PHILIPPIANS 2

 ◄ Philippians 2 ►

Amplified Bible 

Be Like Christ

 Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same [ The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.] love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel--the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. 

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [ through factional motives, or strife ], but with [ an attitude of ] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [ look to Him as your example in selfless humility ], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [ as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes--the entire nature of deity ], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [ as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it ]; but emptied Himself [ without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity ] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [ He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man ]. 

After He was found in [ terms of His ] outward appearance as a man [ for a divinely-appointed time ], He humbled Himself [ still further ] by becoming obedient [ to the Father ] to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

For this reason also [ because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus [ All intelligent beings in the universe, whether saved or unsaved, whether in spirit or as mortal mankind, will acknowledge Him. ] EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission ], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord ( sovereign God ), to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [ my instructions with enthusiasm ], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [ that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity ] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [ using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ ]. 

For it is [ not your strength, but it is ] [ God supports the believer, but it is the believer’s responsibility to do what he has been called by God to do.] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [ that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose ] for His good pleasure.

Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [ morally ] crooked and [ spiritually ] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [ beacons shining out clearly ] in the world [ of darkness ], holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [ my race ] in vain nor labor without result. 

But even if I am being poured out as a [ The drink offering (wine) was required as part of the sacrificial system of the old covenant. ] drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith [ for preaching the message of salvation ], still I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 

You too, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be encouraged by learning news about you. 

For I have no one else [ like him who is ] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [ spiritual ] welfare. 

For the others [ who deserted me after my arrest ] all seek [ to advance ] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 

But you know of Timothy’s tested worth and his proven character, that he has served with me to advance the gospel like a son serving with his father. 

Therefore, I hope [ that it is His will] to send him immediately, just as soon as I see how my case turns out; and I trust [ confidently ] in the Lord that soon I also will be coming to you. [ things go with me. This letter to the Philippians was written near the end of Paul’s two-year period of imprisonment in Rome. This was the first of his two Roman imprisonments. At this time he was under house arrest and was living in his own rented home. About five years after his release he was imprisoned again. Emperor Nero was actively persecuting the Christians during this period, so Paul was held in the Mamertine dungeon (Tullianum). Shortly before his execution Paul wrote his second and final letter to Timothy from his cell in Rome. ]

However, I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, [who has been] my brother and companion and fellow soldier, who was also sent as your messenger to take care of my needs. 

For he has been longing [ to see you all ]for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 

He certainly was sick and close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 

So I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 

Welcome him home in the Lord with great joy, and appreciate and honor men like him; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me [ which distance prevented you from rendering personally ].

PHILIPPIANS 1

 ◄ Philippians 1 ►

Amplified Bible 

Thanksgiving

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed),

To all the saints (God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:    Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 I thank my God in every remembrance of you, always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you, [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now. 

I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. 

It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me. 

 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me]. 

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].

The Gospel Is Preached

 Now I want you to know, [brethren] believers, that what has happened to me [this imprisonment that was meant to stop me] has actually served to advance [the spread of] the good news [regarding salvation]. 

 My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else. 

[This word praetorian is derived from the Latin praetor (leader, commander). Paul’s use of the word here indicates that he is referring to the troops who served as the emperor’s bodyguard, and evidently were also entrusted with the custody of prisoners who had come to Rome on appeal.]

   Because of my chains [seeing that I am doing well and that God is accomplishing great things], most of the [c]brothers have renewed confidence in the Lord, and have far more courage to speak the word of God [concerning salvation] without fear [of the consequences, seeing that God can work His good in all circumstances]. 

Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me--for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me]. 

The latter [preach Christ] out of love, because they know that I have been put here [by God on purpose] for the defense of the gospel; but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 

What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well], for I know [with confidence] that this will turn out for my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the [superabundant] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [which upholds me]. 

It is my own eager expectation and hope, that [looking toward the future] I will not disgrace myself nor be ashamed in anything, but that with courage and the utmost freedom of speech, even now as always, Christ will be magnified and exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

  For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. 

If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice]. 

But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; yet to remain in my body is more necessary and essential for your sake. 

Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your rejoicing for me may overflow in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one [d]mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel. 

And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God. 

