Catholic Commentary on Ephesians 6

"Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:11)

Children, Parents, Servants

Paul continues his household code. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother, the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not people. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way and do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven and there is no favouritism with him. The Catechism draws from this passage the principle that all earthly authority is relative: every human master is himself a servant, accountable to the one Lord in heaven (CCC 1900).

The Armour of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Pray for all the Lord's people and for Paul himself, that words may be given him so that he will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.

The Catechism identifies the armour of God as the equipment of the spiritual life: each piece corresponds to a virtue or gift that the Christian receives and actively uses in the ongoing battle against evil (CCC 2516).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the battle is not against flesh and blood. The people who irritate, oppose, or harm you are not your true enemy. The powers behind human disorder are the real enemy, and they are fought with the weapons of the Spirit, not the weapons of the world. Put on the armour daily. Begin with truth: let your inner life be transparent before God. Add righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word. Then pray. The battle belongs to the Lord, but he has equipped you to stand.

Prayer

Lord God, give us strength in your mighty power. Help us put on the full armour of God: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, your word. Let us stand firm against every scheme of the enemy, praying in the Spirit on all occasions for all the Lord's people. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

6
Children and Parents
(Colossians 3:18–21)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”* 6:3 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
 
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Serving with Honor
(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
 
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
 
9 And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
The Full Armor of God
 
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
 
13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
 
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
 
21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
 
23 Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

*6:3 6:3 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16

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