LESSON TWENTY-ONE: 5:27-33

“The Expectations of The Bride”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET 

I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
V. CHAPTER 5 - The Church As The Bride Of Christ
    A. The Spiritual Engagement of the Bride 5:1-17
    B. The Spiritual Experiences of the Bride 5:18-26
    C. The Spiritual Expectations of the Bride 5:27-33
        1. Expectation of Her Glory 5:27
        2. Expectation in Her Groom 5:28-31
        3. Expectation of Her Greatness 5:32-33

THE COMMENTARY

In the last lesson we broke down the last third of Chapter 5 into three different items – The Bride’s Glory, Her Groom, and her Greatness. First, the Bride’s Glory taught us to remember that the body of Christ (The Church Universal) has been purchased through the Blood of Jesus (The Bride’s Glory) and that has made it free from the pain, suffering, of death and the wrath of God. Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice as the Lamb of God – for all who would believe – has created a body of believing people who are now, like the Lamb of God, “Glorious” in the eyes of God – regardless of our currently human situations and conditions. This also means that The Christ as the groom of the long awaited “Marriage of the Lamb,” finds His Bride (The Church Universal) not just wonderful or beautiful – but “Glorious” too (5:27).

The second part of our lesson showed us, through Paul’s words concerning Husbands and Wives, the love that Jesus Christ has for each and every believer – “He who loves His wife in this manner (loving their wives in a Godly manner), just as Christ does with the Church” (5:28-31).

Then third, in the “Expectation of Her Greatness,” taught us the respect of our Savior, Lord, King – our Groom - and of our Love of and for Him. The Church was kept a secret for thousands of years and Paul lists this secret as “a secret of great magnitude.” This is the secret that has brought forth a Great and Wonderful assembly of people who have each willingly and voluntarily chosen to Love and believe in and believe the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

The triad of sections in that lesson largely concerned the manner in which husbands and wives learn to love and care for each other “in a godly way.” Paul uses the Godly relationship of a married man and woman to teach the loving relationship that Christ has for each and every member of His Church .

THE STUDY

LESSON TWENTY-TWO 6:1-12

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
THE INTRODUCTION

VI. CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8
            b. The Orders to His Masters 6:9
    B. P-2, The Army is Opposed by Satan 6:10-12
        1. Soldiers Must Be Raised Up and Made
            Spiritually Strong 6:10
        2. Soldiers Must Make A Spiritual Stand
            As An Army 6:11
        3. Soldiers Must Stand Spiritually Sharp
            As An Army 6:12

THE COMMENTARY

Here in Chapter 6 Paul begins to get into the seriousness of the situation here in our world around us and how we need to respond to it. Paul’s revelation reveals to us that the world is a “war zone.” The “called apart ones” are, in fact, “God’s Army” in this troubled world. Therefore, as the able and willing “Army of the Lord,” there are orders—commands—from above on how to function in this new position.

We have two major categories to look at in these verses. First, Paul tells us that these orders apply to believing families and workers. Then Paul moves on to encouraging the Lord’s People (His Army) in how to be Spiritually Strong, taking a Spiritual Stand, and keeping Spiritually sharp.

THE STUDY – 6:1-3

P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army
“The Orders Planned for His Families”
“The Orders to His Children”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3

6:1-3 [Mac]
1 Children, make a habit of obeying your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ‘Honor your father and mother,’ for this is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may be well with each one of you and so that you may live a long time upon the earth.

6:1-3 [NASB]
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 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

THE COMMENTARY

We’ll breakdown this section into its two sections and then into its four paragraphs.

The first section our outline gives us, is to see that Paul sees that this last chapter clearly demonstrates that the Christian will always be “at war” with the world and its principles – so often driven by the evil one himself. So Paul speaks of the Body of Christ as an Army. It pays for the believer to “weigh” everything you hear, read, see, etc., for the world’s aim is self-involved. Where the world sees individual power, our God sees service for us. Where the world sees wealth, God sees generosity, and where the world sees pleasure, God sees Love, Graces and commitment as the measure of our lives while we are here.

