Ephesians Chapter 6 Summary and Outline
Introduction
Ephesians 6 brings the letter to its conclusion by drawing together two themes that have been present throughout: the shape of Christian relationships and the strength believers receive from God. The chapter begins with practical guidance for children, parents, slaves, and masters. These instructions continue Paul’s emphasis on humility, mutual honor, and the quiet strength that characterizes the life of Christ.
The second half of the chapter contains one of the most familiar passages in the New Testament. Paul describes the whole armor of God and calls believers to stand firm in the strength the Spirit provides. The armor is not about aggression but about stability, clarity, and readiness. Ephesians 6 closes with a reminder that the Christian life is lived in prayer, dependence, and hope.
Summary of Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6:1-4 speaks to children and parents. Children are called to obey their parents in the Lord, and parents are urged not to provoke their children but to raise them with guidance and instruction shaped by Christ. Paul’s tone is pastoral, reminding families that relationships grounded in Christ become places of nurture, patience, and care. This section is explored further in Instructions to Children, Parents, Slaves, and Masters.
Ephesians 6:5-9 turns to slaves and masters. Paul does not endorse injustice. Instead, he speaks into the realities of the ancient world and invites both parties to act with integrity, respect, and a shared awareness that Christ is Lord of all. Masters are reminded that they too have a Master in heaven. These words challenge systems of power and call for a new way of seeing one another.
Ephesians 6:10-13 begins Paul’s closing call to spiritual strength. Believers are urged to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power. Paul acknowledges that the Christian life involves resistance to forces that work against peace, unity, and goodness. Standing firm is possible because God is present. This movement is unfolded in Be Strong in the Lord and The Call to Spiritual Strength.
Ephesians 6:14-17 describes the whole armor of God. Each piece represents a gift of God’s grace that steadies the believer: truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the word of God. This passage is developed further in The Armor of God, Why Paul Commands Us to Put On the Whole Armor of God, and the detailed reflections on each piece of armor: The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, The Shield of Faith, The Helmet of Salvation, and The Sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:18-20 centers the entire passage in prayer. Paul urges believers to pray at all times, with every kind of prayer, for all the saints. Prayer nourishes courage and strengthens hope. Paul also asks for prayer on his own behalf, that he may continue to speak with boldness. This movement is explored in Praying in the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:21-24 closes the letter with personal greetings and blessings of peace, love, faith, and grace. The tone is gentle, pastoral, and steady, returning to the first themes of the letter.
Ephesians 6 Outline
I. Relationships Within the Christian Household (Ephesians 6:1-9)
Paul continues the relational vision he began in Ephesians 5, showing how Christ transforms daily interactions within the home and community.
A. Children and parents (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Children are called to obey their parents in the Lord, and parents are called to raise their children with instruction shaped by Christ. Paul highlights the importance of nurture and encourages parents to avoid harshness that disrupts trust.
B. Slaves and masters (Ephesians 6:5-9)
Paul speaks into the social structures of the ancient world. Slaves are encouraged to work with sincerity, as serving the Lord. Masters are urged to treat slaves with respect, remembering that Christ is Lord of all. Paul’s words call both groups to see one another with dignity and to act with justice. Further reflection appears in Instructions to Children, Parents, Slaves, and Masters.
II. Standing Firm in the Strength of God (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Paul shifts from household relationships to the spiritual realities behind daily life.
A. Strength in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)
Believers are called to be strong, not in themselves, but in the strength God provides.
B. The nature of the struggle (Ephesians 6:11-12)
Paul acknowledges that opposition comes from forces that work against peace and goodness. Believers need clarity and readiness to resist what pulls them away from God.
C. Standing firm with God’s help (Ephesians 6:13)
Paul urges believers to put on the full armor so they can stand in the day of testing. These themes are explored further in Be Strong in the Lord.
III. The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Paul describes the spiritual gifts that steady and protect the believer.
A. Truth as a belt (Ephesians 6:14)
Truth steadies the believer and holds everything together. This is reflected in The Belt of Truth.
B. Righteousness as a breastplate (Ephesians 6:14)
Righteousness guards the heart and describes a life aligned with God. This theme appears in The Breastplate of Righteousness.
C. Readiness from the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Believers remain ready because the good news of peace guides their steps. This movement is explored in The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.
D. Faith as a shield (Ephesians 6:16)
Faith extinguishes the flaming arrows that threaten confidence or hope. More reflection appears in The Shield of Faith.
E. Salvation as a helmet (Ephesians 6:17)
The assurance of salvation guards the mind. This section is reflected in The Helmet of Salvation.
F. The word of God as a sword (Ephesians 6:17)
The word of God guides, corrects, and strengthens. This theme appears in The Sword of the Spirit.
IV. Praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18-20)
Paul centers everything in prayer.
A. Prayer at all times (Ephesians 6:18)
Believers stay alert and persistent in prayer, interceding for all the saints. The community is strengthened through shared prayer. This passage is developed in Praying in the Spirit.
B. Prayer for boldness (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Paul asks for prayer that he may speak with courage. Even in chains, he desires to proclaim the gospel with clarity and hope.
V. Final Greetings and Blessing (Ephesians 6:21-24)
Paul closes with gratitude, affection, and blessing. He commends Tychicus, who will deliver the letter, and speaks words of peace, love, faith, and grace. These final lines return to the themes that opened the letter.
Themes of Ephesians 6
Strength rooted in God
Believers do not stand by their own strength but by the presence and power of God.
The armor as spiritual steadiness
Each piece represents a gift of grace that helps believers remain grounded and faithful.
Prayer as the atmosphere of discipleship
Prayer surrounds all action, shaping courage and hope.
Relationships shaped by Christ
Paul’s household instructions reveal that the gospel reaches into ordinary life with clarity and compassion.
Perseverance in all seasons
Paul’s closing tone reflects endurance, hope, and trust in the faithfulness of God.
Why Ephesians 6 Matters
Ephesians 6 brings together the inner and outer life of faith. Paul shows that strength comes from God and not from human effort. The armor imagery offers a picture of spiritual steadiness, not aggression. Each piece invites believers to trust God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and word.
