6:1 CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. |
6:2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise-- |
6:3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. |
6:4 Fathers, do not irritate {and} provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training {and} discipline and the counsel {and} admonition of the Lord. |
6:5 Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive {and} with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]-- |
6:6 Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily {and} with your whole soul; |
6:7 Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men, |
6:8 Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free. |
6:9 You masters, act on the same [principle] toward them and give up threatening {and} using violent {and} abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him. |
6:10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. |
6:11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies {and} the deceits of the devil. |
6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. |
6:13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist {and} stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. |
6:14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity {and} of moral rectitude {and} right standing with God, |
6:15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. |
6:16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. |
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. |
6:18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose {and} perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). |
6:19 And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), |
6:20 For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly {and} courageously, as I ought to do. |
6:21 Now that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord [and His service], will tell you everything. |
6:22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may console {and} cheer {and} encourage {and} strengthen your hearts. |
6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). |
6:24 Grace (God's undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying {and} incorruptible [love]. {Amen (so let it be).} |