Hebrews 2:5-9

⁵ For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. ⁶ But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? ⁷ You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. ⁸ You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. ⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Commentary

Vs. 5 "For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels."

The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God is not only greater than the angels, but as the Son of Man He is restoring to man what Adam lost when he transgressed and sin entered the world. And so in Christ God has put the world (that is all of creation) into His subjection, not the angels, so that Jesus can restore the God created order in creation with mankind as it's head and as it's pinnacle. Now this Divine arrangement is seen in Psalm 8:4-6 which is cited next. 

Vs. 6-8 ⁶ But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? ⁷ You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. ⁸ You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 

The question in verse six is not so much a question, but a marveling at the graciousness of God in making mankind a little lower than the angels, and then crowning him with glory and honor, placing him over all the works of His hands, and putting all things in subjection under his feet (vs. 7-8). That is the God created design for his creation that mankind whom He made to bear His Image would rule over it all. Now mankind lost both the glory and honor that God bestowed on him and that right of rule over creation when Adam the feudal head of humanity sinned and thus with sin entering the world God separated Himself from mankind, and so with that mankind died and sin infected all of creation and Satan took mankind's place as ruler in creation, and that is the condition of the world and the people within it that we currently see, and sadly daily experience. Now the Lord Jesus Christ is the key in all of this because it is through Him and Him alone that God has undone Satan's rule and has restored believing mankind back to Himself, because in becoming a Man, and being obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8-10), Jesus has restored to believing mankind what Adam lost as feudal head of mankind when he sinned against God and thus God separated Himself from him, and we being born of him were also relegated with him to that dead and separated state from God, which Christ has now undone by His own life, death, and resurrection and so He now brings us to Spirit life and restores us to God and His designs for us when we repent and believe in Him (Rom 5:18-19). And so now through Jesus Christ the Son of Man God has restored to mankind all that God intended for mankind to be and do and that is to bear His Image and too rule over all of His Creation, yet we do not see all that happening, yet, because there are still several historic events that need to take place before God ushers in His Kingdom and Rule when we rule with Him.  

Vs. 9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." 

And so Jesus in order to restore to humanity all that Adam lost when he sinned, likewise had to take on flesh and be made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death; that is for the suffering of crucifixion death; so that by His own suffering and death, Jesus could make the Atonement for all our sins and transgressions and open the door our reconciliation back to God. And so Jesus when He came into world was crowned with the glory and honor that mankind once bore, "that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." Now that Jesus has tasted death for everyone means that there is no one who is excluded from His salvation. For in tasting death for us all Jesus didn't remain dead in the grave, but three days later He rose from the dead, and so having tasted death for us all Jesus fifty days later ascended back to God the Father waiting till all His enemies are His footstool. And so from now until then is the day of salvation promised and prophesied about which is now freely extended to all who repent and believe in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who cleanses us of all our sins and transgressions and brings us to Spirit life uniting us with Himself and restoring us back God the Father forever the moment we do (Eph. 1:13-14). Therefore if you believe invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior (Luke 15:11-32; Rev. 3:20) and be reconciled to God today (2 Cor 5:21).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 2:1-4

¹ Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ⁴ God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."

Giving the exceedingly great and grand and glorious salvation God has brought to us all through His Son, we all need to take the more earnest heed to His Word, because complacency towards the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel almost always ensures one will drift away to their own eternal ruin (consider Jesus' warning in the parable of the Sower). History then is riddled with men and women who started out well, but never finished their own race of faith (antithesis 2 Tim. 4:7-8). 

Vs. 2-4 "For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ⁴ God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

If the Word of God spoken through angels to the Old Covenant Israelite's proved steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward when they disobeyed it, how much more will we be deserving of God's wrath and punishment if we also neglect and fall away from the very Word of God spoken to us all through His own Son! Which was first spoken by Him, then confirmed to us all by those who heard Him; that is everyone who was an eye witnesses of Jesus Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension bore witness to it, with God Himself bearing undeniable witness to His Word with signs and wonders, and with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, which He gave according to His own will, which He worked through them all mightily. And so there is no excuse for anyone not to believe the Lord Jesus Christ's Word. For God is the Author of it and so its origins are self evident to anyone whose eyes are not blinded, or whose heart is not hardened. For again God is bore witness to His Word with signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, and even now as the last days are upon us, we see it's fulfillment unfolding right before our very eyes as lawless abounds and transgressors reach their fullness. Therefore just as the very Word of God spoken through angels proved steadfast to the Israelite's when they disobeyed it (vs. 2). The Word of God in recalling these things to us is doing so that none of us neglect so great a salvation, which the prophets and God's people under the Old Covenant economy steadfastly looked forward too and longed for (1 Peter 1:10-12). Therefore since we are the generation to which it has come to be fulfilled be reconciled to God today by opening your heart to Him and and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and then follow Him in discipleship, "for as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12  

Scripture Quotations 

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 1:1–14

¹ God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. ⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? ⁶ But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” ⁷ And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” ⁸ But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” ¹⁰ And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. ¹¹ They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; ¹² Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” ¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Preamble: The Book of Hebrews from it's outset has but one objective to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, above all. For all that God did and brought forth before Him were just mere types and shadows and forerunners sent to reveal and prepare the way for the Manifestation of God's Son Jesus Christ's Glorious Person and Everlasting Ministry. And so with that thought in mind let us look into this wondrous book whose purpose is to fix our faith on Jesus Christ alone. 