For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30[and so you are] experiencing the same [kind of] conflict which [e]you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now.

12 August 2026 Total Solar Eclipse (the moon completely block the sun)

 Total solar eclipse 2026: Where to see the moon completely block the sun in August

It's the only total solar eclipse of the year, and while the best views will be seen in Spain, Iceland and Greenland, a partial eclipse will unfold in the sky over North America.

For the first time in more than two years, the moon will completely block the sun and create a total solar eclipse on August 12th, 2026.

The eclipse will be centered on a narrow path that crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain and a small part of Portugal. 

Only people inside that corridor, known as the path of totality, will be able to see the sun fully covered by the moon. 

Around 15 million people live in the path of totality, but people from around the world are expected to travel to see the event.

For most in the path of totality, the Sun will be fully eclipsed for less than two minutes. For anyone near the very center of the eclipse path in Greenland, Russia, or the North Atlantic, totality will last a little longer (but still less than two and a half minutes). 

That is much shorter than the last total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, across North America, when totality lasted more than four minutes in some locations.

In Spain, the eclipse will happen late in the day, just before sunset in some places. Madrid and Barcelona sit just outside the path of totality, so people there will need to travel to see the full eclipse. The path does include the Balearic Islands, where the event will unfold low in the western sky.

Weather conditions are looking favorable for some of the more populated areas of the path of totality, including in Spain and Portugal, where it will be mainly clear on Wednesday afternoon.

The same cannot be said for western Iceland, which is likely to have thick clouds during the brief period of totality. Still, a well-timed break in the clouds could give some spectators a glimpse of the main event if luck is on their side.

Solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower peak on same day.

While this eclipse has a limited viewing area, there is more to be excited about with the Perseid meteor shower peak.

 The August 12 solar eclipse is a special one. In the same 24 hours that we will see the sun darken as the moon passes in front of it and we will see the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most prolific meteor showers every year.

 Those in North America will see a partial solar eclipse, looking like the moon took a bite out of the Sun, and then a night of shooting stars.

Beginning at 1 p.m. EDT, Slooh will host a Star Party on YouTube making the total solar eclipse available to anyone, no matter their location. A few hours later, another Star Party kicks off for the Perseid Meteor Shower.

North America, Europe to see partial eclipse.

Areas outside the path of totality will still get a partial solar eclipse, including most of Europe and parts of North America.

In Canada, Alaska, and the midwestern and northeastern United States, people outside may not even notice a difference in the amount of sunlight during the partial solar eclipse, as the moon will take only a small bite out of the sun.

Some planning is still needed to safely view even a partial eclipse, however. Special solar filters or eclipse glasses are required to look at the sun safely.

During a partial solar eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. 

Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.

People who saved eclipse glasses from 2024 may still be able to use them in August, as long as the glasses were stored properly and do not have scratches, tears or holes. If there is any doubt, it is better to replace them with a new pair, which are inexpensive.

For folks without eclipse glasses, there are still a few simple ways to safely enjoy a partial eclipse.

One of the easiest options is a pasta strainer. When sunlight shines through the small holes during the eclipse, it can cast tiny crescent-shaped images on the ground or another surface.

Tree leaves can create a similar effect. During a partial eclipse, small gaps between leaves can project crescent shapes in the shadows below.

After this 12 th August, 2026, the next total solar eclipse will happen on Aug. 2, 2027, across northern Africa and part of the Middle East.

That eclipse is already drawing attention because it will be one of the longest total solar eclipses of the century, with the moon blocking the sun for up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds.

Jesus and eclipse 

The crucifixion darkness described in the synoptic gospels occurred during Passover, which coincides with a full moon, making a solar eclipse astronomically impossible since those only happen at the new moon. While early historians like Thallus and Phlegon attempted to explain the three-hour darkness as a solar eclipse, modern scholars and astronomers note that solar eclipses last only minutes and cannot occur during a full moon. 

Instead, NASA astronomical models have identified a lunar eclipse on April 3, 33 CE, a date traditionally associated with Jesus's death, which would have produced a blood moon. This celestial event aligns with biblical prophecies in Acts 2:20 and Joel 2:31 regarding the moon turning to blood, suggesting the "darkness" may refer to this lunar phenomenon or a separate supernatural event rather than a solar eclipse. 

