Paul is writing to , not
children are expected to parents (v.1)
Children, obey (hypakouo) your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right – Ephesians 6:1 (HCSB)
Obey: hypakouō – hearken, be obedient to, obey (OTESD)
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. – Proverbs1:8 (NIV)
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents – 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NIV)
children are expected to parents (vv.2-3)
HONOR (timao) YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY TURN OUT WELL (eu) FOR YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. – Ephesians 6:2-3 (NASB)
Honor: timao – to honor with reverent service, to treat with honor, manifest consideration toward (MCED)
Well: eu – to be well off, fare well, prosper (OTESD)
God promises to those that their parents
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. – Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)
Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 20:12 (Matthew 15:4, Matthew 19:19, Mark 7:10, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Ephesians 6:2)
(v.4) Look up: Pater Familias
And, ye fathers (Pater), provoke (exasperate) not your children to wrath (resentment CWSB): but bring them up (ektrepho) in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (v.4) (CWSB)
“Bring them up” refers to
Bring them up: ektrepho – to rear up to maturity (OTESD)
During the training years: provoke not—irritate not, by vexatious commands, unreasonable blame, and uncertain temper [ALFORD]. Colossians 3:21, “lest they be discouraged. (JF&B)
Instead
Nurture/Training: paideia – tutorage, i.e., education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction, instruction, nurture.
Instruction (NAS) Admonition (CWSB): nouthesía- is any word of encouragement or reproof which leads to correct behavior (CWSD)
Then and Now (vv.5-9)
(Jesus) THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO CAPTIVES, – Luke 4:18 (NASU)
(Paul) Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. – Colossians 3:11 (NIV)
Employees: Serve your bosses like (v.5)
Servants (duolos), be obedient to them that are your masters (kurios) according to the flesh, with fear and trembling (respect and fear NIV), in singleness of your heart (kardia), as unto Christ (Christos)
(v.5) (CWSB)
Work like I’m (v.7)
God will service (v.8)
Employers: Treat your employees like (v.9)
And masters (kurios), treat your slaves (duolos) the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master (kurios) and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. – Ephesians 6:9 (HCSB)