Ephesians 6

“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.

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“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.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of…” Naming Christ and Servants keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Naming Finally 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.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Naming Stand keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” The line’s distinctive content terms include feet, gospel, peace. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and…” Naming Praying keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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.

“For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.” The line’s distinctive content terms include affairs, comfort, hearts. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Naming Christ and Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” Naming Amen and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.