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Ephesians 6:4 and the Other Verses of Ephesians 6

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verse of the day for June 18th is Ephesians 6:4.  The title of the book Ephesians is also known as “The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians” and “The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians.”  Ephesians was a letter written by the apostle Paul to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who were either located in Ephesus or in multiple places, including possibly Ephesus.  

For geographical context, below is a link to a map that shows the location of Ephesus.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/45Rom-1.jpg

Below is a link to another map that shows the location of Ephesus.  This map also shows the other locations that compose the seven locations of the churches of Revelation.  The seven churches of Revelation are located in grid coordinate B2.  The key for this map is located in grid coordinates B3 and C3.  A list of those seven churches, sorted in order of mention in Revelation 2–3, is located in grid coordinate D1.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/nt2.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/nt2.jpg

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Ephesians 6.  

Note:  In some of the below notes for Ephesians 6, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] is referenced.  With regard to the Day of Pentecost, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  

Note:  A child obeying that childʼs parents must be done within the context of obeying God the Father.  In that regard, if there is a conflict between the will of a parent and the will of God the Father, the Christian child must obey God the Father instead of the parent.  The will of God the Father is revealed in the Word of God.  

Ephesians 6:2

HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise) 

Note:  The content of Ephesians 6:2–3 references one of the Ten Commandments.  Content related to that reference is in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16.  

Ephesians 6:3

SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

Note:  The phrase THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH indicates what occurs in general.  The context of Ephesians 6:1–3 involves refraining from sinning.  In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

Ultimately, if a believer continues to refrain from confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer will experience the sin unto death.  The sin unto death involves an early physical death.  For a believer who physically dies after the Day of Pentecost, that early physical death involves an early departure to Heaven.  The departure to Heaven of a believer who experiences the sin unto death is an early departure in the sense that it occurs at an earlier time than it would have occurred if the believer had regularly remained in fellowship with the Trinity.  The topic of the sin unto death is covered in 1 John 5:16.  Rather than the content of 1 John 5:16 referring to some particular sin that is categorized as the sin unto death, the content of 1 John 5:16 refers to sinning in general that results in a believerʼs physical death occurring earlier than it would have had that believer regularly remained in fellowship with the Trinity.  

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke/exasperate your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Note:  While Ephesians 6:4 was written in the context of a male-oriented society, the principle found in this verse is also applicable to mothers.  Why is there a focus on males and a resultant absence of focus on females?  Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can expect to find out in Heaven.  One possibility is to show the angels that God the Father greatly blesses the humble, non-attention-getting, helping-others, servant-minded believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Such believers, while frequently unnoticed by much of the other people in the world, can be noticed by the angels, and such believers are certainly noticed by the Trinity.  Worth noticing about such believers is their contrast with the characteristics of Satan, who is arrogant, seeks approbation, cares nothing about others, and is self-serving.  

In order to refrain from provoking or exasperating their children, parents need to be fair, benevolent, and magnanimous while being resolute when dealing with their children.  In order to be those ways, a parent needs to be in fellowship with the Trinity as frequently as possible and to learn the Word of God.  Learning the Word of God helps a believer remain in fellowship with the Trinity as frequently as possible.  When a believer is frequently in fellowship with the Trinity, that believer is frequently unselfish.  

In addition to parents needing to learn the Word of God, children also need to learn the Word of God.  In that regard, once a child has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, it is beneficial to instruct the child regarding confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 3, the procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

For a child who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, it is beneficial to regularly provide reminders regarding 1 John 1:9.  Also, it is beneficial for such a child to learn the Word of God on a daily basis, if possible.  Furthermore, it is beneficial to regularly review encouraging verses with the child.  Such reviewing can help a child remember Biblical principles without having to memorize them.  The same applies to verses that contain warnings.  