Paul then divides his thoughts concerning Families and Workers into two more sections: God’s love for believing FAMILIES who are now engaged in this battle with the world and against evil. And as you can see from the above outline the first major section concerns The Orders Planned for His Families in this evil world that is at war with Christ.

The first paragraph is four verses long – and is directed to CHILDREN. It’s probably good to mention that we all are children of our parents, so while considering these words we should see what application they have to us as well as our little ones.

Right off Paul makes it clear that he is writing his remarks directly to believing children and believing parents. It is interesting to me that he makes his statements directly to the children, not to the parents. His whole book has been about the benefits and obligations of “a set-apart people,” those who are “in the Lord”, those who are “in Christ.” The commandment he lists here comes directly from the Old Testament and God’s giving of the Ten Commandments. The Fifth commandment “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12): a covenant promise for the promised land.

While Salvation in Christ frees the believer from the penalties of the Law. It , the Law till stands as a “Teacher” of the character and attributes of God Almighty, and therefore offer the key to a happy and productive life – and is why Paul states, “for this is right.” Following the principles of this particular commandment offers “Children” “so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” Thus, this offers all children, of any age, clear advice on honoring one’s father and mother because it is part of God's nature..

THE STUDY – 6:4

P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army
“The Orders Planned for His Families”
“The Orders to His Families”

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4

6:4 [Mac]
4 Fathers, [you] stop provoking your children to anger. Rather, develop them by the training and preventative caution the Lord approves of.

6:4 [NASB]
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

THE COMMENTARY

Paul’s words are amazingly insightful. Here he presents his military training for a father’s children in four steps.

First, “[You] Stop provoking your children to anger.” He is not saying you have to make your children happy all the time, for that will not produce a trained army. He’s pretty pointed in his statement. “Stop provoking them.” Stop going out of your way to make them angry! While I see this in some families, the provoking to anger, I get the picture that this may have been a specific problem in the Ephesian believing community.

In my home church I’ve seen large numbers of young people become quiet and attentive in our regular church services. We have included children of all ages to be present in our services. Yes, the little preschoolers are allowed to leave to their own classes, but all other’s are welcome. Our pastor calls forth a “children’s time” and teaches them each week as part of his sermon time. The end result is an amazing attention paying youth experience and general quiet during the service. We have focused upon, “not provoking our children to anger.”

Fathers… this is your call to train your children… through Love, Kindness, and applying the Grace of God to them as your method of fatherhood – to be like your heavenly Father.

Then, Fathers, as far as their “military training” goes, Paul tells you to “Develop” them, and I’ll use words from both translations here…

1. By training. Your children aren’t with you just to be little children. They are with you for you to train them for their eventual Christian roles in their worlds as they grow with each year.

2. Related to #1 is to “bring them up in the discipline….” Training them to be disciplined in the things which matter to their heavenly Father.

3. Be training them in “preventative caution the Lord approves of.” Do not let your children to be “bringing themselves up.” This is so common in today’s world. Little ones at home alone without the love and care of their parents – especially the love and care of their fathers. “Preventative caution.” Father’s doing what is necessary to prevent your children from being faithless, and angry for being left alone – emotionally and/or physically.

4. Be training your children in the “instruction of the Lord.” Yes, Bible training of your children is your responsibility. So, get your Bibles out, study them, and train your children to be honorable children of the Lord – and His army, the Church of Jesus Christ.

THE STUDY – 6:5-8

P-2, The Orders Planned for His Army
“The Orders Planned for His Workers”
“The Orders to His Servants”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8

6:5-8 [Mac]
5 You who are in the bondservice role, give obedience to your masters in terms of the sphere of the flesh. Give it with fear and trembling. Give it with singleness of heart, as to Christ. 6 Do not give it with eye service, as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing God's will from the heart. 7 Make a habit of serving with a ready good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you are aware that whatever good thing each man does, that he will get back from the Lord, whether he be a bondman or a freeman.

