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Eph 5:1–4
“Children, obey your parents,” and so forth. “Obey, O children, your parents in the Lord.” He teaches what the duty of children is toward their parents, and likewise of servants toward their masters: namely, in all things which are entrusted to them by command and which do not conflict with piety. “For this is just.” On the other hand, it is written: “Honor your father”—he is the head of the household—and indeed, “and your mother,” from whom you have sprung; pursue her with honor.
This commandment concerning the honoring of parents is the first with a promise; that is, it is the first of the second Tablet and is given to us with a special divine promise: “that it may be well with you and that you may live long upon the earth.” Indeed, children who obey and honor their parents, as divine law and will require, not only live long—as most often happens—but also enjoy prosperity. For to be long-lived without prosperity would be more a punishment than a reward.
Moreover, to honor parents and to obey them, not departing from their just will, is a great good. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,” that is, by unjust demands or by harsh words. For prudent humanity is often more powerful in restraining them than severity. “But bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.” That is, if it is necessary to rebuke and chastise them, imitate the piety and gentleness of the Lord Jesus, and observe what the Lord Himself has expressed by example. Certainly, he who, while correcting a wandering son in the Lord, calls him by the name of “devil,” corrects him in the devil rather than in the Lord.
Eph 5:5–9
“Servants, obey your earthly masters.” Obey your temporal masters, who rule over your external affairs or your body, “with fear and trembling,” that is, with lawful reverence. O servants, obey. This phrase “with fear and trembling” must not be interpreted as servile fear; for servile fear or dread is not approved by Paul even in slaves. Rather, let that reverence be in simplicity of heart, as to Christ: do not feign reverence with outward submission, but offer it from the heart, as you would to Christ the Lord, who looks upon the heart and cannot be deceived.
“Not serving to the eye,” that is, not displaying outward diligence without affection of heart in order to please human masters who look only at external action; “but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul.” In the person of your masters, strive to serve Christ and to please God, whose place they represent. “With good will serving, as to the Lord and not to men.” Does not a son readily obey his father? Thus also the servant, when he obeys, should look to God; let him not obey as though to a mere man, but let him regard God, whose person that man bears. In this way he obeys not a master but a Father.
“Knowing that whatever good each one does, he shall receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” They shall be equal in reward if they are equal in obedience. “And you, masters, do the same things to them,” acting proportionately, readily remitting threats which perhaps you have uttered from sudden or indiscreet anger. Slaves are more easily won to obedience by love than by threats. “Knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with God.” Though you are unequal in fortune, by nature you were born equal; and before the true Lord God, who shows no favoritism, there will be no regard for master or slave, but each will be rewarded or punished according to his merits.
Eph 5:10–20
“Finally, brethren.” What remains, brethren, I ask you earnestly: give diligent attention, that you may be strengthened and made powerful in the Lord, that is, by His mighty strength, by which you may easily enter upon the contest that is about to arise.
“Put on the armor of God”—in Greek, the whole equipment of arms supplied by God—“that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, that is, against men whose powers are fragile, but against principalities and powers—against the most cruel demons who are called principalities and powers. Nor should it surprise you that many have fallen even from the angelic orders, since from the first order the chief of all, Lucifer, fell. Let not him who seems to hold the summit of virtues trust in himself; for heavenly virtues fall into the abyss.
“Against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places,” that is, against demons who rule over sinful men in darkness, and against the most wicked spirits dwelling in the air. It is the common opinion of the Fathers that this lower air is filled with demons, and that in it they stir up storms, whirlwinds, and tempests, by which they often harm men.
He does not say “against spiritual wickednesses,” but “against spiritual wickedness,” that is, against the spiritual character of wickedness. For the most wicked men are accustomed to commit crimes under a spiritual pretext. They say, “This pertains to the service of God; this concerns the spiritual good of the commonwealth,” yet they aim only at their own temporal advantage or revenge. Thus Herod killed John under the pretext of not violating his oath. Against such men it is necessary to be protected with the whole armor of God. Hence Paul says, “Put on the armor of God against spiritual wickedness.”
Therefore the Apostle repeats: “Take up the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day,” that is, in the aforesaid most dangerous contest, and having done all, to stand firm against all the assaults of every enemy.
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” Let truth be for you a belt that binds and strengthens your sides. “And having on the breastplate of righteousness”: let righteous works be your breastplate, protecting your chest on every side. Spiritual wickedness may afflict, but if truth and justice are present, it will not be able to overcome a man.
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.” Let your readiness to announce and to carry to others the Gospel of heavenly peace be your military sandals. “In all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” As if he said: let your shield be solid, firm faith, formed by hope and charity. With such a shield you will safely receive and even extinguish all the burning missiles of your enemies, however inflamed with malice they may be.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Let the hoped-for salvation of your soul be your helmet. For what temptations will he not overcome who sets before his mind the happiness of eternal salvation promised to the one who conquers? Finally, let the spiritual sword be the word of God, by which you may provoke, strike down, and slay even the enemies themselves.
“With all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and watching therein with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and for me, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, with confidence to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.”
It is not enough, as if he were saying, for a soldier to be equipped with these arms; he must also keep constant watch and be instructed by his leader, who provides for all necessary support. Therefore you too, by prayer and supplication—not only with expressed voice but with the whole affection of the spirit—ask from God whatever is necessary at all times, as continually as other duties allow. Prayer makes fruitful use of these spiritual arms with which we are equipped. Nor should prayer stop with yourselves, but extend to all Christians and to me, who, though bound in chains in prison, do not cease from the contest, wielding the sword of the word of God. For the word of God cannot be bound.
Eph 5:21–24
“But that you also may know my affairs and what I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you. I have sent him for this very purpose, that he may inform you of our affairs and comfort your hearts.” If Tychicus was sent to inform the brethren at Ephesus of Paul’s chains, how does he say that he sent him to comfort their hearts? Was it a consolation to the faithful at Ephesus to know that their father and teacher was suffering such terrible things? Yes, indeed. For the glory, delight, and consolation of Christ’s faithful is to endure tribulations for God. Therefore Paul, to console the brethren, sends one who will report to them that he himself is bound in chains for the truth.
“Peace be to the brethren, and charity with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption,” that is, with integrity, sincerity, and purity of love, like that of a most devoted bride. Amen.
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