What is Paul’s authority?
(Ephesians 6:1-9; Proverbs 22:6, 15; Hebrews 12:6-7) Blog Sep. 3-9, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Ephesians Paul shows that believers in Jesus who have every spiritual blessing in Christ are to continually weave those virtues into their daily lives with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. In the church they will tolerate the mannerisms of other members and forgive their sins while building up the body in love. This will begin in the home where husbands and wives learn to live godly lives together.
Children & Parents
1. Why does Paul turn to children in Ephesians 6? Children are part of the family & the church is made up of families so the children’s behavior & submission are a significant influence in the church (Eph. 6:1).
2. If you are not a parent why should you care about a child’s behavior? If children are out of control in the home their parents will be hindered in exercising their gifts in the church & their children will hinder all church activities where they are present, thus, also hindering their own progress in the things of God (Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 5:5-6).
3. How can church members help children in the church? By their example & by their love of children in the church, members can help the children in the church grow up into Christ their living head. Taking a special interest in a particular child encourages them to remain faithful (Eph. 5:21; Col. 3:17-18).
4. When writing to children where does Paul turn for his authority? Paul turns to the Ten Commandments when writing to children, for they depict love (Eph. 6:1-2; Rom. 13:10).
5. What is the natural direction of children? All children are born sinful by nature & go astray, speaking lies as soon as they are born, so they must be given limits (boundaries) (Psa. 51:5; 58:3; Prov. 22:15).
6. What two commands does Paul give to children? Paul tells children to obey & to honor their parents. The first requires action, the second attitude (Eph. 6:1-2).
7. What two blessings come with honoring and obeying one’s parents? Children receive both quality & quantity of life by honoring & obeying their parents (Eph. 6:3; Prov. 1:8-9; 3:1-2; 4:10).
8. When are children not to obey their parents? When parents command what is contrary to God’s Word, children must submit to God rather than to their parents (Eph. 6:1; Ex. 20:3; Acts 5:29).
9. What two aspects of parenting does Paul list? Paul lists nurturing & admonishing as how parents are to raise their children (Eph. 6:4).
10. What is included in the nurture of the Lord? The nurturing Paul desires is that of lovingly providing spiritual guidance that will bring children to faith, repentance, & holy living. This requires both teaching, training, & example (Deut. 6:4-9; Psa. 78:4; Prov. 22:6; Luke 2:52).
11. What is included in the admonition of the Lord? Admonition involves corrective discipline: training by rules enforced by consequences. This Eli did not do (1 Sam. 3:13; Prov. 22:15; 23:13-14).
12. How can parents provoke their children to anger? Overprotection (not allowing them to think), favoritism (comparing one with another), lack of compassion, pushing achievement, discouragement (not approving them), failing to sacrifice for them, neglect (even in discipline), bitter words, physical cruelty (Eph. 6:4; Gen. 28:25; Psa. 64:2-3; Prov. 29:15; Col. 3:21).
Employees & Employers
13. How are slaves, servants, and employees to serve their masters? They are to serve their masters as if they were serving Jesus: wholeheartedly, respectfully, & consistently (Eph. 6:5-8).
14. Of what truth does Paul remind employees that should encourage good behavior in everyone? Paul reminds us all that God will reward every good deed done on earth (Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:24).
15. How does Paul tell masters to behave toward their employees? Paul tells masters to treat their employees the same way they want their employees to treat them: with honesty, respect, & good will (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1).
16. What are masters warned not to do to their employees? Paul tells masters not to threaten their employees (wages, work, termination) (Eph. 6:9).
17. Of what additional divine reality that they are to imitate does Paul remind employers? Paul reminds employers not to show favoritism to certain employees for God shows no favoritism: his standards & treatment are equal for all (Eph. 6:9; Acts 10:34-35).
Serving the Lord
18. If God is our Father, then how does Paul’s advice to children apply to us? We are to obey & honor God & to expect him to have rules, consequences, & discipline (Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-6; Job 36:10; Heb. 12:6-7).
19. If Jesus is our Lord and Master, then how are we to serve him? We are to obey him with reverent respect, cheerfully doing his will, even forgiving one another & guarding our words, knowing that he never threatens us nor plays favorites (Eph. 6:5-9; Eccl. 5:2; John 13:13-15)
20. How does all this counsel relate to what Paul wrote in the previous chapter? In Ephesians 6 Paul continues with the idea of submitting one to another, showing how to apply this principle in all areas of life thus, bringing harmony among church members & loving growth to Christ’s church. Submission & order of authority is essential training before an army meets the enemy (Eph. 5:1-2, 15, 21; 6:10-11).