Advanced Commentary
Texts -- Ephesians 6:3-24 (NET)
Pericope
NET
- Eph 6:10-20 -- Exhortations for Spiritual Warfare
- Eph 6:21-24 -- Farewell Comments
Bible Dictionary
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War
[ebd] The Israelites had to take possession of the Promised Land by conquest. They had to engage in a long and bloody war before the Canaanitish tribes were finally subdued. Except in the case of Jericho and Ai, the war did not be...
[nave] WAR Divine approval of, 2 Sam. 22:35. Civil, Judg. 12:1-6; 20; 2 Sam. 2:12-31; 3:1; 20; 1 Kin. 14:30; 16:21; Isa. 19:2; forbidden, 2 Chr. 11:4; averted, Josh. 22:11-34. Enemy harangued by general of opposing side, 2 Kin. 1...
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EPHESIANS, EPISTLE TO THE
[isbe] EPHESIANS, EPISTLE TO THE - I. AUTHENTICITY 1. External Evidence 2. Internal Evidence II. PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING III. DESTINATION 1. Title 2. The Inscription 3. The Evidence of the Letter Itself 4. Conclusion IV. RELATION...
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Ephesians, Epistle to
[ebd] was written by Paul at Rome about the same time as that to the Colossians, which in many points it resembles. Contents of. The Epistle to the Colossians is mainly polemical, designed to refute certain theosophic errors that ...
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Commandments
[nave] COMMANDMENTS. Ex. 13:8-10; Ex. 20:3; Ex. 20:4-6; Ex. 20:7; Ex. 20:8-11; Ex. 20:12; Ex. 20:13; Ex. 20:14; Ex. 20:15; Ex. 20:16; Ex. 20:17 Deut. 5:6-21. Deut. 4:5, 9, 10; Deut. 6:4-9; Deut. 11:18-21; Deut. 32:46, 47; Josh. 8:...
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ARMOR; ARMS
[isbe] ARMOR; ARMS - ar'-mer, arms. I. ARMOR IN GENERAL--OLD TESTAMENT II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; POLYBIUS III. OFFENSIVE WEAPONS 1. Rod 2. Sling 3. Bow and Arrows 4. Spear--Javelin 5. Sword IV. DEFENSIVE WEAPONS 1. Shield 2. Helmet...
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Zeal
[nave] ZEAL, Religious Josh. 24:15, 16; 2 Sam. 24:24, 25; 1 Kin. 9:4; 1 Kin. 15:14; 1 Chr. 29:17; 2 Chr. 15:15; 2 Chr. 19:3; Ezra 7:23; Job 16:19; Psa. 42:1, 2; Psa. 60:4; Psa. 96:2, 3, 10; Psa. 119:139; Prov. 11:30; Eccl. 9:10; ...
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Armor
[nave] ARMOR, the equipment of a soldier, Jer. 46:3, 4; Eph. 6:14-17. See: Breastplate; Brigandine; Coat of Mail; Greave; Habergeon; Helmet; Shield. Figurative Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:7; 10:4; Eph. 6:11-17; 1 Thess. 5:8.
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Satan
[smith] The word itself, the Hebrew satan , is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1Â Samuel 29:4; 2Â Samuel 19:22; 1Â Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord...
[nave] SATAN Called Abaddon, Rev. 9:11; accuser of our brethren, Rev. 12:10; adversary, 1 Pet. 5:8; angel of the bottomless pit, Rev. 9:11; Apollyon, Rev. 9:11; Beelzebub, Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15; Belial, 2 Cor. 6:15; th...
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ALLEGORY
[isbe] ALLEGORY - al'-e-go-ri: The term allegory, being derived from allo agoreuein, signifying to say something different from what the words themselves imply, can etymologically be applied to any figurative form of expression of ...
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Soldiers
[nave] SOLDIERS Military enrollment of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, Num. 1; 2; in the plains of Moab, Num. 26. Levies of, in the ratio of one man to ten subject to duty, Judg. 20:10. Dressed in scarlet, Nah. 2:3. Cowards e...
