In the letter to the Ephesian church, Paul communicates very positively about God’s love and provision along with insights related to living for God and with others in a Godly way. In 6:10, he introduces us to something of the stern side of the Christian life: he tells us that there is a fight to be fought, that we are facing a powerful enemy. As Christians, we are saints (1:1), children (1:5), believers (1:13), servants (6:5) – but we are also soldiers (6:11; 2 Timothy 2:3-4), and as soldiers we are in a great conflict and have to fight (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). We, as believers, are engaged in WARFARE.
Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
- Grammatical Usage: “Finally” or in the Greek, “loipou” meaning, “from now on”; “strong” or “endynamousthe” meaning, “be empowered”; “strength” or “kratei” meaning, “dominion”; “might” or “ischyos” meaning, “absolute power.”
- Literal Interpretation: From now on be empowered—not in yourselves but in the dominion of the Lord, in the absolute power of his boundless resource.
- Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word, God continually uses His Word. In order that we may appreciate the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God if we are to be victorious soldiers in God’s army, let us first consider the nature of the conflict, then the character of the enemy, and finally, the key to victory.
- THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT
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- It is a real warfare. It is a literal fight against a literal enemy. Notice the word “against” occurs six times in 11-12.
- It is a conflict between real antagonists. Who are they? “The Lord” (6:10), and “the Devil” (6:11). The soldiers, or allies of the Lord are the believers in Christ. Notice the word ‘our’ in 12, which refers to the saints. The allies of Satan are also mentioned in v. 12.
- It is a fierce conflict per 12 – a deadly fight!
- It is a hand-to-hand conflict. It is as literal as any battle against “flesh and blood”, but it is ten thousand times more deadly for it is a conflict not with the human and visible, but with the superhuman and invisible (Luke 12:4-5).
- This is not far-fetched or fanciful, but it is God’s revealed truth. Let us accept it, for only by so doing shall we be fortified for the fray and spurred to “put on the full armor of God” ( 11).
- THE CHARACTER OF THE ENEMY
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- He is a real person. The names given to Satan indicate personality, and the actions attributed to him imply personality: deceiver, liar, murderer, accuser, tempter, prince, etc. Look up the following: Job 1:6; Isaiah 14:12; Matthew 4:10; 6:13; 9:34; 10:25; 25:41; Luke 4:12; John 8:44 and 12:31; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 3:5; and 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.
- He occupies an exalted position. He is “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), indicating his control over evil spirits; and he is “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), showing his domination in the lives of “those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2). He has a “kingdom” (Matthew 12:26); he is “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4); and he counterfeits true Christianity (1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Timothy 4:1 and Revelation 2:9).
- He is very powerful. His power is subtle (2 Corinthians 11:14); sinister (Colossians 1:13); supernatural (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and destructive (Hebrews 2:14) – and compare Acts 26:18.
- THE KEY TO VICTORY
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- We must recognize our Standing in Christ. Review 10 and notice that we are only strong “in the Lord”. There is no strength or ability to wage this warfare apart from the strength which is ours in Him. We are to stand and withstand, not in our own strength, but in His (vv. 11, 13-14).
- We must accept our Protection from Christ. This protection, provided by Him for our use, is “the full armor of God” ( 11; 13), five pieces being for defensive warfare, and one only for offensive warfare. There is no protection for the back because those who look longing back to their old life are useless – Luke 9:62! Our part is to “put on” these pieces:
- The belt of truth ( 14). As the belt encompassed the waist of the soldier, so truth must encompass our whole life (Psalm 51:6; John 8:32; 3 John 4). There must be no hypocrisy, unreality, insincerity or compromise.
- The breastplate of righteousness ( 14). This covers very vital organs. We must stand firm in Christ who is our righteousness, and we must be righteous in our life (i.e. right).
- The shoes of preparation ( 15). When tempted and tried, we are sustained by the experience of Philippians 4:7 and Isaiah 26:3.
- The shield of faith ( 16). Just as a shield can protect each part of the body, so faith must operate in respect to each aspect of our lives: physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
- The helmet of salvation ( 17). An unprotected mind is a ready prey to Satan’s deceptions, delusions and defilements.
- The sword of the Spirit ( 17). Compare Matthew 4: 4, 7 and 10 – “It is written…” – and Hebrews 4:12.
- We must maintain our Communion with Christ ( 18). This is essential for victory – “All prayer, at all seasons, with all perseverance.”
Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.
- Conclusion: As I am called, am I prepared as a soldier of the cross?