Submitting to one another in the fear of God (Eph. 5:21)

All who possess authority are also under authority, Matthew 8:8-10 Willingness to submit oneself grows out of humility and respect… To God, Heb. 12:28 To civil authority, 1 Pet. 2:14 (Rom. 13:1) To employer, Col. 3:22 To husband, Eph. 5:33 (22); 1 Pet. 3:2 To one another, 1 Pet. 5:5-6; Eph. 5:21 2

3

…in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1 4

Children: Obey your parents, Eph. 6:1 “Children (tekna) are those under the care, protection, guardianship, and governance of their parents.” (Caldwell, 285) Habitual and constant submission, cf. Eph. 5:21, 22, 24 “in all things”, Col. 3:20 Disobedience: Sin against God and parents, Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:2; cf. Deut. 21:

Children: Obey your parents, Eph. 6:1 “To hear under authority”; to obey, to submit to, Lk. 6:46-47; Rom. 10:16-17 This child is of such an age that he is under moral responsibility to the Lord and susceptible to persuasion based upon his accountability “The principle concern of v. 1…is the stability of the home based on orderly leadership while parents and children live together as a union of persons.” (Caldwell, 286) 6

Children: Obey your parents, Eph. 6:1 Stipulation and reason to obey parents 1)In the Lord: It is in accord with God’s will. The child is responsible to the Lord, so be faithful to God by obeying your parents, Acts 5:29 2)For this is right: Because the Lord said do it a.Natural consideration for parents calls for it b.“This is well pleasing to the Lord”, Col. 3:20 7

which is the first commandment with promise… Ephesians 6:2-3 8

Children: Honor parents, Eph. 6:2 (Exo. 20:12) “to estimate, fix the value” (Thayer) Regard them with honor, respect (Exo. 21:15, 17) Jesus’ commentary: Mark 7:9-13 Responsibility to care for and return to them physical care and support when aged A promise: Well being and security (Promised to Israel in Canaan, Exo. 20:12) First: A primary command (Lev. 19:1-3) 9

but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 10

Fathers: Do not be a provocateur, Eph. 6:4 In teaching them to obey you and God “To arouse to wrath, enrage, exasperate”; “to anger with irritation because of injustice or needless severity” (Caldwell, 293) Provocation leads to discouragement, Col. 3:21 Balance: Fairness, promptness and consistency Your children as blessings, not burdens, Psalm 127:3-5 11

Fathers: Bring them up (to maturity), Eph. 6:4 (Deut. 6:6-9; 32:46-47) - To rear up tenderly and carefully Training: Chastening, discipline (Heb. 12:5-11) “the whole training and education of children” 12

12

with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ Ephesians 6:5-8 13

Slaves: Be obedient, Eph. 6:5-8 -Bondman, man of servile condition With fear and trembling: Fear of God, 6:5 (5:21); Tit. 2:9-10; 1 Tim. 6:1-2 (with all fear, 1 Pet. 2:18) With sincerity of heart: Singleness, without pretense (not with eye service, to please men) Bondservant of Christ: Obey from heart, 6:6 With goodwill (as to Lord), 6:7 (Col. 3:23-24) The Lord will recompense good and evil, 6:8 14

knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Ephesians 6:9 15

Masters: Give up threatening, Eph. 6:9 (He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding) -Menacing as a form of exerting power (1 Pet. 2:18) -Act in the fear of the Lord Be fair and just, Col. 4:1 The Master of both slaves and masters is in heaven and He will impartially judge both 16

The Son of God teaches children how to obey and honor their parents, Lk. 2:51; Jno. 8:29 Our heavenly Father teaches us how to be good parents, Heb. 12:5-6; 1 Tim. 5:8 Christ teaches servants how to serve, Luke 19:10 Christ teaches masters how to use authority, Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:8 16