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Temptation
[nave] TEMPTATION. Gen. 3:1-13; Gen. 20:6; Ex. 34:12 vs. 13-16.; Deut. 7:25; Deut. 8:11-14, 17, 18; Deut. 13:3; 1 Chr. 21:1; 2 Chr. 32:30, 31; Psa. 119:165; Prov. 1:10-17; Prov. 2:10-12, 16; Prov. 4:14, 15; Prov. 5:6-21; Prov. 6:2...
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Gospel
[ebd] a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "th...
[isbe] GOSPEL - gos'-pel (to euaggelion): The word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word which meant "the story concerning God." In the New Testament the Greek word euaggelion, means "good news." It proclaims tidings of deliv...
[nave] GOSPEL Called Gospel of the Kingdom, Matt. 4:23; 24:14; Gospel of God, Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:11; 1 Pet. 4:17; Gospel of Jesus Christ, Mark 1:1; Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 9:12, 18; Gal. 1:7; Phil. ...
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SLAVE; SLAVERY
[isbe] SLAVE; SLAVERY - slav, slav'-er-i: 1. Acquiring of Slaves 2. Hebrews as War Captives 3. Freedom of Slaves 4. Rights of Slaves 5. Rights of Slave Masters 6. The New Testament Conception LITERATURE The origin of the term "slav...
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Tychicus
[ebd] chance, an Asiatic Christian, a "faithful minister in the Lord" (Eph. 6:21, 22), who, with Trophimus, accompanied Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). He is alluded to also in Col. 4:7, Titu...
[isbe] TYCHICUS - tik'-i-kus (Tuchikos, lit. "chance"): Mentioned 5 times in the New Testament (Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; 2 Tim 4:12; Tit 3:12); an Asiatic Christian, a friend and companion of the apostle Paul. (1) In the first...
[nave] TYCHICUS, an Asian companion of Paul. Accompanies Paul from Greece to Asia, Acts 20:4. With Paul in Nicopolis, Tit. 3;12, with postscript to Titus. With Paul in Rome, Eph. 6:21, 22; Col. 4:7, 8, with postscripts to Ephesians...
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Faithfulness
[nave] FAITHFULNESS. Psa. 12:1; Psa. 31:23; Prov. 20:6; Prov. 28:20; Matt. 10:22; Matt. 24:45-47 Luke 12:42-44. Matt. 25:14-23 Luke 19:12-27. Luke 16:10-12; 1 Cor. 4:2; Col. 3:22 Eph. 6:5-9. Rev. 2:10 See: Obedience, Exhortation t...
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Servant
[nave] SERVANT Distinguished as bond servant, who was a slave, and hired servant. Bond Laws of Moses concerning, Ex. 21:1-11, 20, 21, 26, 27, 32; Lev. 19:20-22; 25:6, 10, 35-55; Deut. 15:12, 14, 18; 24:7. Kidnapping forbidden, D...
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BIBLE, THE, I-III INTRODUCTION
[isbe] BIBLE, THE, I-III INTRODUCTION - bi'-b'-l, (biblia): I. THE NAMES 1. Bible 2. Other Designations--Scriptures, etc. 3. Old Testament and New Testament II. LANGUAGES III. COMPASS AND DIVISIONS 1. The Jewish Bible Josephus, etc...
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Minister
[ebd] one who serves, as distinguished from the master. (1.) Heb. meshereth, applied to an attendant on one of superior rank, as to Joshua, the servant of Moses (Ex. 33:11), and to the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 4:43). This name i...
[nave] MINISTER, a sacred teacher. Index of Sub-topics Miscellany of Minor Sub-topics; Call of; Character and Qualifications of; Charge Delivered to; Courage of; Duties of; Duties of the Church to; Emoluments of; Faithful, Instanc...
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Sincerity
[nave] SINCERITY Does not exempt from guilt, Gen. 20. See: Ignorance, Sins of. Forgiveness of enemies must be sincere, Matt. 18:35. Servants must render honest service, Eph. 6:5-7. Whatsoever is done must be in, 1 Cor. 10:31. ...
