Ephesians 6:11
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil."
“Put on the whole
armour of God”: “Put on” conveys the idea of permanence,
indicating that armor should be the Christian’s sustained lifelong
attire. Paul uses the common armor worn by Roman soldiers as the
analogy for the believer’s spiritual defense and affirms its
necessity if one is to hold his position while under attack.
In order to take
advantage of the strength of God’s might, a believer must also put
on the full spiritual armor that He supplies (2 Cor. 10:3-5). “Put
on” carries the idea of once and for all, or permanence. The armor
of God is not something to be put on and taken off occasionally but
is something to by put on permanently. It is to be the Christian’s
lifelong companion. It provides believers with divine power from “Him
who is able to keep you for stumbling, and to make you stand in the
presence of His glory blameless with great joy (Jude 24).
“Put on” (Greek
ingressive aorist imperative) denotes a sense of urgency, demanding
immediate action. “To stand” has military overtones. This verb
was used in classical Greek meaning to resist the enemy and hold a
critical position in battle. “The wiles of the devil” (or, “the
Devil’s strategy”): Satan carefully devises schemes and tactics
against believers.
“Wiles”: Wiles
or schemes are a Greek word that carries the idea of cleverness,
crafty methods, cunning, and deception. Satan’s schemes are
propagated through the evil world system over which he rules, and are
carried out by his demon hosts. “Wiles” is all inclusive,
encompassing every sin, immoral practice, false theology, false
religion and worldly enticement.
“Schemes”
carries the idea of craftiness, cunning, and deception. The term was
often used of a wild animal that cunningly stalked and then
unexpectedly pounced on its prey. Satan’s evil schemes (wiles) are
built around stealth and deception.
Christians are
really in a war. We are soldiers in God's army. The greatest battle
is between the flesh and the spirit. The prize they are after is the
soul, or the will of man.
Paul wrote this
scripture while he was chained to a soldier, so it was not difficult
for him to use the dress of a soldier ready for battle as an example
of what we must wear as armor in God's army.
“The devil”:
Scripture refers to him as “the anointed cherub” (Ezek. 28:14),
“the ruler of the demons” (Luke 11:15), “the god of this world”
(2 Cor. 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph.
2:2). Scripture depicts him opposing God’s work (Zech. 3:1),
perverting God’s Word (Matt. 4:6), hindering God’s servant (1
Thess. 2:18), hindering the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4), snaring the
righteous (1 Thess. 3:7), and holding the world in his power (1 John
5:19).
This fallen
archangel and his fallen angels who became demons have been tempting
and corrupting mankind since the Fall. They are an evil, formidable,
cunning, powerful and invisible foe against whom no human being in
his power and resources is a match.
In this life, we are
in daily conflict with the devil and his army. Life is a battle
ground. Preparation is necessary to fight any battle. Jesus fought
the devil with the Word of God. Our strength is in the Lord and in
His Word {Bible}.
Evidence of Satan’s
great power and deception can be seen in the fact that, despite God’s
miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt, His immeasurable
blessings, protection and provision in the wilderness and in Canaan,
His chosen people repeatedly fell for Satan’s seductions,
worshiping the hideous and demonic idols of paganism.
After all the
predictions of the Messiah given in the Old Testament and after
Jesus’ preaching, teaching, and miraculous healings, Satan managed
to induce Israel to reject and crucify her own Messiah! In the last
days his final deception of Israel will be to persuade her that the
antichrist is instead the Christ (Dan. 9:26-27).
Ephesians 6:12
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]."
“Wrestle”:
Wrestle or struggle which is a term used of hand to hand combat.
Struggling or wrestling features trickery and deception, like Satan
and his hosts when they attack. Coping with deceptive temptation
requires truth and righteousness.
The four
designations describe the different strata and rankings of those
demons and the evil supernatural empire in which they operate.
Satan’s forces of darkness are highly structured for the most
destructive purposes (Col 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22).
Paul here reminds
his readers that the Christian’s struggle is not only against Satan
himself but also against a host of his demon subordinates, a vast
array of adversaries who, like the devil, are not flesh and blood.
Our greatest enemy is not the world we see, corrupt and wicked as it
is, but the world we cannot see.
“Not against flesh
and blood”: (See 2 Cor. 10:3-5).
