Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul and the EphesiansSample

Domestic Order: Ephesians 5:21-6:20

The subject of domestic order in the kingdom of light is handled in Ephesians 5:21–6:9. This section speaks of maintaining the proper authority structures that exist within households and of the way each party within the authority relationships is to relate to one another. 

In many ways this section resembles Paul’s teaching on ecclesiastical order, found in Ephesians 4:1-16. In that section, Paul taught that everyone should honor and respect those who hold positions of leadership, influence, and authority in the church, and he taught those in positions of leadership to work for the benefit of all.

In this section on domestic order, Paul affirmed the authority structures between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and slaves. And he taught each party in these relationships to function in ways that honored and benefited all parties. And again, the reason was that these structures enhance life in the kingdom of God. 

Lastly, in 6:10-20 Paul spoke of the warfare between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Here Paul spoke of the fact that everyone in the kingdom of light is called to serve in God’s army, fighting the spiritual war against the kingdom of darkness.

Paul summarized this final section of the letter’s body in Ephesians 6:11-12 where he wrote these words:

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:11-12).

The devil and his kingdom war against the church and the kingdom of light, and our divine king demands our loyalty in this battle. To make sure that we can stand firm against our enemies, he suits us in his armor and arms us with his word.