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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 6:11 - 6:11
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Put on (endusasthe). Like Eph 3:12. See also Eph 4:24.
The whole armour (tēn panoplian). Old word from panoplos (wholly armed, from pan, hoplon). In N.T. only Luk 11:22; Eph 6:11, Eph 6:13. Complete armour in this period included “shield, sword, lance, helmet, greaves, and breastplate” (Thayer). Our “panoply.” Polybius gives this list of Thayer. Paul omits the lance (spear). Our museums preserve specimens of this armour as well as the medieval coat-of-mail. Paul adds girdle and shoes to the list of Polybius, not armour but necessary for the soldier. Certainly Paul could claim knowledge of the Roman soldier’s armour, being chained to one for some three years.
That ye may be able to stand (pros to dunasthai humās stēnai). Purpose clause with pros to and the infinitive (dunasthai) with the accusative of general reference (humās) and the second aorist active infinitive stēnai (from histēmi) dependent on dunasthai. Against (pros). Facing. Another instance of pros meaning “against” (Col 2:23).
The wiles of the devil (tas methodias tou diabolou). See already Eph 4:14 for this word. He is a crafty foe and knows the weak spots in the Christian’s armour.