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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eph_6:10-17
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph_6:10 "finally" Literally this is "for the rest." This is a characteristic Pauline phrase implying he is about to close his letter (cf. 2Co_13:11; Php_3:1; Php_4:8; 1Th_4:1; 2Th_3:1). It usually marks a transition to a new point.
▣ "be strong in the Lord" This is either a present passive imperative, "be made strong," or a present middle imperative, "be strong." The grammatical form is the same, only the function is different. The theology is clear: believers must continue to allow the Spirit to strengthen them for the ongoing spiritual struggle (cf. Eph_3:20; 1Co_16:13). This paradox between the passive voice (God's power flowing through believers) and the middle voice (believers actively involved in living for Christ) is the dialectical tension found throughout the Bible. Basically it is the tension of a covenant relationship (cf. Php_2:12-13). God always takes the initiative, always sets the agenda, but He has also chosen that humans must respond (initially and continually). Sometimes the Bible emphasizes mankind's response (Eze_18:31, "Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit") and sometimes God's provision (cf. Eze_36:26-27, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you."). Both are true!
Four Greek terms (dunamis = power; energeia = energy; kratos = strength and ischus = might) are used in Eph_1:10 to describe God's power in Christ. Here, three of these same words are used.
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▣ "in the strength of His might" YHWH was often described in the OT as a warrior wearing armor (cf. Isa_42:13; Isa_49:24-25; Isa_52:10 and especially Isa_59:16-17). It is His armor, not ours. Our victory is in Him (cf. Php_2:13), but we must cooperate (cf. Php_2:12).
Eph_6:11 "put on the full armor of God" This is an aorist middle imperative which conveys a sense of urgency (cf. Eph_6:13). This is a decisive act of the believer's will. God has provided our needed spiritual equipment, but we must recognize the need and avail ourselves of God's provision and apply it to our daily lives (cf. 1Th_5:8). Justification (Romans 4; Romans 6) does not provide a deliverance from spiritual struggle and temptation (cf. Romans 7). The presence of the "new man" does not imply the total removal of the "old man." Often the battle is intensified. If Satan cannot keep us from being saved, he will attempt to keep us spiritually defeated and silenced!
▣ "that you may be able to stand firm" This is a present passive infinitive followed by an aorist active infinitive, which refers to the daily struggle, not one decisive "battle" or temptation (this is similar to Jesus' temptation in Luk_4:13, where Satan departs until a more opportune time). The term "stand" is a military term for holding one's position. It is repeated in Eph_6:13-14. It is the key purpose of the believer's armor.
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NASB "against the schemes of the devil"
NKJV, NRSV "against the wiles of the devil"
TEV "against the devil's evil tricks"
NJB "the devil's tactics"
Christians are attacked by an angelic tempter, Satan (cf. Eph_2:2; Eph_4:14; Eph_4:27; 2Co_2:11; 1Pe_5:8-9). Satan uses many schemes (methodia).
1. disunity
2. personal sin
3. false teachers
4. discouragement
5. apathy
6. suffering
These are just some things that the recipients of this letter faced. However, believers cannot attribute all sin and problems to angelic temptation or attack. Fallen mankind, even redeemed fallen mankind, faces (1) a continuing sin nature; (2) a fallen world system; and (3) an angelic and demonic attack (cf. Eph_2:2-3; Jas_4:1; Jas_4:4; Jas_4:7). The battle starts in the mind but moves quickly to sinful acts. For the Special Topic: Personal Evil see Eph_2:2.
Notice the numbers of times "against" appears in this context (once in v.11 and four times in Eph_6:12). The panoply of evil is thwarted by the panoply of God's armor!
Eph_6:12
NASB, NRSV "our struggle is not"
NKJV "we do not wrestle"
TEV "we are not fighting against"
NJB "we have to struggle"
This is a present tense verb which implies an ongoing struggle, not a one-time temptation. This was either a military or athletic metaphor. It literally refers to hand-to-hand combat. The Christian life is tough! The Christian life is a supernatural gift lived out by repentance and faith, as is salvation.
