Ephesians 6:1-9
This passage deals with the key theme of relationships. This passage is divided into four sections, addressing two types of relationships and the four people who are in these relationships. We should remember that this passage is still under the large theme of being filled with the Spirit back in 5:18. This is how Christians who are being transformed into the likeness of Christ ought to live.
The key concept is honor. What it takes to honor: giving respect, considering the needs of others, seeing the worth in other people. Christian honor involves loving others unconditionally.
1) Directions to Children
Eph 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
This is based on Exod 20:12
The Bible talks about how we can do this. Proverbs 1:8 is a good example: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Why obey parents?
a) Phrase: “In the Lord”. To obey your parents is to obey the Lord. To obey your parents helps us know how to submit to the Lord.
b) It is a commandment. God’s laws reflect God’s character and his will for us.
c) There is a promise that goes with it.
The key to a long and fulfilling life is to listen to our parents. The counsel of parents can help us avoid much heartache . Many problems of society today are due to poor parenting and role models. If children are rebellious in the home, they will probably be rebellious in society.
d) There is a lot we can learn from our parents.
Mark Twain is purported to have said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in 7 years.”
Is there a time when we do not need to honor our parents any more? Does this command stop at age 18? Honor takes on different forms as people grow older.
2) Directions to Parents
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
“Exasperate” means to provoke to anger. Parents have the greatest opportunity for influence upon the next generation. Ancient Israel failed at this critical point (see Judges 2:10).
God has given us the responsibility of raising our children to love and serve him.
Problems today:
a) Poor role models in the media
Fatherhood is especially mocked. How people view their father is often how they view God. Children learn to honor, respect, and obey their parents when they see Mom and Dad honoring one another
b) Parenting is under attack.
Families are falling apart. Single family households in the United States:
| Non-Hispanic White | 24% | |
| Black or African American | 66% | |
| American Indian | 52% | |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 16% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 41% | |
| Total | 34% |
There are many challenges of being a single parent. Single parents need “extra grace”.
c) Training up in the Lord
Child will watch how we act and will grow up modeling us. We must rely on God for our help. Find good role models and mentors to help you know how to be a good parent.
An experienced parent said, “Before I got married, I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories!”
3) Directions to Slaves
6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
The Roman Empire had up to 30% slaves. Slaves worked in menial jobs, hard labor, to educated and relatively nice conditions. A lot depended on the master.
a) Work is part of God’s plan for us.
Genesis 2:15: 15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Ephesians 2:10 We were created to do good things, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
b) Modern Analogy: employer/employee
a) Christians ought to be model workers. Do people see a difference in your work performance, attitude? I will admit that it is hard to be enthusiastic about some jobs. I have had some jobs that were not fun, but quite menial.
b) Opportunity for witness in our jobs:
1 Timothy 6:1-2: All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.
c) Work as if you were working for Christ
Colossians 3:23-24: 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
4) Directions to Masters
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Masters are to treat slaves as Christian brothers and sisters. All have the same heavenly Master.
a) The bond of love as Christian brothers and sisters is greater than any economic connection.
b) Position does not mean privilege before God.
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