“Spiritual
wickedness”: This possibly refers to the most depraved abomination,
including such things as extreme sexual perversions, occultism, and
Satan worship.
“In high places”:
As in 1:3; 3:10, this refers to the entire realm of spiritual beings.
“Rulers … powers
… rulers of the darkness … spiritual wickedness” describe the
different strata and rankings of those demons and the evil,
supernatural empire in which they operate. Human beings who promote
paganism, the occult, and various other ungodly and immoral movements
and programs are but dupes of Satan and his demons, trapped by sin
into unwittingly helping to fulfill his schemes.
The demonic
categories are not explained, but rulers no doubt reflects a high
order of demons (linked with “authorities” in Col. 2:15), powers
are another rank (mentioned in 1 Peter 3:22), and world forces of
this darkness perhaps refers to demons who have infiltrated various
political systems of the world, attempting to pattern them after
Satan’s realm of darkness (see Dan. 10:13; Col. 1:13).
The spiritual forces
of wickedness are possibly those demons who are involved in the most
wretched and vile immoralities, such as extremely perverse sexual
proactive, the occult, Satan worship and the like. Paul’s purpose
is not to explain the details of the demonic hierarchy but to give us
some idea of its sophistication and power. We are pitted against an
incredibly evil and potent enemy. But our need is not to specifically
recognize every feature of our adversary but to turn to God who is
our powerful and trustworthy source of protection and victory.
Several activities
in the Bible may involve demons. Sometimes they cause physical
disease or mental suffering. However, not all mental disorders are
demonic in origin. Demons also tempt people into immoral practices.
They originate and propagate false doctrines taught by demons (Mark
1:23).
Although demons are
committed to do evil, God will use them to accomplish His plan during
the end of the age (Rev. 16:14).
Demons are also
objects of worship in various occult practices forbidden by God.
These include divination (an illegitimate means of determining the
will of God), necromancy (efforts to communicate with and interrogate
the dead), magic (using formulas and incantations), sorcery (perhaps
the nonmedical use of drugs), witchcraft and astrology (Deut.
18:10-12).
Dealing with demons
in one’s Christian life is not a matter of finding the technique to
send them away, but of being committed to the spiritual means of
grace that purifies the soul, so that there is no unclean place that
demons could occupy or by which they might gain advantage. James
gives the only formula for deliverance from the demons or the devil
himself: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James
4:7).
When the Ephesian
Christians who were “dabbling” in the occult repented, there was
a great revival in that place. No Christian can ever justify his
participation in demonic activities (Exodus 7:11; Hebrew 1:4).
“Wrestle,” used
of hand to hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature
of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian.
“Flesh and blood” refers to humanity. Such is not the church’s
adversary.
Instead she opposed
“principalities (rulers), “powers” (authorities), rulers (world
rulers), “Spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is,
fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.
One thing that we
must do to fight against our enemy, is to learn who he is and, what
are his tactics. That is what the above verse is about. The enemy
that you cannot see with your physical eye is the most dangerous,
because you do not know when he is on the attack, or just which way
he is coming from.
This is a spiritual
battle, spoken of here. The devil {old Lucifer} and his angels
{demons, or devil spirits} are the enemy. His tactics are to tempt
the flesh of man. The flesh of man is earthy. These are real battles.
The Father has
delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the
kingdom of His beloved Son (read Col. 1:11-13). No Christian is any
longer in Satan’s domain and every Christian has the resources of
God’s own Holy Spirit within him to free himself from any demonic
entanglement, no matter how severe. Where sin is confessed and put
away, Satan and his demons are expelled.
We are to put on
God’s armor and report to Him, perfectly confident in the knowledge
that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world” (1
John 4:4). The very “gates of Hades shall not overpower” Christ’s
church (Matthew 16:18).
Ephesians 6:13
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
“Wherefore”
means because of this,” That is, because we face such a formidable
foe, we must avail ourselves of God’s provision lest the enemy
destroy our Christian witness and ministry.
“Wherefore take
unto you the whole armour of God”: Paul again emphasized the
necessity of the Christian’s appropriating God’s full spiritual
armor by obedience in taking it up, or putting it on, verse 11.
It is possible to
live the Christian life in lethargy, indifference and in perfect
satisfaction with the way things are, and still spend eternity with
the Lord, because He has eternally secured the salvation of every
believer (John 10:28-29). We cannot lose the ultimate war, because we
belong to the Lord and the battle is His.