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Intercession
[isbe] INTERCESSION - in-ter-sesh'-un (pagha`, "to make intercession"; originally "to strike upon," or "against"; then in a good sense, "to assail anyone with petitions," "to urge," and when on behalf of another, "to intercede" (Ru...
[nave] INTERCESSION. Of One Person with Another 1 Sam. 2:25 Instances of: Reuben for Joseph, Gen. 37:21, 22. Judah for Joseph, Gen. 37:26, 27. Pharaoh's chief baker for Joseph, Gen. 41:9-13, with Gen. 40:14. Jonathan for David...
Arts
Hymns
(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
- 'Ku Mengasihi Yesus, Tuhanku [KJ.305]
- 'KuTahu,Tuhanku [KJ.306]
- Betapa Indah Harinya [KJ.395]
- Di Betlehem T'lah Lahir Seorang Putera [KJ.110]
- Hai Bangkit Bagi Yesus [KJ.340] ( Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus )
- Lawanlah Godaan [KJ.436] ( Yield Not to Temptation )
- Mahakasih Yang Ilahi [KJ.58] ( Love Divine, All Loves Excelling )
- Maju, Laskar Kristus [KJ.339] ( Onward, Christian Soldiers )
- Majulah, Majulah [KJ.253]
- Naikkan Doa Tak Enggan [KJ.452] ( Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare )
- Sertai Kami, Tuhan [KJ.345]
- Setialah [KJ.446]
- Sungguh Kerajaan Allah [KJ.247]
- Syukur Kami padaMu [KJ.320]
- Tak Kita Menyerahkan [KJ.54]
- Takhta Mulia di Tempat Baka [KJ.108] ( Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne )
- Ya Allah Yang Mahatinggi [KJ.246]
- Ya Yesus, Tolonglah [KJ.28] ( Lord Jesus, Think on Me / Mnooeo Khriste )
- Yang Turun ke Kubur [KJ.209]
- [Eph 6:10] Be Strong In God
- [Eph 6:10] Behold! The Christian Warrior Stand
- [Eph 6:10] Truehearted, Wholehearted, Faithful And
- [Eph 6:11] All The World For Jesus
- [Eph 6:11] Arm These Thy Soldiers, Mighty Lord
- [Eph 6:11] Awake! For The Trumpet Is Sounding!
- [Eph 6:11] Christian, Dost Thou See Them?
- [Eph 6:11] O Christians, Leagued Together
- [Eph 6:11] O When Shall I See Jesus?
- [Eph 6:11] Soldiers Of The Cross, Arise! (waterbury)
- [Eph 6:11] To Arms! To Arms! Ye Soldiers!
- [Eph 6:11] Stand, Soldier Of The Cross
- [Eph 6:11] Stand Up, My Soul
- [Eph 6:12] Angels Your March Oppose
- [Eph 6:12] Conflict Of The Ages, The
- [Eph 6:12] Forward!
- [Eph 6:12] God Is Keeping His Soldiers Fighting
- [Eph 6:12] Hark, How The Watchmen Cry
- [Eph 6:12] O Hear Them Marching, Marching
- [Eph 6:12] We Are Living, We Are Dwelling
- [Eph 6:12] Ye Soldiers Of The King Of Kings
- [Eph 6:13] Onward, Christian!
- [Eph 6:13] Sinner, Art Thou Still Secure?
- [Eph 6:13] Soldiers Of Christ, Arise
- [Eph 6:13] We’ll Battle To The End
- [Eph 6:12] My Faith, It Is An Oaken Staff
- [Eph 6:14] Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
- [Eph 6:17] Gird On The Royal Armor
- [Eph 6:17] Hear The Call
- [Eph 6:17] Inspirer Of The Ancient Seers
- [Eph 6:17] O Blessed Word
- [Eph 6:17] Precious Bible! What A Treasure
- [Eph 6:17] Soldiers Of The Cross, Arise! (how)
- [Eph 6:17] Stand Like The Brave
- [Eph 6:17] When Thy Soldiers Take Their Swords
- [Eph 6:24] More Love To Thee, O Christ
Questions
- This is a common question and one that is often mishandled. Satan is blamed for everything evil and while there is a certain sense in which that is true, it fails to take into consideration all the other issues like our own p...
