What does Ephesians 6:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Peace, love, and faith are all important communal virtues in the Christian life. Peace was necessary because of the Jewish Gentile problems Paul wrote Ephesians to ameliorate ( Ephesians 2:14-16; Ephesians 3:15; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:3). Mutual love is the key to peace ( Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 3:17-18; Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:16), and mutual love rests on a common faith ( Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 3:17; Ephesians 4:5; cf. Galatians 5:6). The ultimate source of all three of these essential qualities is God and Jesus Christ, united here in perfect equality. [source][source]

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Context Summary

Many would be strong, but fail because they forget that they can be effectively so only "in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." Paul had a very vivid conception of the powerful forces that are arrayed against the Church. He is not dealing here especially with our personal temptations, but with those hosts of wicked spirits that lie behind the evil of the world. It is probable that the vast systems which oppose the gospel-the philosophies, temples, and priests of false religions; the trade in strong drink, impurity, and like evils; and such iniquitous institutions as the system of indentured slavery-are directly promoted and furthered by the agency of evil spirits in arms against God.

We must be pure and holy, if we are to prevail against evil; and especially must we give ourselves to prayer. To prevail in this warfare we must diligently employ the weapon of all prayer. Tychicus carried this letter. He was faithful to the end, Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12. The Epistle closes, as it began, with uncorrupted, that is, pure and eternal, love. Alford says, "This is the only truth worthy to be the crown and climax of this glorious Epistle." [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 6

¹  The duty of children toward their parents;
⁵  of servants toward their masters
¹⁰  Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also spiritual enemies
¹³  The complete armor of a Christian;
¹⁸  and how it ought to be used
²¹  Tychicus is commended