But we disregard
obedience to Him at great cost. We bring our heavenly Father and
ourselves grief instead of joy; we leave lost souls in darkness and
damnation instead of bringing them to the light of salvation; and we
see our work burned up with fire like so much hay, as we forfeit the
reward that faithful service would bring.
The first three
pieces of armor, girdle, breastplate and shoes/boots, verses 14-15,
were worn continually on the battlefield; the last three, shield,
helmet and sword, verses 16-17, were kept ready for use when actual
fighting began.
“The evil day”:
“Having done all, to stand”: Standing firm against the enemy
without wavering or falling is the goal.
“The evil day”
refers to the periodic demonic onslaughts and satanic assaults.
“Having done all” includes both dressing oneself in God’s armor
and resisting Satan. Having done all these be ready, for the Devil
will attack again and again. Since the fall of man, every day has
been evil, a condition that will persist until the Lord returns and
establishes His own righteous kingdom on earth. This evil day is
probably many different days. The battle sometimes stops for a day or
two, but it starts up again when you least expect it. Our job is to
be ready and then stand.
The soldier's job is
to stand and remain standing regardless of what the enemy sends your
way. Our strength in this battle must come from within. Christ in us
gives us the strength to stand firm in the battle.
But even the most
willing and eager soldier of Christ is helpless without God’s
provision. We have His provision in being His children, in having His
Word, in possessing His indwelling Holy Spirit, of having every
resource of our heavenly Father. God is our strength, but His
strength is appropriated only through obedience; His mighty armor
must be put on (verse 11) and taken up (verse 13).
Some believers have
done everything well in the Lord’s work, but they do not continue
to stand firm. The issue is not in what a believer has done, but,
when the battle is over and the smoke clears, whether he is found
standing true to the Savior.
Verses 14-17: The
whole armor of God consists of six pieces.
1.
“Truth”, verse 14a, is a knowledge of the truth of God’s
Word, 4:21. The ancient soldiers “loins” (“waist”) were “girt
about” with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of
his armor in place. Similarly, the other pieces of the Christian’s
armor depend on, and are held in place by, his spiritual “belt”
or his knowledge of the “truth” of Scripture.
2.
“The breastplate of righteousness, verse 14b, may be read
“the breastplate which is righteousness.” It represents a holy
character and moral conduct. Obedience to the “truth” known
produces a godly life (“righteousness”).
3.
“Preparation of the gospel of peace”, verse 15, means
“eagerness that comes from the gospel of peace.” That is, as the
Roman soldier wore special shoes called caligae on his feet, enabling
him to advance against his enemy, so the Christian must have on his
feet (possess) as sense of “eagerness” or “willingness” to
advance against the Devil and take the fight to him. Such “eagerness”
to contend with Satan “comes from the gospel of peace.” The
gospel gives peace to the believer, freeing him from anxiety though
he advances against such a powerful opponent.
4.
“The shield of” (which is) “faith”, verse 16, means
taking God at His word by believing His promises. Such trust will
protect one from doubts induced by Satan.
5.
“The helmet of salvation, verse 17a: Since the readers are
already Christians, 2:8, they are not here urged to be saved. 1
Thessalonians 5:8 describes this helmet as “the hope of salvation”
that is, the certainty (assurance) of salvation.
6.
“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, verse
17b: The Greek term rendered “word” is not logos, referring to
the whole Word of God, but rhema, referring to certain portions or
selected verses of Scripture.
Ephesians 6:14
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness;"
“Stand therefore”:
For the third time the apostle calls Christians to take a firm
position in the spiritual battle against Satan and his minions (See
verses 11, 13).
Satan attacks
believers through doctrinal confusion and falsehood. Christians who
are untaught in God’s Word fall easy prey to wrong ideas about the
things of God, about salvation, sanctification, morality, heaven and
hell, the second coming and every other biblical truth. The believer
who is confused about God’s Word cannot be effective in God’s
work. He is “tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by
every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14).
Whether confronting
Satan’s effort to distrust God, forsaking obedience, producing
doctrinal confusion and falsehood, hindering service to God, bringing
division, serving God in the flesh, living hypocritically, being
worldly, or in any other way rejecting biblical obedience, this armor
is our defense.