Acts 2:20 states that "the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord." This verse is a direct quotation from Joel 2:31, cited by Peter during his sermon at Pentecost to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

The verse describes cosmic signs that serve as harbingers for the "Day of the Lord," a period characterized by divine judgment and the establishment of Christ's kingdom. The imagery of a darkened sun and blood-red moon symbolizes God’s final intervention in history and the imminent return of Jesus Christ. 

Key aspects include:

• Context: Peter uses this prophecy to connect the events of Pentecost with future eschatological events, warning of God's authority over creation. 

• Symbolism: The darkened sun and bloody moon represent divine judgment and mourning, echoing similar apocalyptic imagery in Revelation and Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24:29. 

• Theological Significance: It emphasizes that God is in control of the universe and serves as a reminder for believers to remain ready for Christ's return. 

• Outcome: The verse is immediately followed by the promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21), linking the signs to the opportunity for repentance and salvation.

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2026年全球最適合退休的國家

 2026年全球最適合退休的20個國家

1. 🇲🇾  馬來西亞 (75.8)

2.  🇵🇦  巴拿馬 (75.8)

3.  🇵🇹  葡萄牙 (75.3)

4.  🇹🇭  泰國 (74.3)

5.  🇨🇷  哥斯大黎加 (73.5)

6.  🇰🇳  聖克里斯多福及尼維斯 (73.0)

7.  🇬🇪   喬治亞 (72.0)

8.  🇵🇭  菲律賓 (71.6)

9.  🇪🇪  愛沙尼亞（71.3）

10. 🇦🇬 安地瓜和巴布達 (71.2)

11. 🇧🇳 汶萊 (71.0)

12. 🇹🇼 台灣 (70.6)

13. 🇵🇾 巴拉圭 (70.5)

14. 🇲🇺 毛里求斯

15. 🇧🇬 保加利亞

16. 🇰🇭 柬埔寨

17. 🇱🇹 立陶宛

18. 🇪🇸 西班牙

19. 🇧🇧 巴貝多

20. 🇨🇿 捷克

2026年全球移居指數

敬請關注。

這些國家都不是所謂的七國集團成員，也不是最大的經濟體。

大國裡沒有生活，一切都只是資本主義的龐大機器。

馬來西亞絕對是最佳退休之地…

人生苦短，退休後想在一個充滿樂趣的國家安享晚年，不只是因為那裡生活成本低。

meilleurs pays au monde pour prendre sa retraite en 2026

 Les 20 meilleurs pays au monde pour prendre sa retraite en 2026.

1. 🇲🇾 Malaisie (75,8)

2. 🇵🇦 Panama (75,8)

3. 🇵🇹 Portugal (75,3)

4. 🇹🇭 Thaïlande (74,3)

5. 🇨🇷 Costa Rica (73,5)

6. 🇰🇳 Saint-Kitts-et-Nevis (73,0)

7. 🇬🇪 Géorgie (72,0)

8. 🇵🇭 Philippines (71,6)

9. 🇪🇪 Estonie (71,3)

10. 🇦🇬 Antigua-et-Barbuda (71,2)

11. 🇧🇳 Brunei (71,0)

12. 🇹🇼 Taïwan (70,6)

13. 🇵🇾 Paraguay (70,5)

14. 🇲🇺 Maurice

15. 🇧🇬 Bulgarie

16. 🇰🇭 Cambodge

17. 🇱🇹 Lituanie

18. 🇪🇸 Espagne

19. 🇧🇧 Barbade

20. 🇨🇿 Tchéquie

Indice mondial de mobilité internationale 2026

Soyez attentifs.

Aucun de ces pays ne fait partie du G7 ni ne figure parmi les plus grandes économies mondiales.

Il n'y a pas de véritable « vie » dans les grandes nations. Tout y est régi par une gigantesque machine capitaliste.

Absolument, la Malaisie est l'endroit idéal pour prendre sa retraite...

La vie est courte. On a envie de prendre sa retraite dans un pays agréable à vivre, et pas seulement parce que le coût de la vie y est bas.