Commentary

Vs. 1-2 ¹ God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 

From the outset then the Word of God makes it clear that it is the Lord Jesus Christ and His Preeminence that is being exalted here, for God who spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets (vs. 1), has in these last days spoken to us all by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the worlds (vs. 2). 

And so it is the Lord Jesus Christ whose Person, Power, Authority, Majesty and His Ministry to us all through His Word that far and away excels and exceeds all that came before Him, for it is He alone to whom all the prophets came to bear witness too, and thus it is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He alone to whom we all owe our submission and obedience too (Deut. 18:15-22), because as the Scripture says God has appointed His Son Jesus Christ heir of all things, through whom He also made the worlds. Thus before anything ever came into existence there was the Everlasting Father, Son, Spirit God who created all things through His own Son, and for His own Son. The Preeminence and Supremacy of God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ then is clear, for it is He and He alone we are all to not only look too for our salvation (John 3:16), but it is the Lord Jesus Christ alone that God commands that we all bow the knee, and thus live in subjection too Him (Isaiah 45:23; Rom 1:1-7 vs. 5; Rom 14:11; 16:25-27; Phil 2:8-11 etc.). And so not the prophets, not Moses, not Elijah, not king David, nor anyone or anything else has ever been spoken of in such a light, only God's Son through whom God also made the worlds. For it is Jesus Christ alone whom God has appointed heir of all things. The significance then of such a statement should not be lost on any of us, since it is God the Father who has Exalted His own Son the Lord Jesus Christ above all things, both in heaven and on earth.

Vs. 3 "who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high"

The Lord Jesus Christ is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of God's Person, and is upholding all things by the Word of His Power, is no less God then God Himself (see Matt. 17:1-8). The Lord Jesus Christ then is upholding all things by the Word of His power, for Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, Creator and Sustainer, by whom all things are being Sustained by the Word of His Power. For it is Jesus Christ alone when He first by Himself purged our sins by His own shed blood and Crucifixion death; and thus having made atonement for us all who believe in Him; Jesus then "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," waiting till all His enemies are made His footstool. Therefore Jesus Christ being the brightness of God's glory and the expressed image of His Person brings to us all, all that can be seen and perceived and received and understood of God by us as finite beings. Thus all of God's Glorious Spiritual and Moral and Eternal Characteristics and Qualities are manifested to us all through God's Son. If you want to know God, then know His Son!

Vs. 4 "having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

Now the angels have power and they bear a glory, and through them God often ministered His Word to His people (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). Yet none of them has God the Father ever appointed to be heir of all things. Indeed they ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation (Heb 1:14). And so none of the angels have never been, nor will they ever be exalted to being on par with God's Son. Indeed they are just the Lord's spiritual ministers obeying His Word and doing His will (Psalm 103:20). And so Jesus Christ by inheritance, that is by being God the Father's only begotten Son, has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they. That is both by His eternal position with God the Father as His Son and now by His obedient Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension Jesus Christ by inheritance has obtained a more excellent Name then they. Therefore we are never commanded to look too or worship angels (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9). "For there is no other Name given under heaven amongst men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12 

Vs. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 

Now God the Father in Psalm 2:7 says only to Jesus His Son, "You are My Son today I have begotten You." There is then no reference to any angels in regards to this Word. Now Jesus Christ the Son has always been with God the Father, and so begotten here is referring to when Jesus Christ the Son of God took on a human flesh and became the Son of Man. Thus the prophetic Word of God is here directed exclusively too the Lord Jesus Christ, (and His fulfilling it), not angels. Again there is the prophetic quotation from 2 Samuel 7:14 which as the Holy Spirit reveals here was given of Jesus Christ alone who would come through the genealogical heritage of King David and thus God fulfill His Position as the Son of Man, and so God the Father would be Jesus Christ the Son's Father here on earth as well, to whom God has promised Jesus Christ and Him alone, that He shall rule over the Nations (Psalm 89:27; 110:1-3).  Again no angels have ever been spoken of in this light. 

Vs. 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

And so the prophetic Word of God directs not only us, but also all the angels of God to worship the Son of God when He comes into the world as the Son of Man. Now this is clearly seen in the Gospel with the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and the angelic hosts praising and worshiping God when He does (see Luke 2:13-14). Now Jesus Christ is not only firstborn of God, in that in doing so He became the Son of Man; and thus heir of all the nations and all of creation; but Jesus Christ is also the firstborn of God amongst us all who believe in Him. For He is the first to attain to the Resurrection of dead, and thus with His glorification Jesus Christ became the firstborn amongst many brethren who by Him will all brought to new and everlasting life by faith In Him and through Him (consider Rom 8:29; Col 1:15, 18; Rev. 3:14). And so it is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone who is to always have the Preeminence amongst us all, not angels which we who believe in Him will one day judge (1 Cor 6:3). 

Vs. 7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.”

Now in exalting the Son of God, God's angels still have a very important service with God, but there's is not to rule over the nations, nor His creation. Rather they are His angelic servants through whom God often brought forth His Revelation to His servants the prophets (consider Daniel 7:1-9:27; 8:16; 9:20-27; 10:1-12:13; Zechariah 1:9, 13, 14, 19; Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19 etc.), or they serve as God's emissaries which can also take on a human bodily form (Heb 12:2), warning people as with Lot before God executed His judgment as on Sodom and Gomorrah, and thus they are also His ministers through whom He has rendered judgment on both people and nations (consider Gen. 19:1-29; 1 Kings 22, vs. 20-23), but to us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ they are His ministering spirits sent forth to us who will inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14). Angels then may serve to guide us, protect us, or even instruct us (consider Matt. 28:2-8; Acts 5:17-21; 8:26-40; 10:1-8, vs. 3; 12:5-19; 12:20-24; 27:21-26 etc.). And so angels are very powerful spirit beings which no one is to speak evil of (2 Peter 2:10-11; Jude 8-9). 