Such as when a young
child dies or is permanently crippled, a husband or wife is taken
away, a child turns away from the Lord, or we lose our business, job
or our health, Satan or his demons may attempt to generate thoughts
in the mind that place the blame on God. This arena of conflict also
involves attacking the truthfulness and sufficiency of Scripture.
“Girt … with
truth”: The soldier wore a tunic of loose fitting cloth. Since
ancient combat was largely hand to hand, a loose tunic was a
potential hindrance and danger. A belt was necessary to cinch up the
loosely hanging material. Girding up was a matter of pulling in the
loose ends as preparation for battle.
The belt that pulls
all the spiritual loose ends in is “truth” or better,
“truthfulness”. The idea is of sincere commitment to fight and
win without hypocrisy – self discipline in devotion to victory.
Everything that hinders is tucked away; (2 Tim. 2:4; Heb. 12:1). We
are to be tightly secure in the Truth of God. We are to hold fast to
the Truth.
“The breastplate
of righteousness”: The breastplate was usually a tough, sleeveless
piece of leather or heavy material with animal horn or hoof pieces
sewn on, covering the soldier’s full torso, protecting his heart
and other vital organs. Because righteousness or holiness, is such a
distinctive characteristic of God Himself, it is not hard to
understand why that is the Christians’ chief protection against
Satan and his schemes.
The breastplate of
righteousness that we put on as spiritual armor against our adversary
is the practical righteousness of a life lived in obedience to God’s
Word (the putting on of righteous behavior in line with the “new
self” in 4:24-27, which having been done, will “not give the
devil an opportunity”).
As believers
faithfully live in obedience to and communion with Jesus Christ, His
own righteousness produces in them the practical, daily righteousness
that becomes their spiritual breastplate. Lack of holiness, on the
other hand, leaves them vulnerable to the great enemy of their souls
(Isa. 59:17; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 5:8).
Being filled with
God’s Word but not obedient to His Spirit has caused the downfall
of many believers. Right doctrine with right devotion is a serious
pitfall for many Christians. The person who trusts in his own
understanding instead of the Lord Himself, (Proverbs 3:5) plays into
Satan’s hands. This very church at Ephesus within a few years
became cold and mechanical in the expression of its orthodoxy. Right
theology without deep devotion to Christ cannot prevent the death of
a church.
To put on the
breastplate of righteousness is to live in daily, moment by moment
obedience to our heavenly Father. This part of God’s armor is holy
living for which God supplies the standard and the power but for
which we must supply the willingness. God Himself puts on our imputed
righteousness, but we must put on our practical righteousness.
Not to be armored
with the breastplate of righteousness will first of all cost the
Christian his joy. John’s first epistle contains many warnings and
commands to believers, and these are given, along with the other
truths of the letter “so that our joy may be made complete” (1
John 1:4). In other words, lack of obedience brings lack of joy. The
only joyful Christian is the obedient Christian. Once saved, unholy
living does not rob us of salvation, but it robs us of salvation’s
joy.
The breastplate
covers the heart. The righteousness that we have is the righteousness
of Christ. We are clothed in His righteousness. It was His precious
shed blood that made us righteous {in right standing with God}.
We have a brand new
heart washed in the blood of the Lamb. The heart of the Christian has
the law of God etched into the fleshly part of the heart. Our heart
is stayed upon God.
Ephesians 6:15
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;"
“Shod with …
gospel of peace”: Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to
grip the ground in combat. The gospel of peace pertains to the good
news that, through Christ, believers is at peace with God and He is
on their side (Rom. 5:6-10).
A Christian’s
spiritual footwear is equally important in his warfare against the
schemes of the devil. If he has carefully girded his loins with truth
and put on the breastplate of righteousness, but does not properly
shod his feet with the preparation of the gospel, he is destined to
stumble, fall, and suffer many defeats. Preparation has the general
meaning of readiness.
In this passage the
gospel of peace refers to the good news that believers are at peace
with God. The unsaved person is helpless, ungodly, sinful and an
enemy of God (Romans 5:6-10). The saved person, on the other hand, is
reconciled to God through faith in His Son, verses 10-11. It is that
confidence of divine support which allows the believer to stand firm,
knowing that since he is at peace with God, God is his strength (see
Romans 8:31, 37-39).
