us these verses to teach us that it is proper for us to obey our parents and that, in general, God blesses those who do. Far too many Christians today believe that obedience to a set of rules is what pleases God. Their religion is no better than that of the Pharisees, who ultimately rejected the Messiah they claimed to be waiting for, even though they followed all the rules. Keep in mind what the writer of Hebrews said:

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seeking Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Application

Our obedience to God should be because of our love for Him (see John 14:23), not because we want to win His favor. So, let us honor God by honoring our parents.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Will

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:1 – Obedience is Right

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Will

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Truth to Learn

Obeying our parents is what God expects from us.

Behind the Words

“Children” is translated from the Greek noun teknon, which is based on the verb tiktō, meaning “to bring forth, or bear children.” Therefore, teknon refers to someone who has been born, that is, a child. The word teknon is a neuter noun so there is no implication as to the gender of the child.

The word “obey” is from hupakouō, composed of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear” or “to listen.” Thus, hupakouō, means “to hear under,” that is, “to listen attentively.” By implication it means “to obey.” It is expressed here as a command.

“Parents” is from goneus, a noun derived from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be” or “to generate.” Thus, goneus refers to someone who brought someone or something into being, that is, “a parent.”

Dikaion is the Greek word translated “right.” This is derived from the word dikē, which originally meant “a manner” or “a tendency.” Later it came to refer to the acceptance or correctness of established custom or usage. The basic meaning of dikaion is that of “an imposed standard of behavior which, if not met, results in punishment.”

Meaning Explained

Having spent most of the previous chapter teaching about the relationship between members of the body of Christ and how we are to treat one another, the Apostle Paul ended the chapter with a lesson on how husbands and wives are to interact with each other within the marriage relationship. Now, he moves on to other relationships within a household.

He starts off this section talking to children. Take note, however, that he is not simply talking to little children, adolescents, and teenagers. He uses the term teknon, which is a generic term for someone who has been born. In general usage it refers to those living in their parents’ home under their parents’ care. But, as Paul uses the word, it also refers to adults who still have a living mother or father. This is indicated by verse two and three where he refers to long life and blessing being a result of honoring your parents.

The expression “in the Lord” means that parental obedience is to be practiced as part of our submissive relationship with our Lord and Savior. Paul explains this a little further in his letter to the Colossians:

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

God is pleased when we respect our parents and humbly learn all that we can from them.

Application

In the latter half of the twentieth century is was in vogue for those with problems of various kinds to blame their parents. As children of God, however, we are to humble ourselves before our God and to learn what we can from our parents (even when we are adults). This is right, and this is what God expects from His children.

In God's service, for His glory,