The Armor of God

Read Ephesians 6:10-18

Throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul encouraged and warned the new pagan converts on several issues. He showed them their spiritual blessings in Christ and the meaning of spiritual wisdom. He has explained why good works will not save them and how Jesus' sacrifice unites humanity. He showed them how they should live in light of their salvation. He also explained to them the importance of Spiritual Gifts and what it means to submit to one another. So far, it seems, everything Paul has shared in this letter is to help the Ephesians understand who they are in Christ and what their lives should look like. But he has one final word of warning for them.

To put on the full armor of God.

Like a commander calling his soldiers to war, Paul uses a Roman soldier's armour to help them remember how important it is to always be on their guard, ready to battle the evil one. 

With that in mind, the first thing Paul exhorts the Ephesians (and us) to do, is to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." What does that mean exactly? Being "strong in the Lord" is about how much we trust Him, will obey Him, and resist the devil. Taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) to make it obedient to Christ. Without that essential trust and obedience, we have no armour to put on! Being strong in the Lord means our faith and obedience to God reside solely in His power, His might, and the knowledge that He is God. He is our strength. He is our power. He is our Saviour. He is the most trustworthy in all the universe, who deserves our allegiance - our obedience. So we are to be strong in Him. Rest and abide in Him. Trust Him! 

So the first important step for the Ephesians and us is to remember who we have placed our trust in and why. This is so we can "stand against the wiles of the devil." Remember who Paul is talking to - Gentile converts from the idol capital of the ancient world. This is where the dreaded Nicolaitans (Revelations 2:6) had snuck in and were preaching a false doctrine that promoted the belief that you could worship God and idols simultaneously. Keeping the entire letter of Ephesians in context, we see that, once again, Paul is emphasizing the struggle the Ephesians faced regarding their new faith in Christ - the lure of idol worship and the temptation to sin.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
​​(Ephesians 6:12, KJV).

In the NIV, the above verse takes on a completely different meaning. It reads: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." ​ In the NIV, the reader is led to believe that our battle is with evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. This idea of battling invisible evil forces is where we get the concept of Spiritual Warfare. I will not touch this topic today as it needs its own book. But if we take the above verse in context with the rest of Ephesians and the Old Testament, it is my belief that the "high places" (Leviticus 26:30; Numbers 22:41; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 12:2; 1 Kings 3:3) referred to here are more likely not about anything in heaven but are instead about the places of idol worship that were scattered throughout Ephesus and around the ancient world.​ 

In fact, most temples sat in high places where the people could see them. The temple of Artemis (Diana) was one such place in Ephesus. Its structure was large enough and high enough that it could be seen from any vantage point in Ephesus. Even the temple of God in Jerusalem was built in this manner - on a high place for all to see. So, in my opinion, the verse above is not about evil forces in heaven but is about the wickedness that took place in the high places. This makes even more sense when we think of the temple in Jerusalem and the wicked acts of the Roman emperors who tried to install their own idols there, as Caligula did when he tried to install a statue of himself in the temple in 40 A.D.

"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"
​(Ephesians 6:13, NKJV).

The word "day" in Greek is hēmera and refers to time instead of a specific day. So it could be translated as "hour, time or season." Again, this makes sense when we look at the surrounding context. Paul is urging the Ephesians to be ready for those times when the adversary will deceive, tempt them to sin, or try to destroy their trust and faith in God.

How to Dress for War​

With each piece of armour, Paul reminds the Ephesians what he has discussed with them and why. The first piece of armour he encourages them to take up is the belt of truth.

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
​having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14).

A Roman soldier strapped a belt around his waist, sometimes made of leather and metal. It protected his lower regions but was also used to hold his sword and other weapons. Basically, this belt held everything in place. Paul uses this excellent analogy for the Ephesians because it drives home the point that they must "gird" themselves with the truth. If their faith is not founded on the truth that eternal life and salvation can be found in no one else but Jesus Christ, then they will falter in their faith. That fundamental truth holds all the other pieces of armour in place.

It is followed with the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate protected the heart and internal organs of the soldier. This piece of armour was crucial to staying alive. Because of its weight and how it was put together, Roman soldiers had to help each other put these breastplates on.

Our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ and Him alone. We cannot be good enough or do good enough to attain this righteousness on our own. The analogy of the breastplate is crucial then, as it helped to cement in the mind of the Ephesians that they were forgiven of their sins and were now made righteous in God's sight - but only because of Jesus. His "armour" now protected them from a life separated from God.

'...and having shod your feet with
​ the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).

Hetoimasia means preparation or readiness in Greek, but it also has the meaning of "firm footing" as in foundation. What an excellent example Paul uses here, to show the Ephesians once again how to withstand the wiles of the devil - by being prepared - at the ready - with the Gospel of peace. Giving the believer a firm footing that he (or she) might walk in a worthy manner.

"...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16).

A Roman soldier's shield was about four feet long and two feet wide. When held in front of their body, it protected them a great deal. It was their first source of protection against actual fiery arrows. Likewise, our faith in Jesus is our first line of defence against fiery darts from the evil one.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
​which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)

Each piece of armour had a purpose in protecting the soldier. Paul uses them to show us how to protect ourselves from the enemy. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from deceit, temptation, worry and doubt the devil loves to throw at us. We bear it like a crown or seal upon our heads that we receive because of Jesus. Without it, our minds are unprotected. Putting on the helmet of salvation reminds us to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

​Paul points out that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. And it is the Word of God that Jesus used against any arrows the devil flung at him, so we should always be learning it.

Paul finishes by reminding the Ephesians of the importance of prayer. 

"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18)

Supplication means making your needs known, and we do this not only for ourselves but for the needs of others as well. When we pray, we are conversing with God. So our entire being is insulated and protected from head to foot as we clothe ourselves in Christ, ready to face the day.