▣ "against flesh and blood" The word order is literally "blood and flesh." Notice the abnormal sequence of these terms. It is found only here and in Heb_2:14. The reason is uncertain, but it may be related to the Gnostic false teachers' depreciation of the physical (Jesus' humanity). Believers must remember the spiritual problem is sin, evil, and Satan, not competition from other human beings!
▣ "against the rulers; against the powers" These terms can be used of human authorities as in Rom_13:1-7, but here the context demands angelic levels (aeons) of authority (cf. Rom_8:38-39; 1Co_2:8; Col_1:16; Col_2:10; Col_2:15; Eph_1:21; Eph_3:10; 1Pe_3:22). This was part of the Gnostic false teachers' worldview. These angelic levels (aeons) may be
1. evil, that is, fallen angels under Satan's control, the demonic
2. the angelic authorities called the stoichea who are not necessarily evil (cf. Gal_4:3; Gal_4:9; Col_2:8)
For a good discussion of the subject see Hendrik Berkhof, Christ and the Powers (Herald Press).
For "rulers" see Special Topic: Archç at Col_1:16.
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NASB "against the world-forces of this darkness"
NKJV "against the rulers of the darkness of this age"
NRSV "against the cosmic powers of this present darkness"
TEV "against the cosmic powers of this dark age"
NJB "the spiritual army of evil in the heavens"
This is the Greek term kosmocrator in its plural form. This term is used in the Greek Classics and the writings of the Jewish rabbis to describe someone bent on world control. This seems to speak of Satan (cf. Joh_12:31; Joh_14:30; 2Co_4:4; Eph_2:2) and the demonic (cf. 1Co_2:6; 1Co_2:8; 1Co_15:24; Eph_3:10; Eph_6:12; Col_2:15).
▣ "against the spirit-forces of wickedness" This phrase was used in Paul's day by astrologers who believed there were angels or gods behind the heavenly bodies (cf. Rom_8:39) that affected human life (zodiac). This all began with Babylonian astrology. It is still alive and well (horoscopes).
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "in the heavenly places"
TEV "in the heavenly world"
NJB "in the heavens"
This locative (of sphere) neuter plural adjective "in the heavenly places" is used only in Ephesians (cf. Eph_1:20; Eph_2:6; Eph_3:10; Eph_6:12). From the context of all of its usages (esp. Eph_3:10 and Eph_6:12), it must mean the spiritual realm in which believers live here and now, not heaven by and by.
Eph_6:13 "you must take up the full armor of God" This is an aorist active imperative which showed the need for decisive action (cf. v.11). It is another military term. It is possibly an allusion to YHWH as warrior from Isa_59:17. The armor is mentioned in the order in which it would have been put on by a soldier (remember Paul wrote this from prison chained to two Roman soldiers).
Notice the full armor is God's armor! He provides, but believers must recognize the battle and implement God's sufficient provision.
▣ "you may be able to resist" This is an aorist passive (deponent) subjunctive with an aorist active infinitive. There is a spiritual battle before and after conversion. Some believers do not know there is an ongoing, spiritual battle; they do not take up God's armor and they do not resist. The terminology is similar to Jas_4:7 and 1Pe_5:9. Christians can lose or damage their peace, assurance, and gifted ministry through (1)ignorance; (2) neglect; and/or (3) sin (cf. 1Co_9:27; 1Co_15:2; Gal_2:2; Gal_3:4; Php_2:16; 1Ti_1:19). This does not refer to heaven or hell, but effective kingdom service!
▣ "in the evil day" This is an OT idiom which could refer to (1) a day of temptation; (2) the whole evil age in which we live; or (3) a day of adversity (cf. Psa_49:5 ff).
▣ "having done everything" This term had the connotation of one having done everything that was required. Paul uses this term more than eighteen times in his letters. In the spiritual realm (1) preparation; (2) consistency; and (3) knowledge are crucial!
▣ "stand firm" This is an aorist active infinitive meaning "to stand fast." The same term is used in Eph_6:11 (present passive infinitive) and 14 (aorist active imperative). Believers are commanded and encouraged to resist, overcome, and stand against the schemes of the devil (cf. Eph_4:14). This is done by means of
1. the believers' knowledge of the gospel (the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, Eph_6:17)
2. the believer's position in Christ
3. the believers' yieldedness to the indwelling Spirit
4. the believers' implementation of the armor provided by God
5. the believer's decisive choices and actions
6. prayer (cf. Eph_6:18)
See Special Topic: Stand at Eph_6:11.