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” 

Since angels are a means by which God exercises His judgment on His enemies (vs. 7), His Son is the means by which He exercises His rule. And so to His Son God says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. The Lord Jesus Christ isn't just our Savior and Redeemer, He is by God's Will our Lord and King and Ruler of all! Now a scepter here is being used as a metaphor to signify the Lord Jesus Christ's Right to Rule. And rule in righteousness is what Jesus always does, that is what is meant in verse eight when it states, "A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom" (see Psalm 45:6-7). This then is affirmed in verse nine, when it says again of God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ, "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness". For that is the principal quality that qualifies Jesus Christ to serve in God's Presence as God's Holy King, for God's Son loves righteousness and hates lawlessness. Righteousness as revealed in God's Word and lawlessness that will be judged by the same. "Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." The anointing of oil here is not just symbolic of the Son being chosen as God's King and Priest, rather God the Father anointing Christ the Son with the "oil of gladness", is because Jesus' delight is in doing all righteousness at all times, thus God the Father has anointed Him with the oil of gladness making Him exceedingly joyful as He perpetually does, loving righteousness and hating lawlessness; and thus ruling justly and without partiality is what the Lord Jesus Christ always does, for He always rules in the fear of the Lord (see Isaiah 11:1-5).  "Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

Vs. 10-12 ¹⁰ And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. ¹¹ They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; ¹² Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

The Son of God is not just the Preeminent One in God's Kingdom, but He is Preeminent One over all of God's creation. For the earth and the stars and all things within them are all the work of the Lords hands, and these all have an end, they all will perish, but the Son of God has no end, He is the same from generation to generation (Heb 13:8) and His years will not fail because His Person and Power and Rule is forever! 

Vs. 13 ¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

The finial and most decisive thought in dealing a death blow to all who would want to worship angels, or spirits, or put them on par with the Son of God comes to us in the form of a question, asking us all "But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? The answer is none, because as verse fourteen states they are all just ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation, not minister too us (as those in the occult would try to have demon spirits do, become subservient to their own persons and will), but minister for us, that is God's angels are at work behind the scenes of the visible realm, fighting spiritual battles and paving spiritual paths as God directs them, so that we can all faithfully follow the Lord Jesus Christ. And so angels are never to be worshiped or exalted just as they themselves declare (see Rev 19:10; 22:9). For again is God Himself who has said to His Son and not to the angels, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Psalm 110:1  And so it is God Himself who has reserved the Highest place and seat of Everlasting Honor, Prestige, Power and Glory exclusively for His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who having fulfilled His Word through His own life, death, resurrection and ascension is now seated at God's right hand waiting till God makes all of His enemies His footstool. And so it will be God the Father Himself who will subjugate and relegate all of His Sons enemies to the place of perpetual defeat and eternal condemnation when He exalts His Son the Lord Jesus Christ in the Presence of all of His Creation. And so whether these enemies are in heights of heaven or the depths of hell, they will all be made to be Lord Jesus Christ's footstool at the time God fulfills His Word and glorifies His Son. Which is a day that not only believers long for, but all of creation now awaits. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Ephesians 6:21–24

²¹ But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; ²² whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. ²³ Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Commentary

Vs. 21-22 "But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; ²² whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts." 

Now in order to keep the Ephesians informed about his affairs and those with him, the Apostle Paul now commends to them a beloved Christian brother named Tychicus, whom Paul describes here as a faithful minister in the Lord. Clearly then Paul trusted Tychius, as he not only entrusts him here with delivering his most prized possession, this epistle too the Ephesians, but Paul also is trusting Tychicus of informing them of all his affairs in such a way so as to comfort their hearts. Now this is not the only mention of Tychius in the N.T., for the Apostle Paul also gives a great commendation of Tychicus to all the believers in Colassae as well (Col. 4:7-8). And so Tychicus a beloved brother, faithful minister of the Gospel, and most endearing a loyal friend to the Apostle Paul is just one of the many named and unnamed saints who down through the centuries not only served the Gospel of Christ with their lives; in every good word and deed; but they in their faithfulness to Christ our Lord and Savior also helped to preserve it for us all. Every Gospel preacher than needs to have a believer and friend like Tychius in their lives as well (also see Acts 20:4; 2 Tim 3:9-12; Titus 3:12). 

Vs. 23 "Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 

In concluding his epistle Paul now bestows some blessings upon all the brethren, beginning with peace, both a personal inner peace that comes from knowing God and being in a right relationship with Him, as well as peace with each other because all peace and harmony in ourselves and with each other comes from God our Father, same with love and faith, which are the evidences of the Lord Jesus Christ working mightily in and through a believer or an assembly.  These three things then should define us as Christians: faith, love and peace. For faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6) for through faith we believe in God, and seek God, and trust God, and thus we serve God in His Son, all by faith. While love and peace is the manifested Presence of God in our persons and lives which God gives us all who believe in His Son through His Spirit. And so all people can perceive Christ within us through the same. Now how they respond to that fragrance of Christ given them through us will always be different. For to the one whose longing, and thirsty, and broken soul is looking for rest we will be a welcomed refreshing, comfort, and a joy (Matt 11:28-30). While to the other when they perceive Christ's Presence and peace within us they only well up with all manner of rage and fury, for such is their "fathers" nature, and thus so is theirs, to only be continually antagonistic and hostile and furious towards all that comes from God and is truly of God (consider John 8:44; Rev. 12:2). Nonetheless we always have cause to rejoice because God is not only sustaining us by faith, but He is watching over us in His love and peace and giving us the same, as we journey homeward with Him.   

