Ephesians 6:1-12
Paul loves the immature believers in Christ as he loves the mature ones. Now he has a message for children. Children have a problem from birth, as do we all. We all have inherited a sinful nature and our carnal heart by its very nature "is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). Thus we are not to be surprised that even little children naturally have a mind that is in opposition to their parents.
Their relationship to their parents is in miniature a replica of their natural hostile relationship to God which they will consciously understand as they grow up. As little children they need the reconciling ministry of the gospel of the grace of God. It is manifested through the love of the parents, whose message the child "receives" (note that word!) long before he can understand the gospel in words.
Assuming that a child's physical needs are being well met, if it is a sweet and lovable child, that probably means he is already "receiving the reconciliation" (see Rom. 5:11). The conflict between the love of self and righteousness has begun already, though in infantile dimensions; the ministry of parental love is already "reconciling" in its nature.
The goodness of the child is not innate goodness—no one has any; in ways suited to the child it is already the gift of salvation "in Christ," Blessed is the parent who understands what is going on; the message of Ephesians is already bearing fruit!
Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth!"
Paul took this not from, the familiar "Ten Commandments" of Exodus 20 but from Deuteronomy 5:16.
Let's face the honest truth: some parents are very difficult for any child to "honor." Often even the more upright parents are so rigidly legalistic in their supposed righteousness that they are a roadblock to the child's harmonious spiritual development. Still, there is the divine commandment to "obey your parents": it must be obeyed. But how?
Thank God, the Giver Himself of the commandment became a Child, and as such He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without [the] sin" of dishonoring His parents (cf. Heb. 4:15). But here's a shocking question: as a Child, was Jesus tempted to dishonor His parents? Didn't He have as His mother the most wonderful woman in the world? (One great church says Mary was "immaculately conceived" in the womb of her mother—which the Bible does not teach.)
Mary confessed her need of a Savior, just as we all must confess our need of One (Luke 1:46,47). She loved her Child Jesus, no question about that; but often a mother can love her child but at the same time be tempted to be exasperated at him/her (and in our experience be more than tempted!). We have a glimpse of Mary's temptability that way in the story of her encounter with her Son in the Temple when He was only 12 (2:43-50).
On the way home from Passover, she frankly forgot about Him during a day's travel. Meanwhile, He was staying behind to witness to the nation's leaders, the right thing for Him to do.
Her exasperation with Him is evident in her words, "Son, why have You done this to us?" You can feel the thunder and lightning in her words, "Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."
He responded to her honestly, confronting her with the truth, but He did not sin by dishonoring her. She knew well who His true Father was: He said, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Yes, children, know that Jesus was tempted then to dishonor Joseph and Mary! Yes, He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Now, you join Mary in confessing that you need that same Savior to save you from yourself, and to give you grace to honor your parents, no matter how ornery they may seem to be.
Children, only by the grace of that Savior can you obey this commandment to "honor your father and your mother," because no one in the world has perfect parents. Your sinful nature you inherited from our father Adam tempts you to disobey this commandment. But through the faith of Jesus you can and you will be victorious over temptation!
Jesus makes His promise to children: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:20). Yes, there will be children sitting on that "throne"!
Ephesians 6:4
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord"
Fathers are busy men, harried by constant pressures for the care of the family. They must provide for the physical needs of the children whom they have brought into the world; but impatience can prompt them to expect too much of the children and "provoke" them into childish sin.
But it's still sin; and in the books of heaven is it not written against the father's name? Father needs that same Savior; and he has Him for his Savior already! Now it's time to remember. Let him thank the Savior more earnestly and heartily for His grace. There is precedent in the Bible for fathers taking the sin of their children upon themselves in a corporate sense, illustrating the God-given sense of responsibility that rests upon fathers (see Job 1:5). In these last days especially, the Lord will give special help to needy fathers because of His promise to send us "Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" (see Mai. 4:5, 6). Some may call this a psychological ministry, but it is a miracle of divine grace that is so desperately needed now.
Ephesians 6:5-8
"Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free."
The original word translated "servants" is slaves. This makes Paul's letter to the Ephesians seem astonishing to us. Didn't he know that slavery is morally reprehensible in the sight of God? Why did the apostle of Christ apparently, on the surface, appear to support it?
- Paul being the firebrand that he was, could have stirred up the greatest slave rebellion known in ancient history since the time of Spartacus (71 B.C.), But if he had done so, his fate would have been the same, for God did not send him to free the slaves politically or economically. The most precious gospel that Paul proclaimed gave practical-living relief to slaves, lightening their burdens, and making life tolerable for them "in Christ."
- In a very real sense, Christ came to bring life "more abundantly" to the many slaves of the ancient world (John 10:10). Not only is God concerned for the suffering of multitudes today, He was concerned for those slaves anciently!
- Paul's brilliant idea of corporate identity was the secret of their finding relief. The idea was simplicity itself, but powerfully effective: they were now to regard themselves not as slaves any longer to their cruel masters but as slaves to Christ! Amazing! But that's what Paul says. The apostle has found a secret that poor Spartacus never dreamed of.
If they would believe (have faith in and trust) the truths of this letter to the Ephesians chapter one, they would see themselves in a new light. The great controversy between Christ and Satan was raging in the hearts of their cruel masters, indeed; but as the believing slave welcomed his new identity "in Christ," the fruit was seen in his life. The unbelieving master was affected. Inevitably, he saw himself also in a new light—he couldn't help but have a deep conviction that in being cruel to his Christian slave, he was in fact treating God that way, for he saw God revealed in the believing slave, Paul had discovered the best advice ever given to any slaves!
Paul's critics today regard him as a cruel wimp, advising slaves to "be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh." Just change "the flesh" to "Christ," and they are in a new world of relative freedom. If we today are willing to be "men-pleasers" in rendering "eye-service" to our employers or superiors in business or even in the church, we are subjecting ourselves to the status of mere "slaves" in God's sight.
It is an impossibility to be a "men-pleaser" and to serve Christ at the same time! Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a clarion call to assert our "liberty wherewith Christ has made us free" (Gal. 5:1).
When the slave who has believed Paul's message lies down to rest at night, before he drifts off to sleep he can anticipate the reward his new-found Master Jesus will give him. He has actually served the Lord in his slavery "in the flesh." Tremendous idea, Paul!
Ephesians 6:9
"And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."
Paul's gospel found lodging in the hearts of slave masters who already had their slaves. The Roman system legitimized it. The news that there was a slave-master who practiced the love (agape) of Christ toward his slaves, traveled faster than the Internet could send it now. Paul, thank you! Your message has lifted great burdens from the hearts of many in your ancient world!
Ephesians 6:10-12
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Imagine the courage that this brought to the hearts of the slaves! The little platform of their own private battles of soul has been glorified into a platform in the great cosmic struggle between Christ and Satan. They have now become players in this grand war of the ages; they have been entrusted with a glorious responsibility and destiny. They are now somebodies!
The same Spirit that actuated Christ now actuates them. They sense a close intimacy with Him. A strange new peace now floods their hearts. It's not the "self-esteem" promoted by the mega-church pastors; it's healthy biblical self-respect.
In chapter 12 we explore the "whole armor of God" that Paul says we are to "put on."