20 Best Countries to Retire in the World in 2026

20 Best Countries to Retire in the World in 2026

1. 🇲🇾 Malaysia  (75.8)

2. 🇵🇦 Panama  (75.8)

3. 🇵🇹 Portugal. (75.3)

4. 🇹🇭 Thailand. (74.3)

5. 🇨🇷 Costa Rica. (73.5)

6. 🇰🇳 St Kitts and Nevis. (73.0)

7. 🇬🇪 Georgia  (72.0)

8. 🇵🇭 Philippines  (71.6)

9. 🇪🇪 Estonia. (71.3)

10. 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda  (71.2)

11. 🇧🇳 Brunei  (71.0)

12. 🇹🇼 Taiwan  (70.6)

13. 🇵🇾 Paraguay  (70.5)

14. 🇲🇺 Mauritius

15. 🇧🇬 Bulgaria

16. 🇰🇭 Cambodia

17. 🇱🇹 Lithuania

18. 🇪🇸 Spain

19. 🇧🇧 Barbados

20. 🇨🇿 Czechia

Global Relocation Index 2026

Pay keen attention.

None of these countries are in the so called G7 or biggest economies.

There is no Life in the big nations. It is all a giant machine of capitalism.

Absolutely, Malaysia is the best place to retire...

Life is short . You want to retire in a fun country not just because it’s cheap .

The 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index is your essential tool for cutting through the clutter and zeroing in on the places that offer the best lifestyle, value, and ease of transition abroad. Based on more than 40 years of on-the-ground experience and in-depth reporting from our trusted network of expats and correspondents, this Index is built to help you take action.

 A simple but radical idea: that a richer, freer, and more fulfilling life might begin after you leave home. That idea — once the domain of adventurers and dreamers — has become a practical reality for many thousands who have chosen to retire abroad.

Today, that "to retire abroad" movement is entering a new era. The world is shifting faster than at any time since 1979. Costs are rising at home, healthcare systems are buckling, currencies are adjusting, technology is rewriting what “work” means, and the very definition of retirement is being rewritten. What was once a niche lifestyle is now a global trend reshaping how we think about security, purpose, and freedom in the second half of life.

Retirement as our parents knew it no longer works. The traditional formula—thirty years of work followed by thirty years of leisure funded by savings, pensions, and other resources — was built for a world of lower costs, shorter lifespans, and stable economies. That world is gone.

Many countries are pricing retirees out of their own country. 

The average couple can expect to spend over $300,000 on healthcare in retirement, while everyday costs for housing, food, and energy continue to rise. 

The result is that more elders are looking outward. The world today offers not just escape from high costs, but genuine opportunity—affordable healthcare, growing expat communities, new business ecosystems, and a quality of life that simply stretches further elsewhere.

The truth is that the future of retirement is no longer bounded by national borders. It’s being shaped by five powerful forces transforming how—and where—we live out the best years of our lives.

Force 1: Global Shifts in Retirement

A generational migration is underway. Retirees are seeking financial breathing room, safety, and meaning in places once considered far-flung. 

The early movers, are already securing the best opportunities: affordable real estate, favorable residency programs, and lifestyles that feel more connected and human than those they left behind.

 Together, these forces are redefining what retirement security looks like for the next generation.

Force 2: Healthcare Without Borders

Healthcare used to be the immovable barrier to living abroad. Not anymore. Around the world, countries from Portugal to Thailand are delivering world-class care at a fraction of local costs. Capitalist countries do not have a healthcare system—i t has a healthcare industry, and millions of citizen s are quietly opting out.

This new era of healthcare refugees is not about cutting corners — it is about reclaiming dignity and peace of mind. 

Some are even choosing countries where higher taxes buy you freedom from fear.

 The next decade will see more retirees moving not just for climate or culture, but for access to  elder-care that sustains both health and finances.

Force 3: The New Retirement Economy

The old model of “no work after 65 yo” has given way to something far more dynamic. 

 People do not die of old age; they die of retirement. 

Around the world, retirees are blending income and lifestyle — consulting, freelancing, teaching, or creating online ventures that let them live anywhere.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are amplifying this shift, making it easier than ever to earn from anywhere. 

Portable income and phased retirement are not just buzzwords; they’re tools for financial resilience and purpose. 

This new retirement economy blurs the line between work and leisure — and that is a good thing. 