Vs. 24 "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

The Apostle Paul now bestows God's grace on us all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (that is with an incorruptible undying love, that doesn't forsake ones relationship with Christ for something less, consider Heb 12:14-17, vs 16). And so here Paul is wishing us all wellness in our lives and fullness in our relationship with God our Father.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Ephesians 6:10–20

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Commentary

Vs. 10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

In bringing to a close this epistle (and as a precursor of all that is to follow), the Apostle Paul now tells us all to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. For every Christian will face innumerable challenges and difficulties and temptations as we sojourn through this life (Matt. 7:13-14). And so if there is one thing that will carry each and every believer in good times and bad it is our strength (or confidence) in the Lord, in the power of His might to accomplish in us, and do through us all that we cannot. Thus from our redemption and regeneration, to our ongoing sanctification, as we walk through the perils of this world and life, to our finial salvation when we take our forever places with Christ in His Kingdom in heaven, our confidence must never be in our talents, gifts, or abilities, (and thus ourselves) but in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His might (consider Phil. 1:6). 

Vs. 11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." 

Now being strong in the Lord and the power of His might requires that we ourselves not only submit ourselves to the will of God (James 4:7), but that we put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of devil. Hence no Christian is ever called to be passive, rather we are to be proactive by preparing ourselves for all the temptations and trials and tribulations that are surely to come by him, and then resisting him steadfast in the faith through the same when they do (consider 1 Peter 5:8-9).  

Vs. 12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

The Apostle Paul now directs us away from seeing "flesh and blood" (i.e. people) as our adversary, to who really is our adversary, that is the devil and all of Satan's army of angelic beings through whom he not only seeks to induce as much havoc and carnage and misery as he can in this world, by deceiving and manipulating and enraging people into doing his will (consider 2 Tim 2:25-26), but through the same spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, he also makes war with each and every believer. For we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who seek to obey God and keep His commandments, are the focus of his greatest fury and wrath (Rev. 12:17). For nothing undermines his agenda (to destroy men and woman's and children persons and lives, and ultimately keep them from eternal redemption) more than when we believe God and keep His commandments. Therefore we who believe in and belong to the Lord Jesus Christ are not at "war" with "flesh and blood"; that is with unbelievers, or the world, or anyone of a different ideological, political, or cultural stripe etc. We have but one adversary, and that is the devil and all his spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places who is leading this world astray to its own eternal ruin (Rev. 13, 17, 19:19-21). It's unnerving to think that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19), which is not a total control of this world and it's affairs, but rather Satan and his forces have a continuing and ongoing influence over this world and the people of it, which if people are not released from by their repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will end in their own eternal ruin (consider Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13; Rev 20:11-15). 

Vs. 13 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." 

Having identified our enemy, the Apostle Paul now commands that we take up the whole armor of God so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all to stand. The evil day then is not something brought about by God, for God tempts no one, and He Himself is not tempted by evil, (James 1:13); rather the evil day is something that is orchestrated and brought about by the devil who may use ones own reasoning as he did with Eve in the garden (Gen. 3). Or it may be like with Jesus in the wilderness where the devil thought to induce Christ to cast of His confidence in God and use His own Person, Stature, and Power to defeat him, and when that failed he thought to induce Jesus into sinning against God by promising Him all the riches and power and such of this world if He would worship him (see Matt. 4:1-11). And so the the evil day is not just a single day or assault, but more than likely will entail the devil coming at you from various angles and positions and at different times in our lives, and through different mediums, attacking our perceived weaknesses, or points of vulnerability, again using our own powers of reason (or if that fails using confusion and doubts as he did with John the Baptist, see Matt. 11:2-6) to induce us away from obeying God and into obeying him. Therefore we are all commanded to take up the whole armor of God which is God's provisions for us all against his doing so, so that we will be able to take our stand against him in the evil day. For as with Jesus in the wilderness, where God did not intercede until Christ had passed through the most difficult and taxing of trials that any human has ever faced, so with us. For the responsibility to submit to God and resist the devil rests with us, not with God (James 4:7; also consider 1 John 5:18).

Vs. 14 "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness"

Notice that every believer is called to stand against his assaults, not capitulate, not negotiate, not even contemplate what to do, rather stand. Now in order to do that we must first have girded our waists with truth, to which God's Word truth is more than sufficient to rebuke and defeat the father of lies and expose whatever angles he is coming at as from. Again Jesus when faced with the devils assaults did not lean on His "understanding", nor did He enter into a debate or try to reason with him, rather He quoted God's Word's truth. For again it is God's Word's truth that exposes all that is not true, for it searches the hearts and minds, and is the discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart (see Heb 4:12-13), and it alone has both the Authority and the Power to expose and rebuke all that is not true (2 Cor 10:3-5). And so your first line of defense is always God's Word truth. Now employing the truth it is not going to do you much good if you are living and practicing a lie, that is living in sin or rebellion against it (consider Jer. 9:6; Rev 22:15). For in order for it's Authority and Power to be enacted in one's life requires two things, the first is faith, that is believing it (consider Heb 4:2; 11:1), and the second is submission or obedience to it (Rom 16:19-20; 1 John 5:18, antithesis Heb 3:18). These two things are the essential ingredients to enact the Word of God's Authority and Power in ones own life and keep the devil and his schemes at bay. Girding ones waist with truth then is where ones victory over sin and Satan always begins. 
Next the Apostle Paul says we need to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Now having a righteous standing with God begins and ends with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1); that said, living righteously, and thus in accord with God's commandments given us in the N.T. which reflect and or are based upon all the moral and ethical precepts found throughout God's Word is critical to living victoriously and fruitfully. For though we are not under the Law as a means for justification in the sight of God, we are still commanded to keep the commandments of God (Rev 14:12), that again are reiterated in both Word and deed in the Gospel (Matt. 13:52) as well as the N.T. Scripture (consider 1 Tim 1:5-11; 1 Peter 1:14-15). Therefore putting on the breastplate of righteousness will do much in keeping you well grounded in the faith, and again keep the devil at bay (1 John 5:18). 

