Ephesians 6:10-20 · Ephesians

Armor of God

Paul encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against evil. He describes the spiritual armor as truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God, and emphasizes the importance of prayer.

Summary

The passage from Ephesians 6:10-20 is a letter written by Paul to the Ephesians while he is in prison, around 60-62 AD. In this section, Paul addresses the believers, urging them to find strength in the Lord and His mighty power. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness, as they face not just physical adversaries but spiritual forces of evil. This sets the stage for his instructions on how to prepare for these spiritual battles.

Paul instructs the Ephesians to put on the "whole armor of God" to stand firm against the devil's schemes (6:11). He explains that their struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (6:12). He lists the components of this spiritual armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness (6:14), footwear of the gospel of peace (6:15), the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the wicked (6:16), the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (6:17). Paul also emphasizes the importance of prayer, urging them to pray in the Spirit and remain alert (6:18).

The passage concludes with Paul asking for prayers for himself, so he can boldly proclaim the gospel, despite being in chains (6:19-20). The final state of affairs is a call to action for the Ephesians to be spiritually vigilant and prepared. Paul presents the significance of these instructions as the means by which believers can stand firm in their faith and effectively withstand spiritual challenges.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Ephesians 6:10-11

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God...”

B

Ephesians 6:13-17

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

A'

Ephesians 6:19-20

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly...”

Both A and A' emphasize the need for strength and boldness in the Lord, with A focusing on the individual and A' on Paul's personal mission.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The passage from Ephesians 6:10-20 primarily communicates the necessity for believers to equip themselves with spiritual resources to confront and endure spiritual challenges. Paul emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare, urging the Ephesians to draw strength from God's power. This spiritual armor is depicted through metaphoric components that symbolize virtues such as truth, righteousness, and faith. The aim is for believers to remain steadfast against spiritual adversaries, highlighting the importance of preparedness and perseverance, as seen in verses 11-13.

The Evangelical Protestant interpretation views this passage as a literal call to engage in spiritual warfare against demonic forces. This reading finds support in verses 11 and 12, which explicitly mention the devil's schemes and spiritual wickedness. The language of battle and armor suggests a direct confrontation with evil entities that are not of flesh and blood. This tradition emphasizes the urgency and reality of such spiritual battles, encouraging believers to actively utilize spiritual tools to resist demonic influences.

In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox tradition understands spiritual warfare as an internal struggle against passions and evil thoughts. This perspective sees the armor of God as a metaphor for inner virtues that protect the soul. The focus is on cultivating personal holiness and integrity, as illustrated by the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness (6:14). The Orthodox view underlines the transformative power of these virtues to guard against internal spiritual corruption rather than external demonic attacks.

Considering both interpretations, the passage invites an understanding of spiritual warfare that encompasses both external and internal dimensions. While Evangelical Protestants emphasize the external battle with demonic forces, the Eastern Orthodox tradition highlights the internal battle against one's own sinful inclinations. Together, these readings suggest that spiritual preparedness requires addressing both external threats and internal weaknesses. This dual approach underscores the comprehensive nature of the spiritual armor, equipping believers to withstand challenges both within and outside themselves.

Continue reading with a Scholar plan

Upgrade to Scholar