Ephesians 6:5

Bondservants, 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, 

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  The phrase masters according to the flesh refers to human masters.  Regarding obeying human masters, the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ must obey God the Father.  The will of God the Father is revealed in the Word of God.  In that regard, if there is a conflict between the will of a human master and the will of God the Father, the believer must obey God the Father instead of the human master.  The content of Ephesians 6:5 refers to general circumstances rather than to every particular situation.  Indeed, the hierarchy of authority involving the authority of God the Father over the authority of mankind is referenced in Ephesians 6:9, in which the impartiality of God the Father, believersʼ Master in Heaven, is mentioned.  

Ephesians 6:6

not according to eyeservice as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, 

Note:  The term eyeservice refers to being dutiful only when the master is watching.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should be dutiful all of the time.  

Ephesians 6:7

with good will rendering service as to the Lord and not to men, 

Ephesians 6:8

knowing that whatever good each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether bondservant or free.  

Note:  In this verse, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “good” is ἀγαθόν [pronounced ah-gah-THAHN and transliterated as agathon].  That adjective is an inflected form of the root word ἀγαθός [pronounced ah-gah-THAHS and transliterated as agathos].  Regarding a believer doing good, a believer must be in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.  Once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

When a believer is in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, whatever that believer does is known as divine good.  In that regard, when the believer is in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, the results of whatever that believer does are known as divine-good production.  In contrast to divine good is human good.  The term human good refers to the seemingly good works done by believers who are out of fellowship with the Trinity and the seemingly good works done by unbelievers.  Human good is a cheap, phoney substitute for divine good.  

The content of Ephesians 6:8 indicates that God the Father rewards a believer for that believerʼs divine-good production and that that rewarding occurs regardless of the social status of each believer.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is when that rewarding will occur.  In that regard, it is possible that the rewarding of each believer who does divine good will only occur after each such believer goes to Heaven.  

Ephesians 6:9

Also, masters, do the same things to them and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in Heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

Note:  In this verse, the word Master refers to God the Father, and the word Heavens refers to the Third Heavens, which is the location of the throne room of God the Father.  Regarding the word heaven, below is a summary of the different usages for that word.  

• The first heaven (also known as [aka] first heavens):  the atmosphere of earth

• The second heaven (aka second heavens):  outer space

• The Third Heaven (aka Third Heavens or simply as Heaven):  the location of the throne room of God the Father

In this verse, there is an absence of a definite article in front of the noun Heavens.  The absence of a definite article in front of a noun is known as an anarthrous construction [an-AR-thruhs kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn].  When there is an anarthrous construction, the quality of the noun is what is being emphasized in the grammar of the Koine Greek.  In that regard, the quality of the Heavens is being emphasized in this verse.  

Regarding the quality of the Heavens being emphasized in this verse, that emphasis calls attention to the contrast between God the Father and human masters.  In that regard, believers who are in positions of authority should remember that they are under the authority of God the Father and that God the Father is impartial.  Because God the Father is impartial, He shows no favoritism toward anyone.  In that regard, rather than God the Father showing partiality toward believers who are in positions of authority, God the Father holds those believers accountable for their actions just as God the Father holds all other believers accountable for their actions.  

Regarding the foregoing, believers who are in positions of authority should refrain from threatening the people who are under the authority of those believers and should instead do good to the people who are under the authority of those believers.  Absent from the context of this verse and the surrounding verses is anything involving permitting misbehavior.  In that regard, a believer who is in a position of authority can provide correction within the scope of that believerʼs authority.  While such correction might superficially seem like it is something other than doing good, such correction can be an act of good that is of benefit to the one being corrected because the correction can give the person being corrected an opportunity or opportunities to change that personʼs thinking or behavior or both.  

Regarding correcting, a believer who is in a position of authority must behave magnanimously.  In that regard, a right thing must be done in a right way.  Below is a list of right and wrong things.  

A right thing done in a wrong way is wrong.  

A wrong thing done in a right way is wrong.  

