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Ephesians 6:1-3 The relative duties of children,

Ephesians 6:4 and parents,

Ephesians 6:5-8 of servants,

Ephesians 6:9 and masters.

Ephesians 6:10-17 Paul exhorteth the brethren to resist spiritual

enemies by putting on the whole armour of God,

Ephesians 6:18-20 and by perseverance in prayer, which he requireth for

all saints, and particularly for himself, that he

might preach the gospel with due boldness.

Ephesians 6:21,22 He commendeth Tychicus,

Ephesians 6:23,24 and concludeth with good wishes to all sincere Christians.

Obey your parents; with inward reverence and promptness, as well as in the outward act.

In the Lord; either, because the Lord commands it; or, in all things agreeable to his will: see Ephesians 5:21 Acts 5:29.

For this is right, or just, every way so, by the law of nature, of nations, and of God.

i.e. A special promise annexed to the particular duty commanded. There being promises added to only two commandments, viz. the second and this fifth; that which is annexed to the second commandment is a general one, and which relates to the whole law, but this a special one, and which respects this commandment in particular.

That thou mayest live long and happily. This promise is still fulfilled to believers, either in the thing itself here promised, or in a better way, God’s giving them eternal life.

Provoke not your children to wrath; viz. by unreasonable severity, moroseness, unrighteous commands, &c.

But bring them up in the nurture; or correction, as the word signifies, Hebrews 12:6-8.

And admonition; this denotes the end of the former; instruction in their duty must be, as well as correction to drive them to it.

Of the Lord; the Lord Jesus Christ; and so it is either that admonition which is commanded by him, or whereby they are brought to be acquainted with him.

Servants; these servants were generally slaves: Christian liberty doth not take away civil servitude.

Be obedient to them that are your masters; whether good or bad, as 1 Peter 2:18, is expressly said.

According to the flesh; as to your outward state, not as to your souls and consciences.

With fear and trembling; either with reverence and fear of offending them, and being punished by them, see Romans 13:4; or rather, with humility, as appears by Psalm 2:11 1 Corinthians 2:3 2 Corinthians 7:15 Philippians 2:12: compare Romans 11:20.

In singleness of your heart; sincerity, and without guile.

As unto Christ, who hath commanded this obedience, and whom ye obey in yielding it to your masters.

Not with eyeservice; not merely having respect to your masters’ presence, and looking upon you in your work.

As men-pleasers; such as make it their only business to please their masters, right or wrong, and ingratiate themselves with them, though by offending God.

But as the servants of Christ; as becomes the servants of Christ, or as those that are the servants of Christ, and seek to please him.

Doing the will of God; performing obedience to your masters not barely as their will, but God’s will, who requires it, as Ephesians 6:5.

With good will doing service; not grudgingly or as of constraint, but freely and cheerfully.

As to the Lord, and not to men; not only regarding men your masters, but Christ your great Master. That which is done for the worst masters, and in the hardest things, is service done to Christ, when out of love to him servants bear their masters’ folly or cruelty.

Whatsoever good thing any man doeth; viz. as the servant of Christ and as unto the Lord.

The same shall he receive of the Lord; the reward of the same, by a metonymy.

Whether he be bond or free: Christ regards not those differences of men at the present, nor will in the day of judgment, 1 Corinthians 7:22 12:13 Galatians 3:28 Colossians 3:11.