Vs. 15 "and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" 

To shod ones feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace is to be ready to share the Gospel of peace wherever you are and wherever you go (consider Rom 10:15). That is what we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are all called to do, take the Gospel to people and places where it has not been heard. For the Gospel is not just to be spoken and heard in the church and amongst it's own members, (consider Matt 9:37-38), rather the whole world is to be (and will be) filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 26:9; Hab. 2:14; Matt. 24:14; Luke 24:46-47). For it is the knowledge of the Lord through His Gospel, and thus what He has done for us all, that brings remission of sins and everlasting salvation and life to everyone who repents and believes in Him. Therefore just as Jesus bore the reproach of the Cross outside the gate, so let us all who believe in Him likewise bear the reproach of the Gospel outside of the safe confines of church, (Heb 13:12-13), because no one is called to be static about it's presentation or it's declaration (Matt 12:30; Mark 8:38; Rom 1:16-17).

Vs. 16 "above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

Now the shield of faith is our first line of defense and so it is listed as above all, because it is by faith and faith alone that we have remission of all our sins and everlasting life, and thus have been united with Christ, sealed and sanctified by His Holy Spirit for all eternity. And so though we strive for righteousness and holiness and goodness and all truth, no one in this life will ever attain to that holy perfection (1 John 1:8-10). Therefore we must always direct our faith towards God (and not ourselves and what we have done or not done) because it is God alone who is the Just and the Justifier of everyone who has their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 3:19-28, vs. 26). Therefore when the enemy accuses us, whether falsely or justly, for that is what he does accuses the brethren night and day (Rev 12:10), we direct our focus not on ourselves and trying to defend ourselves from his accusations, but rather on Christ and His Word and His promises to us all who believe in Him, which are not dependent upon our us and our abilities (or better inabilities) to maintain a perfect and blameless standing with God, but on Him and what He has done for us, and that is giving us by faith in His Person a Perfect and Blameless standing with God Himself (Rom 8:34; Heb 4:14-16; 7:25; 1 John 2:1 etc.). Therefore the shield of faith is the most important armor that we can bear, because as the Scripture says without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6). Therefore when you stumble and fall, because we all do, and the devil lets loose his fiery darts of accusations at you, seeking to beat you up and beat you down, look to our God and Father and His Son who loves you and is waiting for you to come home so that He might forgive you and heal you (Luke 15:11-32).

Vs. 17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" 

Until now all of our armament has been mostly focused on our protection, on a defensive stance as it were. Here though we are called to be reactive to the devils assaults. But before we can do that we must be completely assured of our own salvation, and thus our eternal security with and through Christ Himself (Eph 1:13-14). For that is our putting on the helmet of salvation which will prevent any lethal blows to our faith as we dawn it in the battle. Having done so then the Apostle Paul says we are to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Notice that it is the Holy Spirit Himself who takes up the fight when we rightly divide and use the Word of God, for Satan and all of his forces are powerless against it, as Jesus proved in the wilderness. For again we are never called to be passive when the devil assaults us, or seeks to propagate his lies and deceptions in our lives or anyone else's. Rather we are called to take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God which is mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, and thus we are to cast down arguments and every high thing which exalts itself against all true knowledge of God (see 2 Cor 10:3-6). For if believers do not stand for the truth in their homes and in their churches and workplaces and wherever else we are, then we only give ground to him to strengthen his foothold in peoples hearts and minds and lives. Now what should not be lost in all of this is the manner in which we are to do so; (in regards to this consider 2 Tim. 2:25-26 and 1 Peter 3:15 and the emphasis there on gentleness and humility); because even the Lord Jesus Christ did not break a "bruised reed", or damage a "smoldering flax", which are themselves symbolic of people who have been bruised or damaged in their faith, or in their lives, nor was He seen or heard arguing with people in the streets (see Isaiah 42:3; Matt. 12:18-21, vs. 19-20). For there is a time for boldness and firmness as when we take our stand against the devil and his assaults on us, or against the faith (Jude 4), just as there is a time for meekness and gentleness and fear when we give a reason for the hope that is in us to anyone who inquires about God through us.
And so in taking up the Sword of the Spirit be considerate in how you wield it, because we are never called to do more damage as Jobs friends did to him when Satan assailed him (Job 42:7-8), rather through it we are to minister God's Word truths to one and to all.

