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by _Paidion » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:17 pm
It might be helpful to look some other passages which seem to use "in the Lord" in a similar manner:
Colossians 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
The idea seems to be that being "in the Lord", that is, being disciples of Christ, it is only fitting that wives be subject to their husbands.
1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
Sending hearty greetings is fitting for those who are in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 2:12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord.
Because Paul was in the Lord and operated in the Lord, it was only fitting that God should open a door for him to preach the gospel.
A few more to consider:
Ephesians 4:17 Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you.
Philippians 2:29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men.
It seems that in each case, people in the Lord do things or are expected to do things which further the Lord's purposes.
And so:
Ephesians 6:1 Children, listen to your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
It is my guess that Paul had in mind Christian families, families who are "in the Lord. In such families it is only fitting that children listen to their parents. When children obey their parents the Lord's will and purposes are being fulfilled.
There's no doubt in my mind that Paul is talking about natural parents here, and that the following verse is a quote from the law of Moses to back up his request.
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Paidion
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"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald