Ephisians 6 

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

2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 

3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a]

4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 

6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 

8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

 

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(Original Korean version: https://anchurch.com/index.php?mid=SundayService&document_srl=18214)

 

Ephesians begins as follows:

(Ephesians 1:7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God's grace.

• Even while in prison, Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church members, bearing witness that Jesus, who is the Creator and came as a human to save us sinners, is their Lord. Through Him, they have received forgiveness of sins.

• Resisting their parents, it's not about committing a sin but about the consequence of sin, the outcome of 'not believing in Jesus,' 'not accepting Jesus into their hearts,' 'not being saved.' 

Why should we obey and honor our parents? 

The Bible provides two reasons.

• First, it is the 'right thing to do' as children. Second, it is the first commandment with a promise.

• Ephesians 6:1-2 states, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—"

• Here, 'first commandment' doesn't just mean 'the initial one,' but rather 'the preeminent' one. This references the law, specifically the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments.

(Exodus 20:12) "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

• Obeying and honoring parents yield two results. Passively, it prevents the sin of 'rebelling against parents,' and actively, it leads to the blessing of 'prosperity and longevity on the earth.'

Who is Jesus Christ?

Why did the Son of God, Jesus, obey and honor his parent 'because of the Lord'? What did he do for his Father, God?

• He died on the cross, following the will of God the Father. Jesus didn't only obey God the Father while he was alive. When he prayed to God the Father before facing the cross, he said, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done" (Matthew 26:42).

• Even facing death, Jesus completely followed the will of God the Father.