Vs. 18 "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—"

The Apostle Paul in revealing to us our Spiritual armor now declares that it must all be backed by prayer. Pray is what Jesus did often, and prayer is what we are to do often as well (Luke 22:20), not formulated prayers that are recited like there is some sort of magical power when one uses them, (or long winded public prayers meant to impress others, which do not bring the one praying them, or anyone else into communion with God), and certainly not prayer that is only rooted in gratifying oneself (James 4:3; antithesis 1 Kings 3:4-15), but prayer that is done in the Spirit, and thus is a seeking, searching, diligent prayer that has at it's heart a trust and dependency on God, with all submission to Him (Phil. 4:6-7). For prayer that expresses the heart of the believer is prayer that God always hears (consider Psalm 3:4; 18:6; 22:24; 34:4; 106:44; 120:1; 141:1-2). And so praying in the Spirit is in accord with Him, and thus God's Will for us all, and is how we are all to pray with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, meaning our prayers must be ongoing (Luke 18:1-8) and are to be made for all of God's people, because praying for one another not only brings God into all our circumstances, but it also helps strengthen our ties and Christian fellowship.

Vs. 19-20 ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Having directed us all to always be praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, not only for ourselves in all our circumstances, but also for each other; the Apostle Paul now makes request of the Ephesians for their prayers for himself. Now notice that Apostle Paul's focus is not upon God first changing his circumstances (he was at that time imprisoned for his faith) but rather that they would pray that God would enable him to preach the mystery of the Gospel, boldly. Twice in fact he mentions this. For timidity (which is not humility or meekness) is the enemy of every true Gospel preacher. For the Gospel is a Message of Power and bearing witness to Christ anywhere or in any circumstance should never be done in any manner other than with boldness (consider Acts 4:13, 29, 31; 2 Cor 3:12; Philippians 1:20; 1 Tim 3:13; Heb. 10:19-25; 1 John 4:17 etc.). For just as Jesus was throughout His ministry when questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducee's, or when they sent men to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, He did not capitulate or surrender to whatever fears He may have been feeling at that moment and deny His own Person before the angry mob sent to "arrest" Him. Rather He boldly asserted that whom they were seeking to crucify He was the Man (see John 18:1-11). Similarly then no believer should ever falter when declaring the testimony of Christ, lest the godless, unbelieving, and profane become emboldened (consider Prov 25:26); because inevitably they will be mixed in amongst those who will believe and receive the truth, and so give no ground to Satan or his own, for nothing gives greater witness to the truth then when a Man of God declares the Word of God boldly, which is proof of salvation to the one, and perdition to the other (Phil. 1:28).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 6:5–9

⁵ Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. ⁹ And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Commentary

Vs. 5 ⁵ Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 

Continuing on from his exhortations to the families the Apostle Paul now moves to the workplace. Today there are not bondservants, but there are employers and employees and so the exhortations here apply to those relationships and responsibilities. To begin then the Apostle Paul addresses employees first, since that is what must of us are, saying, we are to be obedient to our employers in sincerity of heart, as to Christ. Obviously this is not a blind obedience that would requires us to place ourselves (or anyone else) at risk of injury, or prosecution, or scrutiny for violating civil laws or workplace regulations and such given for the direction and safety of all employees. Similarly the employer has no jurisdiction when it comes to an employees faith and conscience, to command anyone to knowingly violate theirs. That said an employee may have to reconsider their employment if an employer would require them to do something that they themselves feel is a violation of theirs, but that decision would be up to the employee and employee alone, for not even the church Pastor has jurisdiction in this, for it always comes down to the individual believer and their own faith convictions and conscience that determine this, therefore do not judge one another in regards to this (see Rom 14:10), unless another believer is using this precept to justify doing a undeniably clear violation of God's Moral Law (1 Cor 5:3-5). Now the manner in which we are to obey our employers is with "fear and trembling". The idea here is not that we be cowering in their presence, but rather we are to respect (if not their person) then the position and the authority God has given them to rule and govern us in the workplace. And thus bad mouthing the boss when they are not around should never be heard coming from any Christians mouth, same with slacking off in the workplace, because the work that we perform there we must view as to Christ, and thus we should seek to serve Him there to the best of our abilities, (first proving ourselves there to Him, so as to be qualified to serve Him elsewhere) and thus let us all serve Him in all honesty and integrity and faithfulness in our workplaces. 

Vs. 6 "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" 

Having commanded our obedience to our employers (see verse 5), the Apostle Paul now addresses the manner in which we are to serve Christ in the workplace. And so we are not to serve our employers (and thus Christ) with mere "eye-service." Meaning we don't try too look busy, or only do what they say we are to do, when they are around. Rather we work in same manner when they are there, and when they are not, "doing the will of God from the heart". Which means we all strive to be a faithful and diligent employee whose employer doesn't have to come and regularly check up on us to see if were doing what we are supposed to be doing, or to see if we are doing our work in the manner in which we were instructed to do it, because they have come to trust that what we are when they are around, so we are when they are away. Thus we don't take shortcuts in exercising our duties, or do things half-heartily, or take unnecessary restroom breaks, or speak ill of others so as to try to promote oneself, or partake in all of the workplace rumors and gossip that inevitably undermine the companies harmony and productivity. Rather as bondservants of Christ we do the will of God from the heart, which is to serve our employers not with eyeservice, but as if we are serving Christ Himself! 

Vs. 7-8 ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

And so it is we are to serve our employers with goodwill (gr. εὔνοια) which means we are eager employees who willingly and wholeheartedly serve our employers in whatever duties that are assigned to us. Because as the apostle Paul says, what we do in the workplace is in fact our serving Christ Himself and He will reward us according to what we have done there, according to what we have done there in our service towards Him.

