3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Do what God asks of you and peace of mind covers you. With that, your stress level is low and your life is long.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Children shouldn't use this verse when their parent is disciplining them. Don't even try! Real parents will raise their children in The Ways of God, in the love of The Lord. That's the "nurturing and admonition of the Lord." His ways prepare us for today and tomorrow.
5 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;
This is a matter of trusting to your employer. You count on a check for a day of hard work. You don't want someone that uses you without a fare wage for that labor. You don't want someone that will sell you down the river for them to go bankrupt and profit off you. Honesty is very important on both ends.
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Attitude is very important. You're there to do a job and do your best at that job. As a Christian, you reflect Christ. What would He have you do, what would He have you be?
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Striving towards perfection in everything we're doing. Christians are can do servants of Christ.
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Do things God's way and be blessed, no doubt about it. Do things by ill-gotten gains and when you least expect it, things will fall apart. Not one person is getting away with anything. Believe that!
9 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.
Our Father doesn't look at someone in a high position of employment with more respect than those that work under them. It's our Christian walk that our Father respects. He gave us The Way and we should follow Him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
The Only way to "be strong in The Lord" is to Study His Word and to know there's power in His name.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Many today haven't a clue about what is of God and what's of the devil. They just don't have time for The Word and satan takes advantage of that fact. If you want to admit we are at war with satan, you'll prepare yourself for battle.
12 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.
There is spiritual wickedness all around us. They're in our schools, politics, religions and control the economics of the world. We are at war today and we better prepare for tomorrow. satan himself is about to show up and fool the world. You're not going anywhere. You're going to see him and you had better know the difference. Daniel 8:23-25 23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
13 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.
Those who hold to The Truth understand full well this day starts at that 6th trump = false christ cast to earth and ends on the 7th trump = The True Christ return. GET READY!
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
The Truth hold us up when satan tries to bring us down. "Girt" = περιζώννυμι perizṓnnymi, per-id-zone'-noo-mee; from G4012 and G2224; to gird all around, i.e. (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively):—gird (about, self). Metaph. with truth as a girdle, to equip one's self with knowledge of the truth. "Breastplate of righteousness" gives us authority over satan and his tricks. Thing is, you had better know The Word, so not be fooled by the lies. How can you battle, if you don't know what to fight against.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
“Shod” - Strong's Number G5265 matches the Greek ὑποδέω (hypodeō). The meaning of which is, to bind under one's self, bind on. Hold your ground in Truth and never let anyone or anything bring you back to the way of the worldly. Don't let them take your peace. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In the flesh we may not grasp it all, but we have what we need in these flesh bodies. That is Christ Jesus and the Word. Everything you need today is right there.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
It's our faith that is in front of our body. It deflects those lies of satan. We can't be fooled or swayed by him and his. We are mentally prepared and ready for battle. Within our faith is wisdom and knowledge, peace and self control. Through it all, we stand with The Word.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
"The helmet of salvation" Secures of mind in The Truth. That Truth is The Word of God, which is the "sword". It cuts both ways. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Prayer is talking to our Father, make sure it's not about your flesh wants, but that which you want for your brothers and sisters in Christ. God will see our needs are met on His time, not ours. His plans will come to pass and we get to be part of them. Make sure you're on the right side during the battle.
19 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,
Only when you study, will The Holy Spirit open what was closed to you. God's Word holds answers to every question you need to know. There are no mystery's if you study His Word. He gives us the answers, then you can speak The Truth to those without.
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul teaches with boldness. He knows there is no time to beat around the bush. Speak with authority, showing your faith. That's how we are to speak. Those in The Word follow The Word and are ready for whatever comes. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
21 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:
Paul's saying, Tychicus will be coming to you Ephesians and he'll explain it all to you.
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
The Word will do that. We can feel the Word of knowledge warm us. It fills you and comforts you. Knowing what's coming, is part of getting ready. Knowing you have Christ in you give you confidence. You're a Christian, a can do child of God.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians have peace of mind, because they have Christ Jesus, The Word.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Christians have favor, because they have Christ Jesus, The Word.