A wrong thing done in a wrong way is wrong.  

A right thing done in a right way is right.  

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, 

Note:  The phrase Put on the full armor of God is a metaphor.  Also, absent from Ephesians 6:11 is any reference to rebuking the devil or to going on the offensive against the devil.  Instead, Ephesians 6:11 indicates that a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  

Ephesians 6:12

for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual things of wickedness/evil/malice/depravity in the heavenlies.

Note:  The content of Ephesians 6:12 references the devilʼs hierarchy of fallen angels of different ranks that the devil uses in the devilʼs organized system for ruling the world.  In that regard, some people use the term cosmos diabolicus [KAHZ-mahs digh-uh-BAHL-ih-kuhs] to refer to the devilʼs system for ruling the world.  Cosmos diabolicus can also be referred to as the cosmic system.  The word cosmos as used in the term cosmos diabolicus is derived from the Koine Greek noun κόσμος [pronounced KAHS-mahs and transliterated as kosmos].  The Koine Greek noun kosmos refers to an organized system.  

Fallen angels are con artists.  Fallen angels can also be referred to as demons.  Like the human villains in Scooby-Doo cartoons, fallen angels pretend to be things other than what the fallen angels really are:  manipulative narcissists.  For example, fallen angels pretend to be ghosts, good spirits, gods, and extraterrestrial visitors other than what the fallen angels really are (including pretending to be ancient human astronauts or other human spacefarers).  Also, fallen angels pretend to be good angels, as per the content of 2 Corinthians 11:14–15.  Regarding fallen angels, the content of Ephesians 6:12 contains various Koine Greek nouns referring to them.  

Contrasted with the fallen angels are humans and animals.  In Ephesians 6:12, humans and animals are referenced by means of the phrase blood and flesh.  In that regard, rather than the content of this verse indicating that the struggle experienced by believers in the Lord Jesus Christ never involves humans and animals, the content of this verse focuses on the fact that the root cause of that struggle involves fallen angels.  Regarding being aware of  the fact that the root cause of that struggle involves fallen angels, the expression “Know your enemy” is certainly applicable.  

In this verse, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “rulers” is ἀρχάς [pronounced ahr-KHAHS and transliterated as archas].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word ἀρχή [pronounced ahr-KHAY and transliterated as archē].  The use of archas in this verse calls attention to the fact that fallen angels are somehow involved in the ruling of the world.  

The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “powers” in this verse is ἐξουσίας [pronounced ehks-oo-SEE-ahs and transliterated as exousias].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word ἐξουσία [pronounced ehks-oo-SEE-ah and transliterated as exousia].  The use of exousias in this verse calls attention to the fact that fallen angels are powerful.  Also, the use of exousias in this verse might be referring to fallen angels that are under the authority of the fallen angels referenced by means of the noun archas in this verse.  

The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “world forces” in this verse is κοσμοκράτορας [pronounced kah-smah-KRAH-tah-rahs and transliterated as kosmokratoras].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word κοσμοκράτωρ [pronounced kah-smah-KRAH-tohr and transliterated as kosmokratōr].  The Koine Greek noun kosmokratōr is derived from a Koine Greek noun and a Koine Greek verb.  That Koine Greek noun is the noun kosmos.  As mentioned in the notes further above, the Koine Greek noun kosmos refers to an organized system.  The Koine Greek verb from which the noun kosmokratōr is derived is κρατέω [pronounced krah-TEH-oh and transliterated as krateō].  In the context of kosmokratōr being derived from krateō, the usage of krateō refers to being powerful.  Regarding the derivation of kosmokratōr from kosmos and krateō, the use of kosmokratoras in this verse calls attention to the fact that the fallen angels that Satan uses in his organized system for controlling the world are powerful.  Also, the use of kosmokratoras in this verse might be referring to kosmokratōr demons being a different category of fallen angels than the exousia demons, with both categories being under the authority of the category of archē demons.  