6:5-8 [NASB]
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

THE COMMENTARY

First, we need to do some defining. MacCorkle uses the words “bondservice role.” Back in Paul’s day it was common for men, and women, who owed someone else money (using the term for cash, debt, things purchased, and similar things) to be “indebted” to that person. The way you would pay-off your debt(s) was to work for the person who lent you the “money.” This was a normal practice. Some debts were short-term, and some may take years to satisfy.

Then, like today, some needed to work for another as a way to bring home money for food and things. I bring up these two examples so that you can better understand what Paul is talking about. The term “slave(s)” is a translation of words that cover working for indebtedness and also just working for normal life support. We shouldn’t immediately see the slave word in a modern world setting, and certainly not in the context of the race slavery that existed over the past few hundred years. While that kind of “slavery” existed back then, it is not what Paul is focusing upon here.

When a people became under the control of the then Roman Empire, the definition changes and a “bond-servant” became the property of the Roman citizen, holding no right to leave his place of service. So the word has a wide range of meanings that depend upon context.

I find it interesting that MacCorkle chose the term “bondservice role.” This term indicates that MacCorkle wished to emphasize that being a “bond-servant” indicated that after your debt was paid, you chose to continue working for that person. If it was working for indebtedness and when the debt was repaid, many in that culture, as a sign of voluntarily working for your “master,” would then place a gold ring in their ear to indicate that their position with their master was voluntary.

Paul uses the term “Bondservant” to help define the believer’s position when we “labor” for the Lord… because we want to do it for Him. Here’s a decent definition, “In the Bible, a “bondservant (often translated from the Greek word “doulos”) signifies a person who voluntary, enters into a permanent dedication to service, emphasizing humility and obedience, rather then simply a slave.”

Paul is continuing his efforts to teach the Ephesians, and us, that our whole lives should display our voluntary and willing obedience to God the Father because of what He has accomplished through His Son, and His Holy Spirit, in the offer of free salvation to those who would voluntarily and willingly believe in Jesus for their salvation. He then tries continually to emphasize that that attitude we used in coming to Christ… continues to be the attitude we show to the world in everything we do – as children, as mothers, as fathers, and as workers. We are to give honor and glory to God our Father in every role that we play.

We are to display obedience. We are to demonstrate to those who have some control over us that we live in “fear and trembling” of our Lord and God, making sure that we honor Him with our continuing love and willingness to serve – doing God’s will from the heart, in every circumstance – and as the last sentence says, whether a bonded man (women) or Free (in jail/prison or free).

P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army
THE STUDY – 6:9
“The Orders Planned for His Workers”
“The Orders to His Masters”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8
            b. The Orders to His Masters 6:9

6:9 [Mac]
9 Masters, also, practice the same toward bondservants. Give up threatening since you are aware that the Lord is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

6:9 [NASB]
9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

THE COMMENTARY

Again the central theme is to believers. This time to those who fall into the roll of Masters. “Practice the same…” We are to display obedience. We are to demonstrate to those who we have some control over that we live in “fear and trembling” of our Lord and God, making sure that we honor Him with our continuing love and willingness to serve – doing God’s will from the heart, in every circumstance – and as the last sentence says, whether our charges are a bonded man (women) or Free (in jail/prison or free). And Paul makes a point of, “Give up threatening [them] since you are aware that the Lord is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him. As verse 8 above states: “knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” And we’ll add, “Master or Servant.”

P-2, His Army is Opposed by Satan
THE STUDY – 6:6:10
“Soldiers Must Be Raised Up and Made Spiritually Strong”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8
            b. The Orders to His Masters 6:9
    B. P-2, The Army is Opposed by Satan 6:10-12
        1. Soldiers Must Be Raised Up and Made Spiritually Strong 6:10


6:10 [Mac]
10 Finally, allow the Lord to empower you constantly in Himself with the full force of His strength.

