Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17
Context: Why does Paul end this practical letter with teaching about spiritual warfare?
This practical letter is based on spiritual realities. The gospel expresses spiritual realities. It’s the glory of the Gentile and Jew being made a part of God’s family – a spiritual reality. It’s the marvel of how he’s rescued us from being children of wrath operating under the rule of darkness – a spiritual reality. It’s the wonder of now being allowed to walk in the way of wisdom to fulfil the call we’re given – a spiritual reality. All the practicalities of this letter are inextricably linked to spiritual realities. The section Paul just finished examined different types of relationships and Christ’s fundamental role in helping them function as they should – another spiritual reality. Thus it’s fitting that at the end of this practical letter, he’s keen to stress once again that we’re operating in spiritual realities and that includes the war we’re in – albeit a war we wage from the perspective of victory – over all that Jesus has overcome for the glory of His Father.
Paul has been preparing readers for this moment from the start of the letter. He told them that the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him far above every ruler, authority, power and dominion is the power at work in believers (1:19-23). He reminded them that they once walked under the ruler of the kingdom of the air, but are now raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (2:2-6). He even said that the church’s unity is on display to the rulers and authorities in those heavenly places, showing them the manifold wisdom of God (3:10). That’s why the command in this passage is not to charge forward and win a victory, but to stand – a word Paul repeats again and again – in a victory already won by Christ. We aren’t fighting for a position; we’re fighting from one. The armour isn’t something we invent or earn either, because it’s the armour of God Himself, and each piece reflects who Christ is and what He’s given us. So the practical lesson for believers is that daily choices in marriage, family and work are never merely ordinary. They’re moments where we either stand firm in the truth of what God has already done or give ground to an enemy who has already been defeated.
Content: What is each piece of the armour, and what does it represent?
Belt of truth – this is about keeping everything in its proper place by the power of reality, what God’s Word says is true, and not letting falsehoods loosen it.
A Roman soldier’s belt gathered his tunic and held his gear, so it was the piece that let him move freely without getting tangled. Truth does the same for us, because when we know what God has said, we can act decisively instead of being tripped up by confusion. Paul has already stressed “speaking the truth in love” (4:15) and putting off falsehood (4:25), so this piece isn’t only about believing the right things, but about living honestly. Isaiah says the Messiah wears righteousness and faithfulness as a belt (Isaiah 11:5), so when we wear truth, we wear what Christ Himself wears.
Breastplate of righteousness – as we go forward, we are protected at heart by the desire to be and do everything pleasing to God, and not be drawn by any other desire that could distract and corrupt us.
The breastplate guarded the vital organs, and Scripture treats the heart as the centre of a person’s desires and decisions. This righteousness has two sides: the standing we’ve been given in Christ, and the pattern of life that flows from it. Paul has just urged believers to “walk as children of light” and to find out what pleases the Lord (5:8-10). When we neglect holy living, we leave our hearts exposed to the accuser. Isaiah again pictures God Himself putting on righteousness as a breastplate (Isaiah 59:17), so the armour is His character shared with us.
Shoes of the gospel of peace – our progress and movement are based on delivering the good news of peace with God and each other; we’re propelled to run with this news, and not by irrelevant and trivial talk.
Good footwear gave soldiers grip and mobility on rough ground, and the point here is readiness. Paul’s phrase echoes Isaiah’s “how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isaiah 52:7). It’s striking that the gospel of peace is part of our fighting gear. Ephesians 2:14-17 tells us Christ Himself is our peace, who broke down the wall between Jew and Gentile, so peace is the very ground we stand on. Our readiness to speak of it and make peace with others is a weapon the enemy can’t match.
Shield of faith – a significant protection that absorbs efforts to shift us from our position and movement – is our firm trust and confidence in God.
The large Roman shield could be linked with others to form a wall, which reminds us that faith is not only a personal defence but a shared one. Paul says it extinguishes “all the flaming darts of the evil one”, and those darts are often doubts, accusations and fears fired when we are weakest. The shield works by lifting our eyes from the attack to the One who is faithful. We hold it up by recalling what God has promised and done, which is why Paul keeps rooting this letter in Christ’s finished work.
Helmet of salvation – a key way our mind is kept in check despite the barrages is our understanding and knowledge that God has rescued, redeemed, restored, and renewed us.