In this verse, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “spiritual things” is πνευματικὰ [pronounced pnyoo-mah-tee-KAH and transliterated as pneumatika].  That adjective is an inflected form of the root word πνευματικός [pronounced pnyoo-mah-tee-KAHS and transliterated as pneumatikos].  The use of pneumatika in this verse calls attention to the fact that fallen angels can be invisible to humans.  In that regard, the use of pneumatika in this verse calls attention to the fact that the function of fallen angels ruling the world can be “behind the scenes”—in other words, unseen by many people.  

The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “wickedness/evil/malice/depravity” in this verse is πονηρίας [pronounced pah-nay-REE-ahs and transliterated as ponērias].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word πονηρία [pronounced pah-nay-REE-ah and transliterated as ponēria].  In that regard, demons are depraved, malicious narcissists.  

Regarding the Koine Greek word translated as “heavenlies” in this verse, that Koine Greek word is an adjective that is used as a noun.  That Koine Greek adjective is ἐπουρανίοις [pronounced ep-oo-rah-NEE-ois and transliterated as epouraniois].  That adjective is an inflected form of the root word ἐπουράνιος [pronounced ep-oo-RAH-nee-ahs and transliterated as epouranios].  In this verse, heavenlies either refers to the atmosphere of earth and to outer space or refers to the atmosphere of earth, to outer space, and to the location of the throne room of God the Father.  

The use of epouraniois in this verse calls attention to the fact that fallen angels can operate in the atmosphere of earth and also in outer space.  Regarding fallen angels and Heaven, content in Job 1 and Job 2 references fallen angels having access to there.  Also, the content of Revelation 12:7–9 covers the topic of Satan and the other fallen angels who have access to Heaven getting kicked out of Heaven and banished to the earth during the Tribulation.  Unspecified in the Bible is how angels move through the atmosphere of earth or how they move through outer space.  

The struggle involving the angels can be referred to as the angelic conflict.  The angelic conflict is the conflict between the Trinity and the elect angels on one side and Satan and the fallen angels on the other side.  This conflict has been raging for a long time, and it began sometime before the creation of mankind.  How long the angelic conflict has been raging is unspecified in the Bible.  Also, the specific means by which the struggle of the angelic conflict is waged is unspecified in the Bible.  Whatever is the specific nature of that struggle, human beings were evidently created to resolve the angelic conflict.  In that regard, it appears that at least one aspect of the angelic conflict involves argumentation and attempts at persuasion, such as in a court case.  For example, when, in the Garden of Eden, the first woman was tricked by the serpent—whether the references to a serpent in Genesis 3 are metaphorical references to Satan appearing in a form other than that of a serpent or of something like a serpent or whether the references to a serpent in Genesis 3 are literal references to Satan appearing in the form of a serpent or of something like a serpent or whether the references to a serpent in Genesis 3 are literal references to Satan controlling a literal serpent—Satan persuaded the first woman to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Later, Satan caused Job to experience suffering.  Later still, Satan tried to persuade the Lord Jesus Christ to sin.  The Biblical accounts of those occasions indicate that Satan was arguing and trying to persuade.  

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist / stand against / oppose / withstand in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Note:  The phrase take up the full armor of God is a metaphor.  The metaphor continues through verse 17.  With regard to the content of Ephesians 6:13 and the struggle with fallen angels, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are supposed to be on the defensive rather than the offensive.  As with the content of verse 11, absent from Ephesians 6:13 is any reference to rebuking the devil or to going on the offensive against the devil.  Instead, Ephesians 6:13 indicates that a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs to resist / stand against / oppose / withstand fallen angels.  

