Chapter 6
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9And, 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.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For 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.
13Wherefore 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.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21But 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:
22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Overview
Paul concludes with instructions for children and parents, servants and masters, establishing that all human relationships are lived under Christ's lordship. He then delivers his famous call to put on the whole armour of God to stand against the wiles of the devil, identifying the spiritual enemies believers face and describing each piece of divine armor: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. He calls for constant prayer and watchfulness.
Key Themes
Christ-Centered Relationships
Children obey parents in the Lord, fathers raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and servants serve as unto Christ — every relationship is governed by allegiance to Him.
The Whole Armour of God
Believers face a spiritual battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places, requiring divine armor to stand firm.
The Weapon of Prayer
Prayer is the means by which every piece of armor is activated — believers are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching with perseverance for all saints.
Study Questions
Why does Paul specify that our battle is 'not against flesh and blood' (v. 12), and how should this change our perspective on conflict?
What does each piece of the armour of God represent, and how do we practically 'put on' each one?
Why is truth listed as the first piece of armor — the belt that holds everything together (v. 14)?
How does the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (v. 17) function as both an offensive and defensive weapon?
What does it mean to pray 'always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit' (v. 18), and how do we cultivate this habit?
Connection to Christ
Every piece of armor points to Christ. He is the truth, our righteousness, the author of the gospel of peace, the object of saving faith, the source of salvation, and the living Word of God. To put on the whole armour of God is to put on Christ Himself and stand firm in His victory.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Ephesians 6. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?