It allows retirees to stay engaged, fulfilled, and financially secure long after the gold watch ceremony is over. 

True value isn’t about what’s cheapest — it’s about where life feels richest.

Force 4: Value Beyond Borders

For decades, the idea of retiring abroad was shorthand for “finding someplace cheap.” That’s no longer enough. 

Cheap is not the same as value. True value lies in stability, healthcare, safety, and community — the deeper ingredients that sustain a satisfying life overseas.

Today’s smart retirees think like investors: they assess governance, healthcare policy, and long-term viability. 

They diversify not only their assets but their lifestyles. 

As warning ⚠️, countries can and do change their residency or tax rules overnight. The smart retiree plans for adaptability, not perfection — staying alert, informed, and flexible in an unpredictable world.

Force 5: Legacy & Continuity in an Unstable World

Finally, retirement abroad is no longer just about your life — it is about your legacy. 

In a world of legal complexity and geopolitical flux, families are asking how to protect what they’ve built and ensure continuity across generations.

One gentle reminder remind us that “security for the next generation” requires global thinking —diversifying assets, understanding foreign inheritance laws, and even building structures that safeguard wealth outside the dollar system. This is about more than money. 

It is about giving your children and grandchildren, if you have them,  access to opportunity, stability, and choice in a world that is redefining borders and currencies alike.

Looking Ahead

Across these five forces runs a single current: control. 

The freedom to choose where and how you live. 

The ability to shape your healthcare, income, and legacy on your own terms. 

The power to create a future that reflects your priorities — not the limitations of a single system or economy.

Here Health Wealth is helping readers discover that freedom. 

We have watched as once-obscure coastal towns became thriving expat enclaves; as remote work made geography irrelevant; as families who once dreamed of a better life abroad made it real.

Now, as the world tilts once again, the opportunity is greater than ever. The tools exist. The pathways are open. The future belongs to those willing to think globally and act deliberately.

We invite you to explore the insights that follow—to see where each of these five forces is leading, and how you can harness them to create your own version of the good life abroad. 

The future of retirement is not waiting. It is already unfolding.

You do not have to be rich to enjoy a pampered retirement, you just need to know where to go. 

The next era of retirement is global, connected, and full of possibilities.

EPHESIANS 6

 ◄ Ephesians 6 ►

Amplified Bible Par ▾ 

Family Relationships

Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. 

HONOR [esteem, value as precious] YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [and be respectful to them]--this is the first commandment with a promise-- 

SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE A LONG LIFE ON THE EARTH.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

[a]Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ-- not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.

You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status].

The Armor of God

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 

Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 

So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 

Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people [the saints].

And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation], for which I am an ambassador in chains. 

And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.

Now, so that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and that he may comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts.

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible love.

Notes:

[a] Slavery was common in New Testament times (as well as in ancient Israel). One might become a slave through conquest, the commission of a crime, or destitution. Slaves were required to do their masters’ bidding and work without compensation (cf Luke 17:7-10). Elsewhere Paul advises slaves not to dwell on their circumstances, and to earn their freedom if they can (1 Corinthians 7:21). The admonitions here accurately reflect the slavemaster relationship in the Roman Empire; since they were not compensated, slaves sometimes did only what they had to do to avoid punishment, and masters could be cruel disciplinarians.

[b]  Literally , girded your loins, a phrase often found in the Bible, is an urgent call to get ready for immediate action or a coming event. The phrase is related to the type of clothing worn in ancient times. Before any vigorous activity the loose ends of clothing (tunics, cloaks, mantles, etc.) had to be gathered up and tucked into the wide band worn around the midsection of the body. The band (usually about six inches wide) also served as a kind of pocket or pouch to carry personal items such as a dagger, money or other necessary things. Gird up your mind or gird up your heart are examples of variants of this phrase and call for mental or spiritual preparation for a coming challenge.[c] 

 A reference to the Roman soldiers’ shoes which were studded with hobnails to give them stability on the battlefield.

 Here the Greek word refers to the large Roman soldiers’ shield designed to protect the entire body. It had an iron frame and was covered in several layers of leather. When soaked in water before a battle the shield could put out the fiery missiles thrown at them by the enemy.