Regarding believers in the Lord Jesus Christ being on the defensive with regard to fallen angels, attempts to do exorcisms involves going on the offensive.  Something interesting in that regard is that the only reference to exorcists in the Bible is in Acts 19:13, and that reference involves people who were unable to cast out a fallen angel from a possessed man (Acts 19:13–16).  Also interesting is that instead of there being a Koine Greek word that can be translated as “exorcism” in the Bible, there is a Koine Greek word ekballō [eck-BAHL-loh], which can be translated as “cast out.”  In addition to the Lord Jesus Christ having the authority to cast out fallen angels, His disciples had the authority to cast out fallen angels (Mark 3:14–15).  The content of Acts 5:12–16 references the apostles having the ability to cause fallen angels to come out of people.  In that regard, the content of Acts 8:5–7 references the apostle Philip having the ability to cause fallen angels to come out of people.  Also, the content of Acts 19:11–12 references the apostle Paul having the ability to cause fallen angels to come out of people.  

The ability to cast out fallen angels was a spiritual gift during the time period before the Canon of Scripture was completed.  The term Canon of Scripture refers to the Bible.  The content of 1 Corinthians 13:10 indicates that supernatural spiritual gifts stopped being available once the Canon of Scripture was completed.  The Canon of Scripture was completed in the 1st century A.D.  

In the Bible, the casting out of demons is referred to using the Koine Greek verb ekballō [eck-BAHL-loh] and never with the Koine Greek verb exorkizō [ecks-ohr-KEE-dzoh], which is the word from which the English word exorcism is derived.  Also, in Acts 19:13, the people who pretended to be able to force demons out of demon-possessed people but who actually were unable to force demons out of demon-possessed people are referred to using the Koine Greek word exorkistēs [ecks-ohr-kee-STAYSS].  In that regard, below are quotes related to the Strongʼs definition for exorkistēs.  The quotes are from https://www.BLBClassic.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1845&t=NASB95.  

“one that binds by an oath (or spell)”

“(by implication) an ‘exorcist’ (conjurer)”

In contrast, those who are referred to with the verb ekballō are never referred to as doing so by means of any spells or conjuring.  In that regard, below are quotes related to the Strongʼs definition for ekballō.  The quotes are from https://www.BLBClassic.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1544&t=NASB95.  

“to eject (literally or figuratively)”

“bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out)”

The foregoing indicates that any so-called exorcisms are charades.  In other words, they are phony.  This applies to the time described in Acts 19:13, and this applies to today.  

Also, only unbelievers can be possessed by a demon because believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit.  In that regard, at the moment that a demon-possessed unbeliever becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior Who was judged for the sins of humanity, God the Holy Spirit indwells that new believer and causes all of the fallen angels possessing hat person to come out of that person.  With regard to God the Holy Spirit indwelling believers, during the Church Age, all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit and initially—at the moment of salvation—filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.  In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 3, the procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

If a demon stops possessing someone when a so-called exorcism is done, that demon is doing so to make the so-called exorcism seem to be a legitimate activity.  In addition, if a demon stops possessing someone when a so-called exorcism is done, that demon could be doing so to make it seem that the person or people doing the so-called exorcism are working for God the Father.  In that regard, the person or people doing the so-called exorcism might be unaware that the demon that then stops possessing someone does so because the demon chooses to stop possessing that person.  It is also possible that the person or people doing the so-called exorcism might know that the demon that then stops possessing someone does so because the demon chooses to stop possessing that person.  The person or people who know that the demon that then stops possessing someone does so because the demon chooses to stop possessing that person are in cahoots with that demon—in other words, that person or people are scammers knowingly working with that demon.  

Regardless of whether a person or people doing a so-called exorcism are unaware or know that the demon that then stops possessing someone does so because the demon chooses to stop possessing that person, the people who do so-called exorcisms are involved in an activity that the Bible indicates is a scam.  Therefore, the people doing so-called exorcisms are either dupes who get tricked into believing that they have power over fallen angels, or those people are scammers knowingly working with the fallen angels.  Regarding the foregoing, any organization that involves members who seem to be successfully doing exorcisms is actually an organization that is a hotbed of demonic activity.  

