v1-3: Children are addressed directly; they too can obey God's commands; the word is relevant to them. Obedience is first the right thing to do. Second, there is a reward, that there is blessing. Although Paul is no legalist, he acknowledges the pattern of the law of God.

v4: Fathers have a responsibility to their children; avoid inconsistency and harshness. Love includes obedience, respect and discipline. We are to "bring up" our children in a particular way; this means from birth. We do not wait years before teaching them the ways of Christ.

• Teach children the ways of the Lord; Ex 12.25-27; Deut 6.7-8.
• Pray for children; Job 1.5.
• Train children; Prov 22.6
• The link between love and discipline; Prov 3.12; Heb 12.5-6.

Barack Obama, then President of the USA, spoke in a Chicago church on Father’s Day, 2008: ‘If we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that what too many fathers are is missing – missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it. And the foundations of our community are weaker because of it.’ Mark Stibbe comments; ‘the consequences for our children is toxic.’

Note that throughout this section, Jesus Christ is described as Lord, as Christ, as Master; this emphasises His authority over us, and our accountability to Him.

v5: The slave - master relationship (or employee - employer, in modern culture). We accept that many Christians are in such a relationship, and there is a proper attitude to maintain.

See 1 Cor 7.20-22; we can be faithful in our calling, serving as to the Lord. Even where the employer is an unbeliever, the command remains.

v6-7: We are commanded to diligent service; obedient; with fear and trembling, showing respect; in sincerity of heart, showing genuine willingness; doing the will of God from the heart; with good will, without grumbling. The standard is high, but our godly attitude will have an impact upon others. Scripture emphasises our responsibilities rather than our rights.

v8: Our reward is from God. He rewards our attitudes and our deeds. Even if others do not reward us fairly, God will.

v9: Employers (masters) are responsible for their employees, and must show proper respect. Again, each one is accountable before God.

v10: the Church at Ephesus was born in an atmosphere of spiritual conflict (Acts 19); there was the practice of magic, and the idolatrous worship of Diana. Initially there were dramatic victories, as the power of God was manifested. But it is important that victories continue.

Our resources; the strength of the Lord, the power of His might. The same power which raised Christ from the dead (v.19-20), which is at work in us, and is available to us.

v11: The full armour; we need to be fully and properly equipped. The armour was provided for the soldier to fight in the army; the emphasis here is on corporate warfare; here is strength to stand together. The expectation is that we will stand and not fall.

The Scriptures declare that the devil is real; the master strategist opposing the Church of Jesus Christ. Here we read of the devil's schemes;

• he makes bad appear good;
• he makes error to be accepted as truth;
• he encourages compromise with false religion;
• he encourages complacency with regard to sins;
• he does not play fair.

The devil is a real 'person'; Satan, the adversary (Job 1.6); the accuser of the brethren (Rom 12.10); the roaring devouring lion (1 Pet 5.8); the murderer and liar (John 8.44). Yet he is not omniscient, omnipresent, nor omnipotent; Jesus Christ is stronger. Paul writes not to develop of terror of the enemy, but to develop our faith in Christ.

v12: The struggle; the word used describes a wrestler in one-to-one combat. There is thus an individual responsibility, and the necessity of personal combat. The enemies are ranged against us; rulers, authorities, angelic beings, spirit powers, etc. All these inhabit the heavenly places, the spiritual realm, although doubtless there will be physical manifestations. Paul teaches here about unseen reality. We struggle "against"; here is mutual antagonism; no truce or compromise may be entered into.

Whilst Paul names the various beings arrayed against us, the main burden is not identification but defence; Paul wants to prepare troops for battle, not make them experts about the enemy.

v13: Having described the enemy army, we are encouraged to take up the full armour of God. We cannot stand alone, we must avail ourselves of God's provision for us.

This is an evil day, a day of spiritual conflict. God will give us grace to stand. This environment will not change before Christ returns. We must stand in battle, and, when battle is done, still to be standing, ie: victorious. To stand is our active response to the battle; it implies the willing volunteer, not a ‘pressed man.’ We identify with God, and His truth, and His people.

v14: Paul describes the full armour; this is something spiritual (2 Cor 10.4). Doubtless, in prison, Paul would have studied the items of armour worn by Roman soldiers.

The soldier in camp, "having" we have already put these on; they represent our every day walk with Christ.

The belt of truth buckled around your waist; holding everything together. This is the truth and reality of Christ, and our loyalty to Him. Since He is true we must be true to Him.

The breastplate of righteousness in place; God's righteousness, protecting against temptation and accusation; a life of integrity and a righteous character, see 2 Pet 1.5, virtue and goodness.

v15: The gospel of peace on our feet; enjoying peace with God; this is our constant experience, making us ready for everything. We are to be an everyday witness to God.

v16: Entering the battle, we take the shield of faith; the absolute belief in what God has said, and a deliberate commitment to obey Him. Here is the promise of effectiveness, for all the fiery darts of the wicked one may be quenched.

'Although Satan casts his fiery darts at us, yet they do not enter into our souls so as to wound us; the poison of them is not applied to us.' (John Calvin, Sermon on Job 14..13-15). The shield of faith is truly a protection to our souls.

For the Roman solider, the basis of Paul's description here, the shield is only defensive in the sense that it is part of the protection for the group of soldiers advancing. This section implies the Church is on the advance 'against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places' (v12)..

v17: The helmet of salvation, protecting the head; assurance and confidence in what God has said, providing protection for the mind, the centre of decision making.

The sword of the Spirit, the word of God; such as the Lord Himself used in the wilderness, to answer temptation, and to oppose attacks; for the Lord this was effective, and brought victory; it can be effective in bringing victory for us too.

v18: Pray with all prayer and requests in the Spirit. This refers to constant communication with God, rather than specific periods of prayer. Prayer in the Spirit leaves mere human thinking and desires; we enjoy the leading of the Spirit in our prayers, and enjoying His resources in our lives.

Be alert, watchful, Prov 4.23-27; be careful how we live; this is necessary for effective prayer.

Continue in prayer with all perseverance, for the battle continues. We are never 'off duty', for we remain in the battle.

v19-20: Pray for me; the humble request. Paul requests of others, especially that he might fulfil his calling, to boldly declare the gospel. Even in prison, Paul's desire was to speak of Christ.

v21: Tychicus, taking the letter to Ephesus. He is beloved and faithful.

v23-24: Paul's final prayer for the Ephesian Christians; asking for peace, faith, and grace, compare 1.2.