Ephesians 6
Paul instructs children to honor parents and fathers not to exasperate children. He addresses slaves and masters with mutual respect. He closes with the armor of God: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, the word of God.
EphesiansChapter 6 of 624 versesBerean Standard Bible
In this passage: JesusEphesusRome
If God speaks to you through Ephesians 6, record what He said in Doxa and come back to it.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),
Honor your father and mother — first commandment with a promise
“Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”
Read Exodus 20:12›“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
He put on righteousness as his breastplate — armor of God
“He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.”
Read Isaiah 59:17›Righteousness his belt, faithfulness the sash — belt of truth
“Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.”
Read Isaiah 11:5›and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
Feet fitted with readiness of the gospel of peace
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!””
Read Isaiah 52:7›In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The helmet of salvation on his head — armor of God
“He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.”
Read Isaiah 59:17›Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Read next
Best Prayer Apps 2026: Hallow, Pray.com, PrayerMate & Doxa TestedWhere to keep your prayers, the answers to them, and your testimonies, compared app by app.Cross-references for Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6:10Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Ephesians 6:112 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,”
Ephesians 6:122 Corinthians 4:4
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
Have a question about Ephesians 6?
On Doxa, you can have a personal interaction about any scripture. Ask questions, explore context, and discover connections.
Real stories about these themes
Read testimonies from real people connected to what you're reading.
Explore Related Topics
If God speaks to you through Ephesians 6
Doxa is where you record what God has said to you, in the words it came in, weigh it against Scripture with people you trust, and come back to it in the years that follow.