- I would say concerning Ephesians 6:1, that the best way to interpret the phrase is to compare it to the instructions given to wives and to slaves, since all three groups (children, wives and slaves) represent those who have a...
- The New Testament does distinguish between the qualification between elders and deacons, though I think the difference pertains primarily to the areas of giftedness needed for elders to be able to carry out their roles or fun...
- "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). We are commanded to have faith in God and in Christ (John 14:1; John 6:29) and yet it, of itself, is the gift and work of God in us, t...
- What we dream can be a product of what we have been thinking and focusing on, but often there is no connection. If there have been impure thoughts, or if a person has been engaging in sexual fantasies during the dayreading po...
- Love to God is commanded (Deu. 11:1) and is, indeed, the one great commandment (Matt. 22:38). It should be with all the heart, and is better than sacrifice (Deu. 6:5; Mark 12:33). It's produced by the Holy Ghost and engendere...
- People should not pray to Mary or to any of the Patron Saints. The teaching of Scripture and of the Savior is that we are to pray to the Father through the Son (our one and only mediator) in the power of the Holy Spirit. Comp...
- This is really a tough question and many Bible students would probably offer different opinions. The issue, as always, is what does the Bible teach us on such issues? So I'll share a few thoughts on this. I can think of n...
- This question has puzzled theologians for ages, and has occasioned discussions which have had no profitable issue. There is no source of reliable information but that contained in Scripture and that is of a very meager charac...
- God forbids it (Ecc. 7:9; Matt. 5:22; Rom. 12:19); it is a characteristic of fools and a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20; Prov. 12:16; Prov. 14:29; Prov. 27:3; Ecc. 7:9). Anger is connected with pride, cruelty, clamorous and evi...
- Grace is inactive without our will, hence the order as to "work." "Fear and trembling"(Phil. 2:12) simply mean the holy reverence which accompanies obedience (see Eph. 6:5; I Cor. 2:3; II Cor. 7:15); not slavish fear, like th...
- God forbids it (Ecc. 7:9; Matt. 5:22; Rom. 12:19); it is a characteristic of fools and a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20; Prov. 12:16; Prov. 14:29; Prov. 27:3; Ecc. 7:9). Anger is connected with pride, cruelty, clamorous and evi...
- Whether or not there are evil spirits and the fact of demon possession has often proved baffling to believers. Ephesians 6:12, for instance, is a recognition of the existence and power of evil spirits. It is intimated that th...
Sermon Illustrations
God-Ordained Authorities;
God-Ordained Authorities;
Ephesians 4:11-15;
Acts of Satan;
Unclean Spirits;
Spiritual Warfare;
The Pull of Sin;
Guidelines for Managers and Others in Authority;
The Will of God, Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else;
Guidelines for Workers and Those Under Authority;
R. A. Torry;
Paul;
Ephesians 6:18-20;
2 Corinthians 5:18-20;
World Originally Created Good;
Believers Warfare;
Eleven Benedictions in the Bible;
What to Expect from Your Pastor;
The Spirits Assistance in Prayer;
Things to Pray for;
Pray - Praise - Preach;
Prerequisites for Answered Prayer;
Psalm 18:2;
Greek Words;
Exodus 20:4;
Slavery;
Double-Mindedness;
Proverbs 30:24-28 (Excuse-making);
Parenting;
Qualities Needed in Parenting;
Categories of Angels;
One Faith
Resources/Books
Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)
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"The first four commandments set forth the principles guiding Israel's relationship to Yahweh; and the last six commandments set forth the principles guiding Israel's relationship with the covenant community, and more broadly...
