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The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians - Chapter 6
Revised 2013
- 1 Obedience is required as evidence of honour, but only so far as is consistent with will of God.
- 5 Paul could not imagine a world without slavery, just as we could not imagine a world without electricity.
- 7 However harsh our conditions of service, we should see it as being done as if to the Lord, who will recognise it.
- 9 But Paul does see mutual responsibilities, which is new. Masters have duties towards their servants/slaves. All are equal before God. With fading expectation of second coming, motivation now more in terms of what is desirable for an ongoing peaceful community.
- 10 Much of letter has been about doctrinal basis of behaviour: the war has been won by Christ. But individuals still have to appropriate this victory for themselves by winning their own battles against evil.
- 11 Be aware we are part of cosmic war, not just our own individual skirmishes.
- 12 Wrestling against men of flesh & blood is waste of time and resources, and can divert us from real enemy.
- 13 Almost all armour Paul describes is defensive: truth, justice (ie God’s), gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and - most important - prayer.
- 14 The gospel works because it is true, not true because it works!
- 20 Paul’s personal situation reminds hearers of this paradox: though we have been freed by Christ, we are still subject to the evils of the world; we are under the sway of evil, yet have been freed by Christ.
- 21 Same words as in Col. Suggests letter may have taken by Tychicus around the Christian communities of Lychus valley, including Colossae & Laodicea.