Ephesians 6 Footnotes

PLUS

6:5,9 Paul did not condone slavery when urging slaves and masters to live as responsible Christians; his concern was to change Christians’ attitudes toward each other. The gospel is opposed to slavery. Where the gospel permeates lives, the institution of slavery will be undermined and abolished. It is worth noting that the first generation of Christians who had been freed from slavery to sin, gladly called themselves “slaves” of God or of Christ (see 1Tm 6:1; Phm 16). Paradoxically, this latter slavery is the highest human freedom.

6:11-12 In contrast to modern skepticism toward evil spirits, Paul pictured the church’s battle for survival as a struggle against the devil, demons, and malignant supernatural beings (see 2:2; 3:10).