Duties of children and servants. The Christian's armour.
6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is just.
6:2. Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment
with a promise:
6:3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long lived upon
earth.
6:4. And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but bring
them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.
6:5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to
Christ.
6:6. Not serving to the eye, as it were pleasing men: but, as the
servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
6:7. With a good will serving, as to the Lord, and not to men.
6:8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man shall do, the same
shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
6:9. And you, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing
threatenings: knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven.
And there is no respect of persons with him.
6:10. Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might
of his power.
6:11. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand
against the deceits of the devil.
6:12. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against
principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this
darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.
High places, or heavenly places. . .That is to say, in the air, the
lowest of the celestial regions; in which God permits these wicked
spirits or fallen angels to wander.
6:13. Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able
to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect.
6:14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and
having on the breastplate of justice:
6:15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
6:16. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be
able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.
6:17. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
Spirit (which is the word of God).
6:18. By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the
spirit: and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for
all the saints:
6:19. And for me, that speech may be given me, that I may open my mouth
with confidence, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
6:20. For which I am an ambassador in a chain: so that therein I may be
bold to speak according as I ought.
6:21. But that you also may know the things that concern me and what I
am doing, Tychicus, my dearest brother and faithful minister in the
Lord, will make known to you all things:
6:22. Whom I have sent to you for this same purpose: that you may know
the things concerning us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
6:23. Peace be to the brethren and charity with faith, from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
6:24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
incorruption. Amen.
In incorruption. . .That is, with a pure and perfect love.