Let’s take a detailed look at Ephesians 6:10-18: The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (ESV).
These verses express a call to arms. They are the “external counterpart of [Paul’s] emphasis on the inward growth and edification of the church” that he spoke of in Ephesians 4:12, 16[1]. We’ll explain this passage of Scripture verse by verse.
Verse 10: We get all we need from Christ. Every piece of armor described in the following verses speaks of Christ—we basically put on Christ, for He is truth (Jn. 14:6), righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30), the peace giver (Jn. 14:27), who we put our faith in (Rom. 10:9, 10), salvation (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 3:24), and the Word (Jn. 1:1, 14). Without Christ you can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). You cannot rely on Christ’s power if you are not in union with Him. If you are in union with Christ, we are strongest when we are weak, for Christ’s power is perfected in us in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).
Verse 11: “[W]hole armor” refers to the Roman infantryman, or hoplite. Paul was in prison at the time of this writing, and was probably using a Roman guard as a model for the armor. The Greek word for “stand” is a military term for holding a position. The point is that you can attack only when you are able to hold your own ground. From a Christian’s perspective, it shows that we are to withstand and stand against Satan’s continuous attacks. Christians are not to flee—they will not be protected, for the armor is covering the front only.
Verse 12: Humans are not our enemies; what drives them to do evil is. Satan and his demons wage war on God. Fortunately, God has already won that battle with the death and resurrection of Christ. In spite of this, Satan fights against all things good in a feeble attempt to overcome almighty God. Satan may win some people to himself, but the war will end with Christ’s coming and ultimate banishment of Satan and his followers into the abyss.
Verse 13: Because the enemies are spiritual, we are again admonished to use spiritual armor, God’s panoply (a complete set of armor), which He provides (and wears Himself. See Isa. 11:5; 59:17) that we must take up. Repetition means to pay attention to what is being said (note the number of times “stand” is used in all verses). When Christians “take up” the panoply of God, we are to never put it down; we are to wear it and use it our entire lives until we either die or are taken up to be with Christ—and we will, if we are truly His. “[S]tand firm”-if we take up the armor, then we will not yield even an inch to the evil one.
Verse 14: This and the following verses explain the armor in the order it would be put on. A tight “belt” showed that a soldier was ready for battle. The belt held the tunic up for easier movement, held the breastplate in place, and also held the scabbard. A Christian’s belt is comprised of “truth.” God’s Word and Christ are Truth; truth is light; light dispels darkness. Without truth, you cannot win against the evil of this world. The “breastplate” covered the neck to the thighs and was usually made of bronze. It was also known as a “heart-protector.”[2] Christ is our “righteousness.” Because Christ is in us, we are fully protected from defilement by Satan; Christ is our heart-protector.
Verse 15: Having good “shoes” gives an army a great advantage over the enemy, for they are able to travel faster over even rough terrain. A Roman soldier’s shoes were studded with nails to give them a better grip. Christians’ shoes, being comprised of the “gospel” of Jesus Christ that reconciles sinners to God and gives “peace” and a solid foundation on which to stand, will keep us rooted in place.
Verse 16: “In all circumstances” demonstrates the necessity and extreme importance of the next several pieces of armor, especially the shield. A Roman’s “shield” consisted of two layers of wood glued together and covered with linen and hide, bound with iron,[3] and sometimes soaked in water. This piece of armor was the most effective. Hundreds of “darts,” or arrows, dipped in pitch and ignited could be stopped and quenched with a single shield. In effect, it was like a door, covering the entire soldier’s body giving them a feeling of security. Our shield as Christians is our “faith.” Without faith, you have no salvation; you have no shield/protection from evil—you are Satan’s. But with faith, you win, you will stand, you are secure. Christ is our door (Jn. 10:9). By having faith, you put God in front of you, showing dependence on Him…what better protection could you get?!
Verse 17: The “helmet” was made of bronze with leather attachments. This and the following sword would be handed to the soldier, whereas all previous items would have been picked up. Our helmet is of “salvation,” which is given to us by God. It may refer to our hope of our future salvation (glorification), or it could suggest present salvation (sanctification), working out our salvation (Php. 2:12). A spear is the standard weapon of a hoplite, but because Paul was most likely in prison and using his Roman guards as models, a spear wouldn’t have been need being indoors. Paul uses the word “gladius,” a short, dual-edged “sword.” This is our only offensive weapon. Being “of the Spirit” could mean as supplied by the Spirit or used by the Spirit, or both simultaneously. The “word of God” is the spoken word by God; it is all powerful and effective. Jesus knew the power of God’s word (Mt. 4:1-10) and He will use it when He returns (Rev. 19:15). We must use God’s words to drive away Satan. For the sword to be useful, it must be removed from its scabbard; do not leave the Bible unopened; it is useful only if we know it and apply it.
Verse 18: We must always be “praying.” The wording suggests that prayer itself is not included as a weapon. We should “at all times” be in prayer, no matter the circumstances (1 Thes. 5:17). But because we are never to remove our armor and admonished to never stop praying, I feel that prayer is not only a weapon, but it is one of the best offensive weapons we as Christians have. “[I]n the Spirit” means to pray with the aid of and in the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:26). We are also to pray with “supplication,” praying for specific needs for the saints. We must pray for all Christians, the Church. Christians should always be in alliance with one another, fighting side-by-side, against their common enemy as a unified army, not against each other. We must always be on the “alert” for Satan and his schemes, and always “persevere” in the fight.
I believe these verses remind us that we must be pure and holy to prevail against evil, using God’s strength rather than our own. If you are a child of God, you are an enemy of the world (Jms. 4:4). We fight spiritual forces and are therefore called to stand against those under the influence of those forces. You must take a stand in this world against the things that are in opposition to God’s word, whether it be homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, animal abuse, etc. Your silence signifies acceptance. Don’t be silent; take up God’s armor and stand.
God Bless, Niki Ƹ>Ï<Ʒ
[1] Wood, A. Skevington, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981) 85.
[2] Ibid., 87.
[3] Ibid., 88.
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