Vs. 9 "And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." 

Having addressed us as employees, the Apostle Paul now addresses us as employers. Notice that holding such a position is likewise a responsibility that also carries with it an accounting to our mutual Master in heaven, who does not show favor towards employer or employee, or in fact anyone (consider Deut. 16:19-20; Job 13:10, 31:13; Acts 10:34-35; James 2; 1 Peter 1:17-20).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Ephesians 6:1–4

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” ⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 

Commentary 

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

Continuing on from his exhortations to wives and husbands, the Apostle Paul now directs his address towards their children. Now children refers to children from the age of their understanding through their teens, right up until they leave their parents home. All children then, especially believing children are commanded by God to obey their parents/guardians in the Lord, for this is right in the sight of the Lord (also see Col. 3:20). Now instilling this critical value in children begins best from an early age, (which may or may not require corporal punishment depending on the child and their temperament), for this not only helps establish the children in the home in a secure and safe environment where their boundaries and responsibilities are clearly known and laid out to them; but it also helps with establishing the home and even society itself, as parents who do so are preparing their children for their own maturing and growth and social integration and ultimately adulthood as they move from one phase of life to the next, all which starts when they first enter school where they will have to obey their teachers and principals, (which if they didn't learn to obey their parents at home then their going to have a difficult transition there), then later to the pressures and responsibilities that come with the teen years and choosing career paths and getting drivers licensees and first jobs etc., and finally as they move into full independence and adulthood, which still requires us all to follow societal rules and laws that are given for the protection and well being of us all. Therefore if there is one thing that all believing parents can do to give their children the best possible start in life, and lay the best possible ground work for them to succeed in life, it begins in the home with teaching them to respect and obey their parents, because it is on that basic ground work on which all other Godly and righteous character attributes are built upon and that mature and responsible adults are established.

Vs. 2-3 ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

To strengthen his exhortation the Apostle Paul now cites God's Law which carries within its commandment "to honor ones father and mother" a promise that God will be with all those who do so (see Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16, antithesis seen in Deut. 21:18-21; Matt 15:1-9). Thus the promise of God making ones ways well on the earth, and even the promise of long life is for all those who do so (consider Prov 3:1-2; 4:10).

Vs. 4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

The Apostle Paul now addresses the fathers, since they are the heads of their families, and as such the duty and responsibility for their children's training and admonition (i.e preparation for adulthood) rests with him. Now the Apostle Paul to keep fathers from erring in this, now tells them not to provoke their children to wrath by being unfair, unjust, or heavy handed in how they exercise this God given duty, rather they are to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. Notice this God given responsibility does not rest with the church and their Sunday school programs, but with the father in his home where he must instill in them through the Word of God all Godly values and virtues, if it is going to take root and bear lasting fruits in the child's life anywhere else (consider Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim 3:15). Now to train ones children in the admonition of the Lord (and thus Jesus is the Lord of their household) begins by teaching and instructing them from God's Word, so that they are equipped to live and conduct themselves in a right and just and sound manner throughout their lives. And so they are taught how to respect and obey parents and elders, how to obey all authority and why, how to share and give, how to treat others, how to resolve conflicts, how to keep oneself from the perils of temptations and sin, how to honor God financially, and on it goes, there is nothing that a child cannot learn and prosper by if their parents, and specifically their father, takes the time to give and instill in them the life gifts and tools they will need to successfully navigate through their lives, all which are found in God's Word. Therefore let all fathers be about doing that, learning for themselves, and sharing what they learn with their children, in both word and deed, for nothing instructs and inspires a child more than to see their own father doing what is good and right and sound and just, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Ephesians 5:22–33

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Commentary
Vs. 22 "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."

Having commanded that we all submit to one another in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 5:21), the Apostle Paul now commands that wives submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord (see 1 Peter 3:1-6). And so in commanding our mutual submission in verse twenty one, the Apostle Paul did not overthrow the headship of the male (or husband) of his wife, for that has it's origins in God's order of creation itself (see 1 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:11-15, vs. 13-15). Thus that is never in question, or to be questioned, rather only how the husband executes his solemn duty as such can be. The role reversal of the male being placed under the female is not to mark the church (1 Cor 11:3), since that is the error of this world, which makes equality not about the individual person in the eyes of God, but rather the roles they fulfill and perform, and or the things that they can do (consider Gal . 3:26-29). 

Vs. 23 "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."

The Apostle Paul now gives the reason why wives are to submit to their own husbands, because the husband is the head of the wife (1 Cor 11:3), just as Christ is the Head of the church. This analogy then should not be lost on us, for as the Apostle makes clear here the wife is not to take the role of being the head of her husband, just as the church would never be the head of Christ! And thus the notion that the women should be made head of the male is one that is not born out of the Word of God, but only out of an unregenerate heart and a degenerating world, which through such gender role reversal notions, has already degenerated (or in their eyes "evolved") into justifying in their hearts and codifying in their laws the homosexual/transgender Satanic agenda, all of which is an abomination in eyes of God (Lev. 18:22; Deut. 22:5), and thus they are paving the way for the rising of the anti-Christ, as lawlessness abounds and transgressors reach their fullness (Dan. 8:23; Matt. 24:9-14; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).  Again the Apostle Paul in using the analogy of Husband as head of the wife with Christ as head of the church leaves no room for misunderstanding, because just as the church should never act as the head of Christ, similarly in no way should the wife ever act as the head of her husband. That all said, a marriage is not a dictatorial relationship where one rules over the other to the detriment of the other. Rather the role of leadership in the home or in the church is not about, nor should it ever be about exercising authority over another. It is about leading, leading by an example that compels others to want to follow in your Godly and righteousness footsteps, and thus they want to submit to your "authority," because in you they are to see the attributes of Christ Himself, (justice, mercy, kindness, love), who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45). Thus headship is never about commanding people submit to you, it's about leading in such a way that people want to follow you. Thus you want your kids to help their mom wash the dishes after dinner, then take the lead in this and set the example by washing them with her. Or you want your son to mow the lawn, then go out there with him and make it a father and son experience until he is old enough and confident enough to do this safely on his own.  