The content of Ephesians 6:13 is repeated below for reference.  

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist / stand against / oppose / withstand in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:14

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness 

Note:  The phrase having girded your loins with truth refers to having prepared oneʼs thinking with truth.  The phrase having put on the breastplate of righteousness refers to living oneʼs life with integrity.  It is worth noting that Paul references preparing oneʼs thinking with truth before referencing living oneʼs life with integrity.  In that regard, a believer needs to learn the Word of God in order to be able to apply the Word of God.  

Ephesians 6:15

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, 

Note:  In the context of Ephesians 6:15, the noun peace refers to peace between the Trinity and people who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  Also, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “peace” in Ephesians 6:15 is εἰρήνης [pronounced ay-RAY-nays and transliterated as eirēnēs].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word εἰρήνη [pronounced ay-RAY-nay and transliterated as eirēnē].  The Koine Greek noun eirēnē is the equivalent of the Hebrew noun שָׁלוֹם [pronounced shaw-LOHM and can be transliterated as shalom or shalowm].  Regarding the foregoing, the content of this verse refers to being prepared to share the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  

Ephesians 6:16

in all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  

Note:  The phrase evil one in this verse refers to the devil.  In that regard, rather than the devil himself doing the actions of causing metaphorical flaming arrows to be metaphorically shot at every believer, Satanʼs cosmic system is the source of the metaphorical flaming arrows that are metaphorically shot at believers.  The metaphor involving flaming arrows refers to challenges that result from the devilʼs selfishness influencing the world.  

The Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “evil one” in this verse is πονηροῦ [pronounced pah-nay-ROO and transliterated as ponērou].  That adjective is an inflected form of the root word πονηρός [pronounced pah-nay-RAHS and transliterated as ponēros].  The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “arrows” in this verse is βέλη [pronounced BEH-lay and transliterated as belē].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word βέλος [pronounced BEH-lahs and transliterated as belos].  The Koine Greek verb that is translated as “flaming” in this verse is πεπυρωμένα [pronounced peh-poo-roh-MEH-nah and transliterated as pepyrōmena].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word πυρόω [pronounced poo-RAH-oh and transliterated as pyroō].  The Koine Greek verb pyroō is derived from a Koine Greek noun that can be translated as “fire.”  That Koine Greek noun is πῦρ [pronounced POOR (with an OO sound) and transliterated as pyr].  The Greek word pyr is the word from which the English prefix pyro [PIGH-roh] is derived.  Regarding the foregoing, the devil is an evil metaphorical pyromaniac who influences the world, thereby causing challenges for believers.  

Even though the devil is an evil metaphorical pyromaniac who influences the world, thereby causing challenges for believers, the faith that a believer has enables a believer to deal with those challenges.  In that regard, the content of this verse references faith as being a shield.  When a believer has learned the Word of God and then recalls principles from the Word of God when that believer experiences challenges in life, that believerʼs application of those Biblical principles enables that believer to endure those challenges.  In that regard, faith that is based on proper understanding of the Word of God functions like a shield for dealing with the challenges of life.  

Ephesians 6:17

Also, take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  

Note:  The metaphor involving the phrase the helmet of salvation is a reminder that each believer has eternal life.  Remembering that each believer has eternal life is comforting.  In that regard, remembering that each believer has eternal life can help a believer deal with the challenges of life.  

The metaphor involving the phrase the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God refers to a believer using principles from the Word of God to deal with the challenges of life.  The word Spirit in that phrase refers to God the Holy Spirit.  In that regard, in order for a believer to use the Word of God to deal with the challenges of life, that believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 3, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

Ephesians 6:18

By means of every prayer and petition, be praying at all times by means of the Spirit, and with this in view, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints / holy ones / set-apart ones,

Note:  All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are saints.  In other words, they are holy, which means that they are set apart.  Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a relationship with the Trinity, while unbelievers lack a relationship with the Trinity.  At the moment of salvation, a believer becomes a saint / holy one / set-apart one.  