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The meal (grain, cereal) offering was also an offering of worship. It evidently symbolized the sacrifice and commitment of one's person and works to God as well as the worshipper's willingness to keep the law (cf. Rom. 12:1-2...
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The first four commandments deal primarily with man's relationship to God. The last six deal with man's relationship to man (cf. Matt. 22:37-39).The first part of this verse contains a precept. "Honor"means to respect, revere...
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These instructions deal with how Israel was to come into possession of the Promised Land (cf. Num. 33:50-56). They are in the context of civil legislation because Israel did not have a standing army. Soldiers volunteered to g...
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Israel's continuing success led her enemies to exert increasing opposition against the people of God. This chapter records the Canaanites' first aggressive action against the Israelites.10:1-5 The Jebusites lived in and aroun...
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There were three warriors who received higher honor than all the rest (vv. 8-12): Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. What their relationship to The Thirty was is hard to determine.313Three men from The Thirty received s...
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The writer envisioned God sitting as Judge over a gathering of human judges, the judges that lived in every town in Israel. The human judges in Israel served as God's judicial representatives among His people. The Hebrew word...
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103:6-8 Verse 6 is a topic sentence that introduces what follows. Verses 7 and 8 describe God's dealings with Israel at Mt. Sinai. The fact that God revealed Himself to Moses and the Israelites indicates His great compassion ...
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As was true in the chapter 10-15 section, this one (16:1-22:16) also becomes more difficult to outline as it ends because there are fewer groupings of proverbs.19:7 The first part of this verse is hyperbole (overstatement to ...
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Isaiah hinted at the coming of a great future King in his oracles against Philistia and Edom (14:29-30, 32; 21:11-12). Now he revealed more.24:21 When Yahweh brings universal judgment on the world again, He will sovereignly p...
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This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant's submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song.53:10 The apparent miscarriage of justice just described (v. 9) would not be what it would appear to be. It ...
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This is the third and last pericope, parallel to 57:14-21, that announces that God would deliver His people from the sin that plagued them as redeemed people (cf. 6:5). The section also closes the part of Isaiah that deals wi...
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This vision may have come to Jeremiah immediately after the preceding one or at some other time.1:13 The Lord next directed Jeremiah to view a boiling pot (cauldron used for cooking or washing, Heb. sir) that was tipped so th...
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11:14-15 The Lord then replied that many of the Jews in Jerusalem were saying that the Judahites who had gone into captivity were the ones that God was judging. They believed that the Jews left in Jerusalem were the remnant t...
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10:10-11 Evidently the "man"who touched Daniel and who proceeded to speak to him was the same one the prophet saw in the vision (vv. 5-6). The angel described Daniel as a man of high esteem (cf. 9:23; 10:19). We know that Dan...
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16:13 The district of Caesarea Philippi lay 25 miles north of Galilee. Its inhabitants were mainly Gentiles. Herod Philip II, the tetrarch of the region, had enlarged a smaller town on the site at the foot of Mt. Hermon.619He...
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This last part of Jesus' conversation with His disciples in the upper room is unique to Luke. It continues the theme of Jesus' rejection leading to death and what the disciples could expect in view of that rejection.22:35 Jes...
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12:27 Anticipation of the death that had to precede the glory troubled Jesus deeply (Gr. tataraktai, cf. 11:33; 14:1; Mark 14:32-42). It troubled Him because His death would involve separation from His Father and bearing God'...
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In the foregoing verses Paul spoke of God's plan for creation and the believer. In these verses he showed how central a place His children occupy in the plan He is bringing to completion in history.8:26 Hope helps us in our s...
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Paul's thought moved from identifying responsibilities to urging their practice. What lies before us as Christians provides essential motivation for doing so.13:11 "This"refers to the duties urged earlier, not only in this ch...
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Paul now developed the key concept to which he referred in chapter 14, namely putting the welfare of others before that of self (cf. Gal. 6:2). This is love.15:1 The strong ought to take the initiative in resolving the tensio...