Vs. 24 "Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."

The Apostle Paul carries on with his analogy, now bringing it into the realm of our submission to Christ Himself as the Head of the church. So then wives are to submit themselves to their husbands in everything as to Him. There is then in this commandment a great amount of responsibility that is being placed not only on the wife, but also on the husband, since he by God's design is the head of his wife (and thus his family) just as Christ is the Head of the church. And so though the passages exhortation is clear, I also want to be clear that in no way does this passage permit any husband unbridled authority over his wife, since he is accountable to Christ in all things, especially in how he treats her. For just as Christ would never do anything to the detriment of the church, so he should be very careful not to do anything to the detriment of her person, faith, or well being. Now the number one thing a husband can do to forward his wife wanting to submit herself to him in all things is to make her feel safe and secure in her home. That is critical, and thus having a steady job and making provisions for her and their family, and thus being a solid and steady and trustworthy individual are all key ingredients to building her confidence in you as a capable and Godly leader of the home.   

Vs. 25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 

Having commanded all wives submit to their own husbands in all things as to Christ, the Apostle Paul now addresses the husbands. Notice how the Apostle Paul also links his command for husbands to love their wives with how Christ loved the church. The love then Paul is speaking of here is sacrificial in nature. And thus the husband is in no way to "lord" authority over his wife, rather he is to give himself for her well being. For just as Jesus loved and gave Himself for the church, "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word" (vs. 26). So too should all husbands sacrificially love their wives by always considering their persons and well being with the decisions that they make as heads of their wives and families. For it was the Lord Jesus Christ who in love for the church first laid aside all His rights and privileges as the Son of  God so that He could suffer Crucifixion death for our redemption and eternal salvation. So too then should the husband always have in mind his own wife's salvation and sanctification. For the Lord Jesus Christ did so that He might sanctify and cleanse her (i.e. the church) with the washing of water by the Word. That is Jesus having made atonement for us all by His own death on the cross; so as to restore us all who believe in Him back to God the Father in heaven; He then rose from the dead and ascended back to our God and Father in heaven to be seated at His right hand before sending His Spirit to bring us to life and unite us all who believe in Him with Himself as one people In One Body of Christ. Thus with the birth of church, it is the Word of God that is sanctifying our persons, assemblies and lives as we believe and obey it (John 17:17). That is the sanctifying and cleansing and washing of her (i.e. the church with the washing of the water of the Word) that the Apostle Paul is referring to here. The analogy being that just as Christ did (and does) all things for His bride's (i.e. churches) salvation and sanctification, so too should all believing husbands be with their own wives. 
And so the ongoing sanctification of the church (that is the setting apart of us who believe from all that defiles the flesh and spirit and thus is offensive to God, consider 2 Cor 6:14-7:1) is so that Jesus can present His church to the Father without spot or blemish (vs. 27).

Vs. 28 "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself." 

Since Christ so sacrificially loved the church, husbands are commanded to love their wives just as their own bodies, "he who loves his wife loves himself." The idea here being that since the two in marriage become one flesh (see Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5-6, Eph. 5:31); for a husband not to love and care for his wife as himself is not only not being as Christ Himself is towards us all who believe and belong to Him, but is also not being congruent with what the Scripture commands and teaches.

Vs. 29 "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." 

To strengthen his point the Apostle Paul now reasons that no one ever hated his own flesh, but they nourish and cherish it just as the Lord does the church. And so no husband who professes faith in Christ can rightly said to be obeying Him if he does not do his duties as a husband by providing for and caring for his own wife, just as he provides and cares for himself. For just as he has physical needs, and so where he can he seeks to meet these, so to does his wife have the same. And thus to seek to meet ones own bodily needs while neglecting ones wife's needs is not congruent with what the Lord does or commands of us all, and that is that we care for one another. 

Vs. 30 "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones."

In the same way a husband is to love his wife as he does his own body, so too does Christ love and care for the church, for each believer is a member of Christ's body, and as such Christ cares for us all as His own Body. And thus He seeks our sanctification and well being and transformation and provisions and whatever else He knows we need to be His Holy and Godly people. 

Vs. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 

The oneness of the husband and his wife is now made self-evident by the Apostles quotation of God's Word in Genesis 2:24. Thus the husband has no excuse for not loving his wife as himself, since they in effect are one in the eyes of God.

Vs. 32 "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." 

That said, the analogy reaches far beyond the realms of human matrimony union, and rather finds it's true meaning and fulfillment in realm of Christ and the church. For the church is the bride of Christ and all things are paving the way for this great and grand holy union to come to its completion (Rev. 19:9; 21-22). 

Vs. 33 "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." 

The Apostle now returns back to the present age to conclude his exhortation by summarizing it all with a command that husbands are to love their own wives as themselves, and that wives are to respect their husbands. For when they both do their part their marriage will grow stronger, because she receives the love she desires from him, and he receives the respect he desires from her. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.