This Tuesday we are wrapping up our study of Ephesians with Ephesians 6:10-34 where Paul brings together the praise and thanksgivings in the first half of Ephesians with his discussion about Christian behavior in the second half of Ephesians in his instruction to stand firm and be protected by the full armor of God. This email is available online.
Stand Firm: (vv.10-13)
Paul’s conclusion in Ephesians is in the model of a commander’s final exhortation to his troops before their engagement with the enemy. This engagement, however, is not one of advancing or attacking but of standing firm and holding one’s ground. Christ is the one who wins the battle, the obligation of the church militant is to hold the gains that have been made. Paul’s military exhortation should also remind us that we are never promised that in Christ we will escape conflict or persecution. John 15:20.
Paul’s exhortation is that the church must put on the fullness of God’s armor that he provides for us and be prepared for the coming attack. Paul calls upon the church to take an active role in its own defense. Paul warns the church to be on the lookout for the schemes and trickery that the devil will employ to attack the church. Evil seldom first appears to be evil. As John will later write in Revelation, it is the Beast and False Prophet that leads the nations and their kings astray – they don’t willingly follow evil as evil but because the evil appears to be good.
Paul tells his audience, however, that the enemy that they will engage in close combat with is not flesh and blood, but is the spiritual evil from the realm of the heavenly places. Eph. 1:21, 2:2. Paul’s statement here is a warning to the church that our real enemies are not human beings or even human institutions, but of a spiritual nature. Our neighbor is never our enemy, but someone to be loved. Luke 6:26. We are commanded to love our neighbors and to pray for our neighbors, and never to mistake anyone created in the image of God as our spiritual opponent against whom we must fight. Matt. 5:44-46.
Full Armor of God: (vv.14-17)
After setting forth the terms of the conflict (that should remind us of the first half of Ephesians), Paul takes his audience through the “armor of God” which are those virtues that Paul writes about in the second half of his letter. Again, the church’s conflict with the powers and principalities in the heavenly realm is not about winning the victory for Christ, but simply holding on to the territory that Christ has already won. Victory comes from holding onto that which Christ has already given us.
As we read through these verses, remember that Paul is under Roman guard in Ceasar’s household. Phil. 1:13. Also, remember our discussion of Philippians 1:28, and that a Roman soldier never fought alone, but always in a tight formation in unity with the man next to him. Our fight is never by ourselves but as part of the church itself.
- Gird our loins with truth: “Girding the loins” is the process of pulling up the lower part of a tunic and securing it to free up the movement of the lower body. The “truth” that Paul writes about is not only the objective truth of the good news of Jesus’s Resurrection and Victory but also the subjective truth of a believer’s integrity and faithfulness. Isa. 11:5.
- Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate protects the heart and the exposed internal organs. These are the virtues of unity, humility, gentleness, patience, and loving endurance, that we have discussed over the past few weeks. See, Eph. 4:2-3. A Christian who lives into these virtues protects his heart from the onslaught of the enemy.
- Shoes of Readiness and Peace: The shoes Paul describes are those of a readiness to meet the challenge. Paul, however, tells us that this combat readiness is not about vengeance or attack, but about peace. As Isaiah says: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation.” Isa. 52:7.
- Shield of Faith: The shield Paul describes is a leather shield soaked in water to put out flaming arrows. The faith of the church, therefore, can not only block the arrows of the enemy but even extinguish them.
- Helmet of Salvation: The church receives the helmet of salvation, similar to a military attendant placing the helmet on a soldier’s head. The salvation given by Christ to the Church is its protection.
- Sword of the Spirit: Once more, the church receives the sword of the spirit. The final gift is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. As John writes in Revelation, the sword is the testimony of the martyrs and of Christ. Rev. 1:16, 19:15. This sword is a piercing sword which lays all things bare. Heb. 4:12-13. Again, the sword is not an offensive weapon but allows the church to successfully stand firm.
Power of Prayer: (vv.18-20)
Paul exhorts his audience that is dressed for battle to remain constantly in prayer in and with the Holy Spirit. To continue the military analogy, it is not enough that a soldier be properly outfitted for battle, he must remain in contact with his commander. For Paul, prayer is a constant activity. The Greek word Paul uses to describe our prayer is proskarteresis which means persistence, intense effort, and perseverance. (Not unlike the teaching of the Parables of the Importunate Widow or the Friend at Midnight.)
Paul ends his conclusion by reminding his audience that he is an “ambassador in chains.” Even in Roman times, an ambassador had diplomatic privileges, and the imprisonment of an ambassador would violate diplomatic norms and be seen as an insult to the one who sent the ambassador. In reminding the audience of his status, Paul reminds them that their citizenship is not of this world, and the powers of the world are arrayed against them.
Dinner is a 6. The menu is chicken potato casserole. Discussion about 6:45. Compline around 8. Hope to see you here!
In the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; 16 in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:13b-16