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15:30 Paul drew attention to the great need he felt for his readers' prayers by using the same term he did when appealing for them to dedicate themselves to God (12:1). He exhorted them on the basis of their relationship with...
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Paul brought his revelation of the resurrection to a climax in this paragraph by clarifying what all this means for the believer in Christ. Here he also dealt with the exceptional case of living believers' transformation at t...
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"Labors"or "hard work"encompasses all the strenuous activities of life including manual labor."Watchings"are "sleepless nights.""Fastings"or "hunger"refers to missed meals.6:6-7a Paul now named various graces that God had pro...
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10:1-2 Paul may have identified himself by name here so his readers would have no doubt that what he proceeded to say indeed came from him. He began by gently asking his readers to respond to his appeal to submit to his apost...
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In these opening words Paul rebuked his readers for turning away from the gospel that he had preached to them and for turning toward a different "gospel."He accused them of being religious turncoats. He did so to impress them...
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Almost all Christians believed in the Pauline authorship of Ephesians until the nineteenth century when destructive biblical criticism gained influence (cf. 1:1; 3:1). The critics built a case against Pauline authorship from ...
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Paul's frequent references to the church as a mystery, previously unknown but now revealed, identify the apostle's main purpose in writing as having been the exposition of the mystery of the church (1:9; 3:3-4, 9; 5:32; 6:19)...
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The Book of Ephesians enables us to view God's creation from an alpine altitude. When we study this book, it is as though we have climbed a high mountain peak because the book gives us that kind of perspective on what God has...
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I. Salutation 1:1-2II. The Christian's calling 1:3-3:21A. Individual calling 1:3-2:101. The purpose: glory 1:3-142. The means: knowledge 1:15-233. The motive: grace 2:1-10B. Corporate calling 2:11-3:191. Present unity 2:11-22...
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Christians should bless or praise (Gr. eulogetos, speak well of) God the Father for bestowing these blessings. Paul was thinking of God as both the Father of believers (v. 2) and the Father of His Son (v. 3). God has already ...
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As was his custom, Paul first commended his readers for what they were doing well. Then he told them what his prayer requests for them were.1:15 In view of their spiritual blessings, Paul felt constrained to pray for his orig...
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The wrath of God on the unbeliever (v. 3) contrasts with the grace of God on the believer (vv. 5, 7, 8). God's grace toward some unbelievers gives them life (vv. 4-5), raises them up (v. 6), and seats them in heavenly realms ...
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Paul began to pray for his readers again (cf. vv. 1, 14), but he interrupted himself to tell them more about the church. What he said in this section gives background information concerning the church as a mystery.3:1 "For th...
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Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. 1-3).
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Paul began this section with a basic admonition (vv. 15-21). Then he applied this instruction to various groups of Christians (5:22-6:9).5:15 The word order and usage in the Greek text suggest that "careful"modifies "walk"rat...
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The next basic human relationship that needs affecting by the filling of the Spirit (5:15-21) is that of children and parents.6:1 Children express their submission by obeying their parents (plural). "In the Lord"modifies "obe...
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The third group that Paul addressed was slaves and masters (cf. 1 Cor. 7:17-24). Most slaves served in the home in Paul's day so this section fits in well with what precedes about other household relationships. Some students ...
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Masters should seek to please the Lord in their dealings with their slaves even as slaves should try to please Christ as they serve their masters. They should not threaten because our heavenly Master does not threaten us. Thr...
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That this section is distinct from the five that precede it is evident from two facts. Paul introduced it differently, and the emphasis in it is on God's resources. Earlier Paul urged the strengthening and growth of the body ...
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Paul's anticipation of his defense before Nero brought him back to the present in his thinking. His exposition of the mystery of the church to his readers had ended. He had also explained their proper conduct in view of their...
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The first sub-section (1:27-30) begins with a topic sentence that expresses Paul's desire for the Philippians. Then he proceeded to explain and to illustrate what constitutes a worthy walk (2:1-4:9)."With this section we come...