The helmet protects the head, and a blow there can disorient or end the fight. The enemy often aims at our thinking, trying to persuade us that we’re still lost, unforgiven or alone. Salvation here covers the past (we have been saved), the present (we are being saved), and the future (we will be saved), giving hope as well as security. Isaiah describes God wearing “a helmet of salvation” (Isaiah 59:17), and Paul calls it “the hope of salvation” in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Knowing who we are in Christ steadies the mind when thoughts turn against us.
Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is fundamental to our efforts to defeat those we oppose, and it is powerful because of what God says.
This is the only offensive weapon, and Paul is clear that the Spirit gives it power, not our own skill. Jesus shows us how to use it in the wilderness. Each time Satan tempted Him, He answered with Scripture and said: “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). The word Paul uses points to a spoken word applied to a particular moment, so it is not enough to own a Bible; we need to know it, remember it and speak it. Next comes prayer in the Spirit (6:18), which shows that the sword is never wielded apart from dependence on God.
Concept: How does understanding that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” change your perspective on conflicts?
Seeing the real context in which the conflict takes place plays a significant part in helping me understand the reality of where the battle truly lies. It’s very helpful to know that it is not a person who’s really opposing what God is doing. It’s very helpful to target the matters to the right place. That means it is crucial to have that understanding of the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over the present darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places that have such a compelling influence in the world that leads, influences and shapes the behaviours, attitudes, thoughts and beliefs of any individual not committed to the Kingdom of God. That understanding and acknowledgement, and then usage of the whole armour – which is total dependence on God in Christ through His Spirit – can enable me to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might in addressing what’s really going on and not get caught up in the noise and distractions.
This perspective doesn’t remove my responsibility to the people involved. It reshapes how I treat them. Paul has already told believers to be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love (4:2), and to deal with anger quickly so that we give no opportunity to the devil (4:26-27). In other words, the enemy is quite happy to use bitterness, harsh words and grudges as a foothold, and I’m helping him whenever I treat a person as the enemy. Jesus shows the better way. On the cross He prayed for the people who were crucifying Him, because He knew they didn’t understand what they were doing (Luke 23:34). I’m called to the same posture – to resist the lies and pressures driving the conflict while I seek the good of the person caught up in it, who is someone God may yet rescue from darkness, just as He rescued me. That is why Paul ends the armour with prayer in the Spirit at all times, for all the saints, and even for boldness to make known the gospel (6:18-20). Prayer takes the conflict out of the realm of arguments and personalities and into the place where the real battle is won.
Conclusions: Which piece of armour do you most need to “put on” in your current circumstances?
The idea is to put on the WHOLE armour of God. In my walk of life, it’s proven to be the case that the WHOLE armour operates as a WHOLE. Just as the Word of God is an entity, so the armour isn’t something that various parts can be focused on. The WHOLE armour is what I need most in every circumstance because I face opposition and resistance in my head, my heart and my feet. So I need the protection, power, poise and positioning to propel progress from every aspect of THE WHOLE ARMOUR.
The reason the pieces can’t be separated is that each one depends on the others. Truth without righteousness becomes cold knowledge; righteousness without the gospel of peace slides into self-reliance; and faith without the Word has nothing solid to trust. Paul uses the word “whole” twice (6:11, 6:13) precisely because the enemy looks for the one gap we’ve left uncovered. It also helps to remember that this armour isn’t something I forge or earn, because I’m told to put it on – and it is God’s own armour (Isaiah 59:17), which means that to wear it is to depend on Christ and walk in His character. This is why the instruction to stand, repeated through the passage, is followed immediately by prayer in the Spirit on all occasions (6:18). Putting on the armour isn’t a once-for-all act; it’s a daily choice to rely on God completely. So my answer to which piece I most need is the same on every day and in every circumstance – I need Christ Himself, and all that He has provided, from head to foot.
Next time:
WIWO – Ephesians – Episode Fourteen: Prayer and Perseverance
Reading – Ephesians 6:18-24
When people talk about being practical, the Word of God helps us understand that it means appreciating spiritual realities. A significant reality to come to grips with is the reality of the war going on. That reality is helpfully expressed by the Word of God, and the solution is given by the Word of God, which is why we need to take God’s Word In so we can live His Word Out.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