Our feet are secure
in the good news of the gospel. In Leviticus, we find that the big
toe of the right foot was covered in the blood, so that our walk was
pure before God. This just means here, that our walk is steadfast,
grounded, and secure in the good news of Jesus.
The believer who
stands in the Lord’s power need not fear any enemy, even Satan
himself. When he comes to attack us, our feet are rooted firmly on
the solid ground of the gospel of peace, through which God changed
from our enemy to our defender. We who were once His enemies are now
His children, and our heavenly Father offers us His full resources to
“be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Eph.
6:10).
Ephesians 6:16
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
“Above all”
introduces the last three pieces of armor. The first were for long
range preparation and protection and were never taken off on the
battlefield. The shield, helmet and sword, on the other hand, were
kept in readiness for use when actual fighting began, hence the verbs
in verses 16-17, taking and take.
“The shield of
faith”: The Greek word usually refers to the large shield (2.5 x
4.5 feet) that protected the entire body. The faith to which Paul
refers is not the body of Christian doctrine (as the term is used in
4:13) but basic trust in God, the faith in Christ that appropriates
salvation and continues to bring blessing and strength as it trusts
Him for daily provision and help.
The believer’s
continual trust in God’s word and promise is “in addition to all”
necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All
sin comes when the victim falls to Satan’s lies and promises of
pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing.
The substance of
Christianity is believing that God exists and that He rewards those
who seek Him (Heb. 11:6); putting total trust in His Son as the
crucified, buried, risen and ascended Savior; obeying Scripture as
His infallible and authoritative Word; and looking forward to the
Lord’s coming again.
“Fiery darts”:
Temptations are likened to the flaming arrows shot by the enemy and
quenched by the oil treated leather shield (Psalm 18:30; Prov.
30:5-6; 1 John 5:4). The spiritual flaming missiles against which
believers need protection would seem primarily to be temptations.
Satan continually
bombards God’s children with temptations to immorality, hatred,
envy, anger, covetousness, pride, doubt, fear, despair, distrust, and
every other sin. The purpose of all of Satan’s missiles, therefore,
is to cause believers to forsake their trust in God, to drive a wedge
between the Savior and the saved.
Without faith, it is
impossible to please God. Our faith in God causes us to be able to
ward off attacks from the devil and his crowd. We should have so much
faith that we could move a mountain of problems, if necessary. Let us
look at Abraham the father of faith, and see what God promised him.
Genesis 15:1 "After
these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision,
saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great
reward."
Faith then is the
shield.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God:"
“The helmet of
salvation”: The helmet protected the head, always a major target in
battle. Paul is speaking to those who are already saved and is
therefore not speaking here about attaining salvation. Rather, Satan
seeks to destroy a believer’s assurance of salvation with his
weapons of doubt and discouragement.
Since Paul is
addressing believers, putting on the helmet of salvation cannot refer
to receiving Christ as Savior. The only ones who can take up any
piece of God’s armor, and the only ones who are involved in this
supernatural struggle against Satan and his demon forces, are those
who are already saved.
This is clear from
Paul’s reference to the helmet as “the hope of salvation” (Isa.
59:17).
The fact that the
helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are
directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ. The
two dangerous edges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are
discouragement and doubt. To discourage us he points to our failures,
our sins, our unresolved problems, our poor health, or to whatever
else seems negative in our lives in order to make us lose confidence
in the love and care of our heavenly Father.
Satan’s most
disturbing attack against believers is in tempting them to believe
they have lost, or could lose, their salvation. Few things are more
paralyzing, unproductive or miserable that insecurity. Jesus said,
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace”
(John 16:33) How can a doubting heart have peace?
How can a person who
lives in continual uncertainty about his salvation be comforted by
such promises, when he is not sure that they apply to him or that
they will always apply to him? If he loses his salvation, he
obviously loses those promises as well. How could such a person not
have a troubled and fearful heart? Those promises would be a mockery
to him.
But although a
Christian’s feelings about his salvation may be seriously damaged
by Satan inspired doubt, his salvation itself is eternally protected
and he need not fear its loss. Knowing Satan’s strategy, Jesus
assures us that “all that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and
the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out … And this is
the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose
nothing, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:37, 39).