Eph_6:14 Three of the following four participles are taken from passages in Isaiah. They are all grammatically related to this aorist active imperative, "stand" in Eph_6:13 (this structure is like Eph_5:18, imperative followed by five participles, Eph_5:19-21).
1. "having girded" aorist middle participle (Eph_6:14). This is a quote from Isa_11:5 where it was used of the Messiah.
2. "having put on" aorist middle participle (Eph_6:14). This is a quote from Isa_59:17, where it is used of God as a warrior on behalf of sinful Israel (cf. Isa_59:12).
3. "having shod" aorist middle participle (Eph_6:15). This is a quote from Isa_52:7, where the Lord comes to His people as a King bringing good news (cf. Isa_61:1).
4. "taking up" aorist active participle (Eph_6:16, cf. Eph_6:13). This is implied in Isa_59:17. God's provisions must be implemented in daily life.
▣ "truth" There is not an article in Greek, so it may be translated in the OT sense of "truthfulness" or "trustworthiness." See Special Topic at Eph_1:13.
▣ "the breastplate" This is one of the pieces of armor listed in Isa_59:17, as is the helmet of Eph_6:17.
▣ "of righteousness" This refers to Christ's righteousness (cf. 2Co_5:21). However, like the dialectical tension related to strengthening in Eph_6:10, it is both Christ's imputed righteousness (positional justification and sanctification) and His followers' progressive Christlikeness (progressive sanctification) that brings victory in the daily spiritual struggle. See Special Topic at Eph_4:24.
Eph_6:15 "having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" This either refers to (1) readiness (cf. Isa_52:7) or (2) a sure foundation (cf. NEB translation). Believers must be prepared for the spiritual struggle that will surely come.
Eph_6:16 "in addition" The KJV translates this as "above all," but it means in addition to the above mentioned military battle armor.
▣ "the shield" This term is related to the Greek word for "door." It refers to the large 4' x 2' full-body shield. It was made of wood with leather coverings surrounded by metal. It was soaked in water before battle so as to extinguish the fire-tipped arrows. It was a symbol of full protection.
▣ "flaming missiles" This refers to arrows dipped in pitch and lighted. These were metaphorical of spiritual attacks.
▣ "the evil one" There is an ambiguity as to whether it refers to evil in general (neuter) or Satan in particular (masculine). This same ambiguity can be seen in Mat_5:37; Mat_6:13; Mat_13:38; Joh_17:15; 2Th_3:3; 1Jn_2:13-14. The form of the word in Greek is the same (therefore, the gender can only be ascertained from context). In Mat_13:19; 1Jn_5:18-19 it obviously refers to Satan (see Special Topic at Eph_2:2).
Eph_6:17 "take the helmet of salvation" This is an aorist middle (deponent) imperative. It is symbolic of believers' knowledge of the gospel and their hope in Christ (cf. 1Th_5:8).
▣ "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" Paul specifically defines the believers' offensive weapons (i.e., Bible knowledge and prayer, Eph_6:18). This was an allusion to an OT metaphor for God speaking to His people (cf. Isa_49:2; Hos_6:5). God's revelation (both the living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written word, the Bible) is described in these same terms in Heb_4:12. Although a different Greek term for "word" (rhçma versus logos) is used in Hebrews, the term for "sword" is the same (the small tongue-shaped Roman weapon).
It is dangerous to draw too sharp a distinction between parallel terms in Koine Greek (it was the language of commerce and the distinctions of Classical Greek were fading) like "rhçma" and "logos." This may refer to the use of the Scriptures during temptation, like Jesus did in Mat_4:1 ff. Believers' knowledge of the gospel will protect them in their daily spiritual struggles. This is why Scripture memorization and personal Bible study are so valuable (cf. Psa_19:7-11; Psa_119:105; Pro_6:23). This is the only offensive weapon listed among the armor (although I think prayer in Eph_6:18 is another). It is for protection. As in Eph_6:18-20 it can be used for Kingdom advance!