6:10 [NASB]
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

THE COMMENTARY

Paul’s Chapter 6 has led us so far into the idea that the Body of Christ can be thought as an army of the Lord. We’ve looked at four different applications so far: His army is made up of Children and Families who are In-Christ. Each has its role.

First: for the Children the key word is “Obedience.” As a Child… that’s how you demonstrate your relationship to Jesus, is to act in obedience to those in your family who have charge over you – just as you act in Obedience to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is your testimony and witness to all around you.

Second: for Families the key is 3 fold. First – pointed to fathers – Don’t Provoke, especially your children. As members of this new Army – it is not the roll of the Major in charge of the troops to provoke them to anger against you – very unproductive. Second – pointed to those in charge in the family (father/mother) are to teach your troops with discipline and instruction of the Lord. Reading your Bibles, listening to the Holy Spirit, and teaching your children in what your learning with productive discipline.

Third: for those who serve. Serve in the manner God calls you to serve Him with obedience, singleness of heart (for Him) and with a ready good will – your battles will be for the spiritual lives of those of the world around you.

Fourth: Paul tells the masters (those in charge of others) Do the same! Leading as the Lord leads you to lead. Do so in obedience, walking in His light and will, so that those who follow you know that you are following the Lord’s desires, and not your own.

P-2, His Army is Opposed by Satan
THE STUDY – 6:11
“Soldiers Must Make A Spiritual Stand”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8
            b. The Orders to His Masters 6:9
    B. P-2, The Army is Opposed by Satan 6:10-12
        1. Soldiers Must Be Raised Up and Made Spiritually Strong 6:10
        2. Soldiers Must Make A Spiritual Stand As An Army 6:11

6:11 [Mac]
11 Put on the complete armor that God provides so that you may be able to stand successfully against the strategies of the devil.

6:11 [NASB]
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

THE COMMENTARY

Now, all you… as soldiers of the Lord, put on protection, “so that you may be able to stand successfully against the strategies of the devil.” He is a roaring and raving lion – don’t allow him to cloud your thinking and actions – especially since you are men and women of The Lord’s Army. Be a David – go before the enemy with a firm hand, packed with the right weapon, that you may sling it against that giant – and bring Him down!
How do you do that? Know you Bible in-depth. Know the plans and the ways the devil works. Become an effective listener to the Holy Spirit of God and be effective in all the ways just listed from the beginning of Chapter 6. As we have learned in past lessons, learn to live your life “imitating God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” in everything you do – your spouse, your family, those you work for and those you employ to work for you. Live as Christ – and defeat the devil.

P-2, His Army is Opposed by Satan
THE STUDY – 6:12
“Soldiers Must Stand Spiritually Sharp”
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET

CHAPTER 6 – The Church AS the Army of Christ
    A. P-1, The Orders Planned for His Army 6:1-9
        1. The Orders Planned for His Families 6:1-4
            a. The Orders to His Children 6:1-3
            b. The Orders to His Families 6:4
        2. The Orders Planned for His Workers 6:5-9
            a. The Orders to His Servants 6:5-8
            b. The Orders to His Masters 6:9
    B. P-2, The Army is Opposed by Satan 6:10-12
        1. Soldiers Must Be Raised Up and Made Spiritually Strong 6:10
        2. Soldiers Must Make A Spiritual Stand As An Army 6:11
        3. Soldiers Must Stand Spiritually Sharp As An Army 6:12

6:12 [Mac]
12 This is necessary because our wrestling match is not with flesh and blood. It is rather with the rulers, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of this spiritual darkness, with the deadly evil spiritual forces in the heavenly places.

6:12 [NASB]
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

THE COMMENTARY

As we close out this study, Paul wraps it up reminding us that as Christ’s army, our struggle is not against other human individuals – they are our task to win – our struggle is against sin affected systems and powers, against the world forces of this darkness. But, of most importance your struggle is “against the spiritual forces of wickedness and deadly evil here, and in heavenly places. We must fight the fight for those forces will not be completely eliminated until the end of the Kingdom age.