Absolutely no circumstance, no failure, shortcoming, or sin, no
matter how serious, can cause either Jesus or His Father to disown a
person who is saved.
Satan wants to curse
the believer with doubts, but the Christian can be strong in God’s
promises of eternal salvation in Scripture (John 6:37-39; 10:28-29;
Romans 5:10; 8:31-39; Phil. 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Security is a fact;
assurance is a feeling that comes to the obedient Christian (1 Peter
3:1-10).
The helmet of
salvation is that great hope of final salvation that gives us
confidence and assurance that our present struggle with Satan will
not last forever and we will be victorious in the end. We know the
battle is only for this life, and even a long earthly life is no more
that a split second compared to eternity with our Lord in heaven. We
are not in a race we can lose.
“The sword of the
Spirit”: As the sword was the soldier’s only weapon, so God’s
Word is the only needed weapon, infinitely more powerful than any of
Satan’s.
The Greek term
refers to a small weapon (6 to 8 inches long). It was used both
defensively to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to help
destroy the enemy’s strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.
“Of the Spirit”
can also be translated “by the Spirit” or as “spiritual,”
referring to the nature of the sword rather than its source. From the
context we know that it is a spiritual weapon, to be used in our
struggle against spiritual enemies. As the Spirit of truth (John
14:7), the Holy Spirit is the believer’s resident truth Teacher,
who teaches us all things and brings God’s Word to our remembrance
(verse 26).
The sword of the
spirit is first of all a defensive weapon, capable of deflecting the
blows of an opponent. It is the believer’s supreme weapon of
defense against the onslaughts of Satan. Unlike the shield, however,
which gives broad and general protection, the sword can deflect an
attack only if it is handled precisely and skillfully. It must parry
the enemy weapon exactly where the thrust is made.
When Jesus was
tempted by Satan in the wilderness, His defense for each temptation
was a passage of Scripture that precisely contradicted the devil’s
word (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). The Christian who doesn’t know God’s
Word well cannot use it well. Satan will invariably find out where we
are ignorant or confused and attack us there.
Christians who rely
simply on their experience of salvation and their feelings to get
them through are vulnerable to every sort of spiritual danger. They
get into countless compromising situations and fall prey to
innumerable false ideas and practices, simply because they are
ignorant of the specific teachings of Scripture.
The helmet covers
the head. This is just saying that our mind is stayed on the fact
that we are saved. A mind stayed upon the Lord will not be swayed
with false religion made attractive to the mind of man. Our weapon is
the Word of God. Spirit, here, is the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God is
made clear to our understanding by the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit, it sets us on fire to carry
the true Word of God to all who will receive it.
The two most
powerful things in the world today are the spoken and the written
Word of God. Win battles for God with the Word of God.
The truly
surrendered life is the life committed to aggressive, confrontive and
unreserved obedience to all of God’s commands.
The Word of God is
so powerful it transforms men from the realm of falsehood to that of
truth, from the realm of darkness to that of light, and from the
realm of sin and death to that of righteousness and life. It changes
sadness into joy, despair into hope, stagnation into growth,
childishness into maturity, and failure into success.
No believer has an
excuse for not knowing and understanding God’s Word. Every believer
has God’s own Holy Spirit within Him as his own divine teacher of
God’s divine Word. Our only task is to submit to His instruction by
studying the Word with sincerity and commitment. We cannot plead
ignorance or inability, only disinterest and neglect.
Ephesians 6:18
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;"
This verse
introduces the general character of a believer’s prayer life.
1.
“All prayer and supplication” focuses on the variety;
2.
“Praying always” focuses on the frequency (Rom. 12:12;
Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17)
3.
“In the Spirit” focuses on submission, as we line up with
the will of God (Romans 8:26-27)
4.
“Watching thereunto” focuses on the manner (Matt. 26:41;
Mark 13:33)
5.
“All perseverance” focuses on the persistence (Luke 11:9;
18:7-8)
6.
“All saints” focuses on the objects (1 Sam. 12:23).
All the while that
we are fighting in the girdle of truth, the breastplate of
righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith,
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be in
prayer. Prayer is the very spiritual air that the soldier of Christ
breathes. It is the all pervasive strategy in which warfare is
fought.
“Praying” is
grammatically linked to “stand” in verse 14. Without prayer God’s
armor is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable.
