Ephesians 6:3

3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

Ephesians 6:3 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 6:3

That it may be well with thee
In this world, and that which is to come; see ( Deuteronomy 5:16 ) . The Jews ^F26 say,

``there are four things, which if a man does, he eats the fruit of them in this world, and the capital part remains for him in the world to come; and they are these, (Maw ba) (dwbyk) ; "honouring father and mother", doing acts of beneficence, making peace between a man and his neighbour, and learning of the law, which answers to them all.''

And thou mayest live long on the earth:
length of days is in itself a blessing; and though men's days cannot be lengthened beyond God's purpose and decree; and though obedient children do not always live long; yet disobedience to parents often brings the judgments of God on children, so that they die not a common death, ( 2 Samuel 18:14 ) ( Proverbs 30:17 ) . On those words in ( Deuteronomy 32:47 ) , the Jews ^F1 have this paraphrase;

``because it is your life, (Maw ba dwbyk hz) , "this is honouring father and mother; and through this thing ye shall prolong your days", this is beneficence.''

It may be observed, that the words in this promissory part are not the same as in the decalogue, where they stand thus, "that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee", ( Exodus 20:12 ) , referring to the land of Canaan; for the law in the form of it, in which it was delivered by Moses, only concerned the people of the Jews; wherefore to suit this law, and the promise of it, to others, the apostle alters the language of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Misna Peah, c. 1. sect. 1. T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 127. 1, & Kiddushin, fol. 40. 1.
F1 T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 15. 4.

Ephesians 6:3 In-Context

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

2 "Honor your father and mother"—this is the first commandment with a promise:

3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ;