Put on the Whole Armor of God (1) Ephesians 6:10-13 Studies in Ephesians Put on the Whole Armor of God (1) Ephesians 6:10-13
Be strong in the Lord (6:10) Strong – to be enabled, able to accomplish what is intended. Romans 4:20 – Abraham was strengthened Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things 2 Timothy 4:17 – Paul not alone, strengthened by the Lord We have what we need to accomplish EVERYTHING Paul has addressed in this letter!
Be strong in the Lord (6:10) Strong IN HIM– not in any other source, but in Christ. Cf. Ephesians 1:7, 10, 11, etc. And in the power of His might cf. Ephesians 1:18 – power – ability to demonstrate one’s strength might – to function effectively, with force and vigor
Put on the Whole Armor (6:11) Put on the whole armor – take measures to protect ourselves. NOT physical armor! It is qualities we develop and use in our battle! πανοπλία, (panoplia) – means our whole armament, both offensive and defensive NOTE: These qualities do not just appear, they are developed
Put on the Whole Armor (6:11) That you may be able to stand– with the armor, we can endure the attacks of the enemy Against the wiles of the devil – wiles – schemes. Ephesians 4:14 – deceitful plotting 2 Corinthians 2:11- do not be ignorant of his devices 2 Cor. 4:4 – the god of this age, 2 Cor. 11:3 – with craftiness, 2 Cor. 11:13-15 – transforms himself
Put on the Whole Armor (6:11) Against the wiles of the devil – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 John 8:44 – the father of lies 1 Peter 5:8 – like a roaring lion Revelation 2:24 – “the depths of Satan” Revelation 12:9 – the great dragon, deceives the world; (1 John 5:19) DO NOT underestimate the power of the devil! He is very good at what he does!
The nature of our battle (6:12) We do not wrestle against flesh and blood – we will not win with guns and knives and tanks, etc. Wrestle – implies close up combat It is a spiritual battle 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Our fight is not really with man, but with Satan and his forces. This is a battle for the heart!
The nature of our battle (6:12) Against principalities – those in places of preeminence (primarily spiritual – cf. Romans 8:38- 39, Ephesians 1:21, 3:10, etc.) Could this be “the devil and his angels”? Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:9, Jude 6
The nature of our battle (6:12) Against powers – demonstrating the potential to accomplish a task, one with authority – cf. Ephesians 2:2 – “the prince of the power of the air” Temptation is real! Our struggles are real! These are Satan at work against us! Don’t let him win!
The nature of our battle (6:12) Against the rulers of darkness of this age – Satan is the ruler of this world – Ephesians 2:2, John 12:31, 14:30, 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “the god of this age” BUT he only has rule because men gives it to him!
The nature of our battle (6:12) Against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places – summarizing who we are battling Our fight is with the devil! 1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7 – we must resist him!
The nature of our battle (6:12) Does this mean we don’t engage men? NO! Man is influenced by Satan and his minions. They have abandoned God – Romans 1:20-32, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, etc. We can and should stand up for what is right and resist evil. BUT, do not make it about destroying them. Engage with godly qualities, with our example, with the truth of God’s word, with the light of Jesus! Cf. John 17:11, 15-17
Take up the whole armor (6:13) Repeated a second time! Every piece of our armament has a purpose! If we set any of it aside, we are vulnerable! Our spiritual armor and battle described in other places! Romans 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:6-7, 10:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Timothy 6:12 2 Timothy 2:3, 4:7
Take up the whole armor (6:13) That you may be able to withstand in the evil day Resist! You are well prepared and equipped so that no matter what the enemy first at you, it does not penetrate! The evil day – our day of troubles Survival in war depends upon our defensive preparedness! God has given us everything we need! Cf. James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5
Take up the whole armor (6:13) And having done all, to stand Our final goal – to win the battle and the war. When we stand before God we want to remain standing! Cf. 2 Timothy 4:8
Am I prepared to fight the good fight of faith?