“Always means “on every occasion,” that is when Satan attacks.
“In the Spirit" signifies that with the Spirit’s help such
prayer for divine aid is to be made.
We are to be
involved in all kinds of prayer, every form of prayer that is
appropriate. We may pray publicly or privately; in loud cries, in
soft whispers, or silently; deliberately and planned or
spontaneously; while sitting, standing, kneeling, or even lying down;
at home or in church; while working or while traveling; with hands
folded or raised; with eyes open or closed; with head bowed or erect.
The New Testament,
like the Old Testament, mentions many forms, circumstances, and
postures for prayer but prescribes none. Jesus prayed while standing,
while sitting, while kneeling, and quite probably in other positions
as well. We can pray wherever we are and in whatever situation we are
in. “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray” (1 Tim.
2:8), Paul said. For the faithful, Spirit filled Christian; every
place becomes a place of prayer.
To pray at all times
is to live in continual God consciousness, where everything we see
and experience becomes a kind of prayer, lived in deep awareness of
and surrender to our heavenly Father. To obey this exhortation means
that, when we are tempted, we hold the temptation before God and ask
for His help. When we experience something good and beautiful, we
immediately thank the Lord for it. When we see evil around us, we
pray that God will make it right and be willing to be used of Him to
the end.
When we meet someone
who does not know Christ, we pray for God to draw that person to
Himself and to use us to be a faithful witness. When we encounter
trouble, we turn to God as our Deliverer. In other words, our life
becomes a continually ascending prayer, a perpetual communing with
our heavenly Father. To pray at all times is to constantly set our
minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth
(Col. 3:2).
To pray in the
Spirit is to pray in the name of Christ, to pray consistent with His
nature and will. To pray in the Spirit is to pray in concert with the
Spirit, who “helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as
we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings
too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the
mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according
to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
As the “Spirit of
grace and of supplication” (Zech. 12:10), the Holy Spirit
continually prays for us; and for us to pray rightly is to pray as He
prays, to join our petitions to His and our will to His. It is to
line up our minds and desires with His mind and desires, which are
consistent with the will of the Father and the Son.
To be “filled with
the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18) and to walk in His leading and power is to
be made able to pray in the Spirit, because our prayer will then be
in harmony with His. As we submit to the Holy Spirit, obeying His
Word and relying on His leading and strength, we will be drawn into
close and deep fellowship with the Father and the Son.
To pray in the right
manner also involves praying specifically. “Whatever you ask in My
name,” Jesus promised, “that will I do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do
it” (John 14:13). God answers prayers in order to put His power on
display, and when we do not pray specifically, He cannot answer
specifically and thereby clearly display His power and His love for
His children.
To pray, as young
children often do, “God bless the whole world,” is really not to
pray at all. We must think about particular people, particular
problems, particular needs, and then pray about those things
specifically and earnestly, so that we can see God’s answer and
offer Him our thankful praise.
Most Christians
never get serious about prayer until a problem arises in their own
life or in the life of someone they love. Then they are inclined to
pray intently, specifically, and persistently. Yet that is the way
Christians should always pray. Sensitivity to problems and needs of
others, especially other believers who are facing trails or
hardships, will lead us to pray for them “night and day” as Paul
did for Timothy (2 Tim. 1:3).
“Watching
thereunto” means “being vigilant in the very matter” of prayer.
They are to pray not just for themselves but also “for all saints;”
spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.
"Supplication",
here, means petition. So many people do not realize the power of
praying in the Spirit. That is when you have run out of words to say,
and you let the Spirit of God pray through you for the matter.
God knows just
exactly what to pray for. Not only are we to petition God for
ourselves in prayer, but for all the believers in Christ called
saints.
Verses 19-20: Paul
seeks their prayers in his behalf, that he may “boldly” (or,
plainly) “make known the … gospel” verse 19, and “speak” it
“boldly” as it ought to be preached, verse 20.
Paul does not ask
for prayer for his personal well being or physical comfort in the
imprisonment from which he wrote, but for boldness and faithfulness
to continue proclaiming the gospel to the unsaved no matter what the
cost.
Ephesians 6:19
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may
open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Paul did not plead
or pray on his behalf, in order that his ankles, raw and sore from
his shackles, might be healed, or that he might be freed from prison
and suffering. His deep concern was that utterance may be given unto
me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the
mystery of the gospel.
