Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1 s Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 t "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, u but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 v Slaves, 1 obey your earthly masters 2 with fear and trembling, w with a sincere heart, x as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as y people-pleasers, but as servants 3 of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 z knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, a whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, b and stop your threatening, knowing that c he who is both their Master 4 and yours is in heaven, and that d there is no partiality with him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, e be strong in the Lord and in f the strength of his might. 11 g Put on h the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against i the schemes of the devil. 12 For j we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against k the rulers, against the authorities, against l the cosmic powers over m this present darkness, against n the spiritual forces of evil o in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore p take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in q the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, r having fastened on the belt of truth, and s having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, t as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up u the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all v the flaming darts of w the evil one; 17 and take s the helmet of salvation, and x the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying y at all times z in the Spirit, a with all prayer and supplication. To that end b keep alert with all perseverance, making c supplication for all the saints, 19 and d also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth e boldly to proclaim f the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I g am an ambassador h in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21 i So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, j Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may k encourage your hearts.

23 l Peace be to the brothers, 5 and m love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who n love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:8
    Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
    Proverbs 6:20
    My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
    Proverbs 23:22
    Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 20:12
    Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 20:12
    Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 18:19
    For I have chosen him, that he may command his ...
    Deuteronomy 4:9
    Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, ...
    Deuteronomy 6:7
    You shall teach them diligently to your childre...
    Deuteronomy 11:19
    You shall teach them to your children, talking ...
    Psalms 78:4
    We will not hide them from their children, but ...
    Proverbs 19:18
    Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not ...
    Proverbs 22:6
    Train up a child in the way he should go; even ...
    Proverbs 29:17
    Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;...
    2 Timothy 3:15
    And how from childhood you have been acquainted...
  5. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:18
    Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
  6. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:3
    But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:22
    Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
  8. Cross References
    Galatians 1:10
    For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 62:12
    And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 3:28
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
    Colossians 3:11
    Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
  11. Cross References
    Leviticus 25:43
    You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
  12. Cross References
    John 13:13
    You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
    Job 31:13 - 15
    If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me.
  13. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:17
    For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 4:20
    No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.
    2 Timothy 2:1
    You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
    1 John 2:14
    I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:14
    Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
    Job 29:14
    I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.
    Romans 13:12
    The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
  17. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:13
    Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:14
    So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:25
    Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
  20. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
  21. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:2
    In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience -
  22. Cross References
    Luke 22:53
    When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
    Colossians 1:13
    He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
  23. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:10
    So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
  24. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
  25. Cross References
    1 Peter 4:1
    Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
  26. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:16
    Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
  27. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:13
    Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
    Isaiah 11:5
    Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
    Luke 12:35
    Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.
  28. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:17
    He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
    1 Thessalonians 5:8
    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
    Isaiah 61:10
    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord ; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
  29. Cross References
    Isaiah 52:7
    How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns.
    Romans 10:15
    And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!
    Exodus 12:11
    In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord 's Passover.
  30. Cross References
    1 John 5:4
    For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
  31. Cross References
    Psalms 120:4
    A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 13:19
    When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
  33. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:14
    Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
  34. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    Isaiah 49:2
    He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.
    Hosea 6:5
    Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
  35. Cross References
    Luke 18:1
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  36. Cross References
    Jude 1:20
    But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
    Romans 8:26
    Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
  37. Cross References
    Colossians 4:2 - 4
    Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
  38. Cross References
    Mark 13:33
    Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
  39. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:1
    First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
  40. Cross References
    Colossians 4:3
    At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison -
    1 Thessalonians 5:25
    Brothers, pray for us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:1
    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.
    Isaiah 50:4
    The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
  41. Cross References
    Acts 4:29
    And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.
  42. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:3
    How the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
  43. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:20
    Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  44. Cross References
    Acts 28:20
    For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.
  45. Cross References
    Colossians 4:7 - 9
    Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
  46. Cross References
    Acts 20:4
    Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
    2 Timothy 4:12
    Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
    Titus 3:12
    When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
  47. Cross References
    Colossians 2:2
    That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ.
  48. Cross References
    Galatians 6:16
    And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
    2 Thessalonians 3:16
    Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
    1 Peter 5:14
    Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
  49. Cross References
    Galatians 5:6
    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
    1 Thessalonians 5:8
    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
  50. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:22
    If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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