Fathers

Ephesians 6

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Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 6:14

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Having girded your loins," saith he, "with truth." What can be the meaning of this? I have stated in the preceding discourse, that he ought to be lightly accoutered, in order that there should be no impediment whatever to his running. "And having on," he continues, "the breastplate of righteousness." As the breastplate is impenetrable, so also is righteousness, and by righteousness here he means a life of universal virtue. …

Homily on Ephesians 24 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

In the matter of war, the first thing is to know how to stand well; therefore Paul first of all gives counsel concerning standing, requiring that it be proper, befitting soldiers — upright. For he who stands in the proper manner stands upright, not inclining toward anything, just as he who does not stand is not upright; for example, a lustful person, a lover of money, and one living luxuriously does not stand upright but inclines toward something. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." Concerning the members of the soul mentioned in scripture, which are all referred to as members of the body, there is no doubt. I believe that one such member is now mentioned, the loins, which we are commanded to gird with truth. It is also written in the Gospel of Luke: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning" (Luke 12:35). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he goes on to describe the variety of weapons. There are three kinds of spiritual armour, paralleling bodily arms. Some are like clothes and are meant to cover one; others are to protect him (6:16); and still others are for fighting (6:17). Three things are necessary for clothing. Firstly, it must be bound with a belt; regarding this he says Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about. However, a man clothes himself before he puts his belt on. Here the Apostle follows the order of spiritual armour. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