When Satan tempted
him to keep quiet about Christ, he wanted God’s help to be bold and
faithful to proclaim the gospel. He wanted help in his own battle
against Satan, and he pleaded with his brothers and sisters at
Ephesus to pray toward that end. Paul also needed the prayers of
fellow believers because he was a leader. Our enemy knows that when
he strikes the shepherd, the sheep will scatter.
This "utterance"
of speaking boldly about the mystery of God is speaking as an oracle
of God. I call this letting the Lord speak through your mouth. Each
time a minister preaches, he or she, should be allowing God to speak
to the people through them.
The boldness comes
when you realize that it is not you speaking in your own might, but
God speaking through you.
Ephesians 6:20
"For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak
boldly, as I ought to speak."
Even in prison it
was important to Paul that he would make known with boldness the
mystery of the gospel, because it was his own boldness that attracted
the Praetorian Guard to the gospel and that inspired boldness in
other witnessing Christians. Even when he requested prayer for
himself, Paul’s purpose and motive were selfless, to further the
gospel, to encourage other believers and to glorify his Lord.
We have mentioned
before, that an ambassador does not express his own opinion, but is a
glorified message carrier for the one who sent him. Paul is saying, I
can be bold, because this is God's message to you, not my message.
Verses 21-22:
“Tychicus”, a convert from Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who was
with the apostle during his first imprisonment in Rome, from where
this epistle was written, see 3:1. He accompanied Paul in taking an
offering to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-6) and was sent by him
on several missions (1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12).
Ephesians 6:21
"But that ye also may know my affairs, [and] how I do, Tychicus,
a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known
to you all things:"
Realizing that the
Ephesian Christians could not pray specifically or intelligently for
him without more information, Paul added, But that you also may know
about my circumstance, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother
and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may
know about us.
Tychicus, an Asian,
had been chosen to accompany Paul and the others in taking the relief
offering to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-6), was with Paul during his first
Roman imprisonment, and was frequently sent on missions by the
apostle. He not only delivered this letter for Paul but the one to
Colossae as well, in both cases being instructed to give the
recipients additional information about the apostle’s situation
(Col. 4:7-9).
In both cases of
these texts he is called the beloved brother, because he was
especially dear to Paul.
Ephesians 6:22
"Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might
know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts."
Tychicus was going
to give them a report on the condition of Paul in his captivity. Paul
did not want to write of himself, but would let others report on his
welfare. He explains that they can trust him, because he is a brother
in Christ. Paul knew that a personal word from someone who had been
with him recently would be an comfort to their hearts.
Paul had confided
all of the personal news to him, and he would bring this news to the
church at Ephesus. Paul knew their great fear of prison, and he
wanted them to know that he was not suffering in prison. The man in
chains sought to comfort others.
Verses 23-24: This
beautiful benediction sums up the major themes of this very personal
letter, reminding readers of the peace (verse 15; 1:2; 2:14, 15, 17;
4:3), love (1:15; 4:2, 4: 15-16; 5:25, 28, 33), and faith (verse 16;
1:15; 2:8; 3:12, 17; 4:5, 13) from God and Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:23
"Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This is a typical
benediction from Paul. The only real peace is in Jesus. Paul is
trying to convey to them that God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ brings peace, and love, if they have enough faith to receive
it.
In its beautiful
clarity and simple dignity, the apostle’s closing benediction
resists being analyzed. It is not unlike others of Paul’s
benedictions, yet it seems uniquely to reflect the themes of this
rich epistle. Certainly peace, love, and faith are recurring
touchstones in the thought of this great letter. Little wonder Paul
gathers all three together and prays that they would be the
experience and commitment of all believers.
Ephesians 6:24
"Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen."
Grace, or divine
favor, was the gift Paul desired for all those who love our Lord
Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible. That is the love that belongs
to true believers; so Paul is really identifying the ones who will
receive grace as only those whose love is not temporary and thus
untrue but permanent and thus genuine!
Unmerited favor
"[grace]' be with all who love Jesus Christ and walk in His
ways.
Romans 8:38-39 "For
I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,"
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
To apply obediently
in the power of the Holy Spirit the principles of peace, love and
faith taught in this epistle will yield to every believer the
blessing and favor of God.
