Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Ephesians 6

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Ephesians 6


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Chapter Level Commentary:
Ephesians 6

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
Children and Parents Children and Parents The Christian Household Children and Parents The Morals of the Home EPHESIANS (5:21-6:9) EPHESIANS (5:21-6:9) Eph_6:1-4 Eph_6:1-4 Eph_6:1-3 Eph_6:1-3 Eph_6:1-4 Eph_6:4 Eph_6:4 Slaves and Masters Servants and Masters Slaves and Masters Eph_6:5-9 Eph_6:5-9 Eph_6:5-8 Eph_6:5-8 Eph_6:5-9 Eph_6:9 Eph_6:9 The Battle Against Evil The Whole Armor of God God's Armor and the Christian's Warfare The Whole Armor of God The Spiritual Warfare Eph_6:10-20 Eph_6:10-20 Eph_6:10-17 Eph_6:10-13 Eph_6:10-13 Eph_6:14-20 Eph_6:14-17 Eph_6:18-20 Eph_6:18-20 Final Greetings A Gracious Greeting Personal Matters and Benediction Final Greetings Personal News and Final Salutation Eph_6:21-22 Eph_6:21-24 Eph_6:21-22 Eph_6:21-22 Eph_6:21-22 Eph_6:23-24 Eph_6:23-24 Eph_6:23-24 Eph_6:23-24 READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Eph_6:1-9

A. This literary unit begins in Eph_5:22 as Paul uses the Christian home as one example of how the Spirit-filled life (cf. Eph_5:18) impacts daily life.



B. Paul's domestic example addresses three pairs:

1. wives and husbands

2. children and parents

3. house slaves and masters



C. Paul first addresses those who had no cultural rights or power (wives, children, slaves), but he also addresses those in power (husbands, parents, slave owners).



D. This domestic example deals exclusively with a Christian home. The power of mutual respect and love sets the pattern. This context does not address the issue of only one party of the three pairs being Christian. Believers' actions toward others is determined by their relationship to Christ and not by the worth or performance of the other party.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. Is there a personal force of evil in our world?

2. What is our responsibility in spiritual struggle?

3. Why does Paul use warfare as a description of the Christian life?

4. What does Paul ask for himself?