• Ephesians 6:10-24

The following verses make up Paul's concluding remarks to the church at Ephesus. These verses contain very familiar verses and imagery. One of the difficulties with verses that are frequently quoted is that we can easily learn them out of context.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

• Paul begins his concluding remarks by exhorting the Ephesians to be strong. Specifically he tells them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

• The Nature of the Battle

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

• Many Christians have bought into the lie that suggests that there exists in the universe an ultimate source of good and an ultimate source of evil. As Christians, we must remember God has no equal; he has no rival. There is an infinite gulf between the creator and the creation. Satan is not God's opposite. If Satan were to have a counterpart it would probably be Michael the Archangel. This misunderstanding of the universe has been propagated by two primary teachings:

• Dualism - A teaching which contends that in Theological terms there exist two primary, antagonistic, and equal sources of good and evil.

• Zo·ro·as·tri·an·ism (z½r"½-²s"tr¶-…-n¹z"…m) n. The religious system founded in Persia by Zoroaster and set forth in the Zend-Avesta, teaching the worship of Ormazd in the context of a universal struggle between the forces of light and of darkness.

• The Old Testament gives us a hint of the understanding that behind many of the nations or cities were demonic or angelic entities that participated in the affairs of the nation or city. These powers or principalities were toppled in the cross by Christ. We see in Colossians 2:15 that these entities have been disarmed and made a public spectacle. However, we also learn from Paul in these verses in Ephesians that the powers and principalities were not annihilated. We also know this to be the case because Paul also teaches in this book that God is making His wisdom known to the powers and principalities by means of the Church.

This understanding may also shed light on Satan's offer of the nations and cities of the world to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. Perhaps Jesus refused because rather than accept them from Satan, He knew that He was going to take them from him.

• The Nature of the Weapons

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--

• One of the most interesting things about the armor that Paul instructs us to be clad in, is that all of it is given to us from God. This battle is the Lords and so is our armor and so are we; we are not required to supply anything we need. We are not fighting this battle for the Lord as if He needed us in order to win; He is demonstrating His wisdom through us and will ensure that He is glorified. What a privilege it is for us to be able to participate in that.

• Truth - This is the kind of truth that if God had not revealed it we wouldn't know about it. All of the attributes that we know about God, whether general or specific, have been made known to us by God.

• Righteousness - Because we were slaves to sin, it was impossible to free ourselves from slavery. We were also by nature objects of wrath, therefore, God gave us the righteousness of another, Jesus Christ. We were clothed with his righteousness.

• The Gospel - God has designed the universe in such a way that he entrusted the message of the Gospel to the Saints. He has declared that as they proclaim this message in faith, he will reveal His grace in innumerable people.

• Faith - Faith from God is very different from the fleshly faith that we sometimes attempt to muster up. Fleshly faith says, "I know I am supposed to believe this even though I know this isn't true." Godly faith says, "God has said this is true therefore, I believe it."

• Salvation - Before we can carry the message of the Gospel to every nation, we must stand in our own salvation.

• Word - God has provided us with everything for Godly living. We are sanctified by means of Christ washing us with His word. His Word keeps us, sustains us and directs us while in this battle.

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

• Paul asks the Ephesians twice to pray for his boldness. Even after probably thirty years of incomparable evangelism, Paul is still soliciting the prayers of the saints. Charles Spurgeon once responded when asked how it is that his ministry was so effective, "The people pray for me." If we are interested in an effective prayer life, pray that God would gird up the teachers and evangelists in the church that they might equip the saints for the work of ministry.

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.