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Paul next set forth certain principles to guide his readers in their most important interpersonal relationships. He did this to enable them to understand what behavior is consistent with union with Christ in these relationshi...
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4:7-8 Paul sent Tychicus with this letter for two primary purposes. He wanted to provide more information about himself and his present ministry than he felt led to record in this letter. He also wanted to encourage the Colos...
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In view of the imminency of Christ's return Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to be ready to prepare them to meet the Lord at any time."The former [paragraph, i.e., 4:13-18] offered instruction concerning the dead in Christ; th...
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The Ephesian church already had elders long before Paul wrote this letter (Acts 20:17-35)."If our identification of the false teachers as elders is correct, then Paul's reason for this set of instructions is that Timothy must...
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As he had done previously (e.g., 5:1-2) Paul urged the adoption of proper attitudes toward others that would normally make it easier to produce proper actions. Christian slaves were to "regard"their masters as worthy of all h...
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4:9-10 Paul urged Timothy to join him in Rome soon. He did not expect to live much longer (cf. v. 6)."The constitutional method of inflicting capital punishment on a Roman citizen was by the lictor's axe. The criminal was tie...
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The writer now focused on the issue of sacrifice."The argument moves a stage further as the author turns specifically to what Christ has done. The sacrifices of the old covenant were ineffectual. But in strong contrast Christ...
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James came right to the point; we know exactly what his concern was. Personal favoritism is hardly a glorious characteristic, and it is inconsistent for a Christian who worships the glorious Lord Jesus Christ to practice it (...
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This section of the letter clarifies what it means to function obediently as God's people in a hostile world. It contains one of the tables of household duties in the New Testament (2:13-3:7; cf. Eph. 5:21-6:9; Col. 3:18-4:1)...
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Peter proceeded to address the situation of Christians working under the authority of others."The unusual fact, unnoticed by most Bible readers, is that he [Peter], along with Paul (1 Cor. 7:21; Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25; 1 Ti...
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v. 20 The contrast Jude introduced with "But"distinguishes Jude's readers from the false teachers. Since we are God's temples under attack by hostile enemy forces, we need to build ourselves up, to strengthen ourselves spirit...
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John turned to see the person who had given him his commission. These verses describe what he saw.1:12 When John turned to see the person who spoke to him he saw a majestic figure clothed in a long robe standing among seven l...
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9:7 John proceeded to describe the creatures he saw from head to tail. Some interpreters view these beings as natural locusts while others believe they represent an army of men. Locusts resemble horses when viewed with magnif...
Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)
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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.'--Eph. 6:13.THE military metaphor of which this verse is the beginning was obviously deeply imprinted on ...
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Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth.'--Eph. 6:14. (R.V.).THE general exhortation here points to the habitual attitude of the Christian soldier. However many conflicts he may have waged, he is still to be eve...
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Having put on the breastplate of righteousness'--Eph. 6:14.THERE can be no doubt that in this whole context the Apostle has in mind the great passage in Isaiah 59. where the prophet, in a figure of extreme boldness, describes...
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Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.'--Eph. 6:15.PAUL drew the first draft of this picture of the Christian armour in his first letter. It is a finished picture here. One can fancy that the Roman soldie...
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Above all, taking the shield of faith, whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.'--Eph. 6:16.THERE were two kinds of shields in use in ancient warfare--one smaller, carried upon the arm, and which ...
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Take the helmet of salvation.'--Eph. 6:17.WE may, perhaps, trace a certain progress in the enumeration of the various pieces of the Christian armour in this context. Roughly speaking, they are in three divisions. There are fi...
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The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.'--Eph. 6:17.WE reach here the last and only offensive weapon in the panoply. The of' here does not indicate apposition, as in the shield of faith,' or the helmet of salvation...
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Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith.'--Eph. 6:23.THE numerous personal greetings usually found at the close of Paul's letters are entirely absent from this Epistle. All which we have in their place is this entirely ...
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Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.' Eph. 6:24.IN turning to the great words which I have read as a text, I ask you to mark their width and their simplicity. They are wide; they follow a very ...