All prayer must be addressed to God the Father.  The Lord Jesus Christ Himself indicated that all prayer must be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Matthew 6:1–13 covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Matthew 6:9 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Luke 11:1–4 also covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Luke 11:2 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  

The phrase by means of the Spirit refers to being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit when that believer is praying.  Also, all prayer should be directed to God the Father.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 3, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

With regard to being alert, levels of alertness can be categorized in terms of a mindset color code that involves four colors.  The mindset color code describes states of awareness.  The mindset color code can be utilized for matters outside oneself; for example, the color code can be applied to both physical dangers and also to the dangers of stumbling blocks that can lead a Christian to sin.  Also, the color code can be utilized introspectively with regard to the temptations that can originate from oneʼs old sin nature (OSN).  Every human except the Lord Jesus Christ has acquired an old sin nature, and each humanʼs old sin nature is in the body of that human.  The old sin nature, which is referenced in Ephesians 4:22 with the term old man, can also be referred to as the sin nature.  It is also referenced using the word flesh in Ephesians 2:3 and Galatians 5:16.  The content of Romans 6:6 associates the sin nature with peopleʼs bodies, and the content of Romans 7:17–18 references the sin nature being in peopleʼs bodies.  Adam and Ishshah [ish-SHAW] (the name of Eve before Adam renamed her Eve) were created without old sin natures, and they acquired old sin natures when they sinned.  All other human beings have been conceived.  Only the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived without an old sin nature.  All the other humans that were conceived have been conceived with old sin natures.  Likewise, all humans in the future will be conceived, and the conceiving of each of them will involve each of them receiving an old sin nature at the moment that each of them will be conceived.  Below are the conditions of alertness of the mindset color code and descriptions of them.  

The content of Ephesians 6:18 is repeated below for reference.  

Ephesians 6:18

By means of every prayer and petition, be praying at all times by means of the Spirit, and with this in view, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints / holy ones / set-apart ones,

Ephesians 6:19

and on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Note:  Paul wanted the Ephesians to pray for Paul regarding Paul being able to effectively communicate the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  The gospel is a mystery to unbelievers until the gospel is made known to them.  

Ephesians 6:20

for which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Note:  Paul was imprisoned at the time that he wrote this epistle to the Ephesians.  Also, the word ambassador is a reference to Paul being an ambassador representing the Trinity to humanity.  The metaphor involving being an ambassador calls attention to the importance of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ sharing with others the good news of eternal life by means of believing that the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity.  

Ephesians 6:21

However, that you also may know about my circumstances, what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you, 

Note:  The reference to Tychicus being a brother is a reference to him being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Ephesians 6:22

whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may know the things about us and that he may comfort your hearts.

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

Ephesians 6:23

Peace to the brethren—and benevolence/goodwill with faith—from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note:  Paul wrote this verse elliptically, omitting a verb before the preposition to.  In the context of Ephesians 6:23, the noun Peace could refer to peaceful relations amongst the believers who were the recipients of The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians or to peaceful contentment in the souls of those believers—or to both.  Also, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “Peace” in Ephesians 6:23 is εἰρήνη [pronounced ay-RAY-nay and transliterated as eirēnē].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word εἰρήνη [pronounced ay-RAY-nay and transliterated as eirēnē].  As mentioned in the notes for verse 15, the Koine Greek noun eirēnē is the equivalent of the Hebrew noun שָׁלוֹם [pronounced shaw-LOHM and can be transliterated as shalom or shalowm].  

Ephesians 6:24

Grace with all those who love / exhibit benevolence toward / exhibit goodwill toward our Lord Jesus Christ with genuineness.

Note:  Paul finishes this epistle with a focus on grace.  Also, Paul wrote this verse elliptically, omitting a verb before the preposition with.  

Sincerely,

John