The big picture
Ephesians 6 opens in verse 1 with “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 12 with “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…”, and closes in verse 24 with “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include Lord, Christ, able, stand, affairs. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Ephesians · King James Version · 24Ephesians 6:1-8
1–8: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1–8 opens with “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” and reaches “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A believer preparing each piece of the armor metaphor for truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Scripture, and prayer, with particular weight carried by Lord, children, Christ.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Naming Children keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, live, long. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Ephesians 6:1-8
King James Version1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Ephesians 6:9-16
9–16: And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening…
Ephesians 6:9–16 opens with “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master…” and reaches “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A believer preparing each piece of the armor metaphor for truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Scripture, and prayer, with particular weight carried by able, stand, armour.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven…” Naming Master keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Naming Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ephesians 6:9-16
King James Version9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:17-24
17–24: Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the…
Ephesians 6:17–24 opens with “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” and reaches “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A believer preparing each piece of the armor metaphor for truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Scripture, and prayer, with particular weight carried by Lord, affairs, boldly.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” The verse names God and Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include boldly, gospel, known. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.
Ephesians 6:17-24
King James Version17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Ephesians 6:1 begins with “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
Where the chapter turns
Ephesians 6:21 forms a natural hinge: “But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:”
The final note
Ephesians 6:24 leaves the reader with “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Lord, Christ, able, stand, affairs, armour help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.