1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”6:3 Deut. 5:16
4Fathers,6:4 Or Parents do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For 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. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23Peace to the brothers and sisters,6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family. and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
父慈子孝
1你们做儿女的，要按主的旨意听从父母，这是理所当然的。 2因为第一条带着应许的诫命就是：“要孝敬父母， 3使你在世上蒙福、长寿。”6:3 申命记5:16。 4你们做父亲的，不要激怒儿女，要照主的教导和警戒养育他们。
主仆之间
5你们做奴仆的，要战战兢兢、诚诚实实、怀着敬畏的心服从你们世上的主人，就像服从基督一样。 6不要只做讨好人的表面工夫，要像基督的奴仆一样从心里遵行上帝的旨意。 7要甘心乐意地工作，像是在事奉主，不是在服侍人。 8要知道：不管是奴仆还是自由人，每个人所做的善事都会得到主的奖赏。 9你们做主人的也一样，要善待奴仆，不可威吓他们。要知道你们主仆同有一位在天上的主人，祂不偏待人。
上帝所赐的军装
10最后，你们要靠着主和祂的大能大力做刚强的人， 11要穿戴上帝所赐的全副军装，以便能够抵挡魔鬼的阴谋。 12因为我们争战的对象不是这世上的血肉之躯，而是在这黑暗世界执政的、掌权的、管辖的和天上属灵的邪恶势力。 13因此，你们要用上帝所赐的全副军装装备自己，好在邪恶的时代抵挡仇敌，到争战结束后仍然昂首挺立。 14务要站稳，用真理当作带子束腰，以公义当作护心镜遮胸， 15把和平的福音当鞋穿在脚上准备行动。 16此外，还要拿起信心的盾牌，好灭尽恶者一切的火箭。 17要戴上救恩的头盔，紧握圣灵的宝剑——上帝的话。 18要靠着圣灵随时多方祷告和祈求，警醒不怠地为众圣徒祷告。 19也请你们为我祷告，求上帝赐我口才，让我勇敢地把福音的奥秘讲解明白。 20我为传福音成了带锁链的使者。请你们为我祷告，使我能尽忠职守，放胆传福音。
问候
21推基古会把我的近况全部告诉你们，好让你们也了解我的处境。他是主内亲爱的弟兄和忠心的仆人。 22我特意派他去你们那里，好让你们知道我们的近况，并且心受鼓舞。
23愿父上帝和主耶稣基督赐给各位弟兄姊妹平安、爱心和信心！ 24愿所有忠贞地爱我们主耶稣基督的人都蒙恩典！
