Ephesians 6:10–13 . . .

“The Spiritual Armor God Gives Us to Wear and Use”

Paul surprised us by what he wrote in the previous passage (6:5–9) about slaves and masters, which seems on the surface to let all of us off the hook. After all, how many of us own slaves? Who among us is a slave? Nevertheless, when you read my previous commentary, you’ll see that Paul’s teaching application was much broader.

In today’s follow-up passage, Paul writes his powerful and possibly most memorable text about spiritual warfare and weaponry. But before he begins his detailed explanation of our essential spiritual armor that we must wear, he first pleads passionately: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Today I’ll concentrate on vv. 10–13, which direct attention to the war itself and our grasp of its gravity. After I consider the war in general, I’ll examine in detail each piece of spiritual weaponry Paul highlights that’s designed by God to combat Satan’s offensives. May God open our hearts and minds to understand spiritual warfare and the valuable tools he’s provided for our defense.

Note: Those who put on the full armor of God are promised certain benefits. The “day of evil” (v. 13a) can refer to the moment of spiritual attack. It doesn’t refer to a future “last days” scenario. Believers are to constantly be on guard, being prepared by wearing God’s armor.

What Should We Remember Most about This Epistle? (6:10)

Paul’s opening word “Finally” is perhaps one of the most important words in this verse. It’s taken from the Greek phrase tou loipou. It would be better translated: for the rest of the matter; in conclusion; or in summation. In other Greek manuscripts of Jesus’ day, the tou loipou phrase depicts something so extremely important that it was often placed at the close of most letters. That way readers were more likely to remember that single item if they remembered nothing else in them.

In essence, the phrase tou loipou for “Finally” carries this emphatic idea: In conclusion, I have saved the most important issue of this epistle till the end of my letter. If you remember nothing else in it, you’ll remember this. I want it to stand out in your mind…

Could you use a little extra strength today? I want to draw your attention to the word “strong” in the English text of Paul’s opening verse of today’s four-verse passage. The Greek for it, endunamao, is a compound of the words en and dunamis. The Greek word en means in. And dunamis means explosive strength, ability, and power. It’s where we get the word “dynamite.”

According to Rick Renner, who provides all the Greek-English word studies and comparisons (see Sparkling Gems from the Greek) in my commentaries, this word endunamao presents the picture of an explosive power that’s being deposited into some type of container, vessel, or other form of receptacle. The very nature of this word endunamao means that there necessarily must be some type of receiver that the Lord’s power fills. We believers have been designed by God to become receptacles of his divine power. When Apostle Paul urges us to “be strong in the Lord,” he’s essentially saying, Receive a supernatural, strengthening, internal deposit of power into your inner person. God is the Giver; we are the receptacles into which his power is to be housed.

Paul knew that we’d desperately need supernatural power to successfully combat the attacks the enemy would bring against us. That’s why Paul urges us to open our spirits, souls, and bodies to God so we can receive this supernatural strength. The words translated “be strong” here actually mean “be strengthened.” This entire verse could be translated thusly: “…be infused with supernatural strength and ability…” or “…be empowered with this special touch of God’s strength…” or “…receive this inner strengthening…” How wonderful it is that God fashioned each of us to be containers for his explosive, Holy Spirit power!

As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the church body in Ephesus (the largest church of his day), we ought to reflect now on its many theological teachings and practical instructions. Having given us his emphatic “Finally” plea and exhortation, he’ll begin to highlight individually the spiritual warfare that abounds in this world. It’s clear from what Paul wrote in 4:25–31 that Satan had apparently attacked the Ephesian church body with some success, which is why he instructed these believers to stop lying and stealing, watch what came out of their mouths, prevent themselves from grieving the Holy Spirit, and put aside anger and hatred. Until they’d follow all of his instructions, they’d be unable to fully experience the overcoming, abundant life that Jesus had come to freely offer them.

Our Conflict with Satan Is Spiritual (6:11–12)

Paul had been teaching the Ephesians about the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and the life that flows from it. He outlined the standards of this life for believers individually, for fellowship within the Christian community, and for the more intimate family relationships within the home. Finally, Paul reminded believers that Christians must participate in a spiritual battle. From his own experience, the apostle knew that the opposition was real and the warfare intense (v. 12).

Since believers are engaged in an ongoing spiritual battle with the powers of darkness, we cannot endure without God’s power. To be strengthened by the Lord and the power of his might is vital to living a victorious Christian life. We must be alert, have our defenses up, and launch a full-blown attack to send him running, again and again! A person wearing the armor of God isn’t relaxed or indifferent to the satanic forces that we know will come. We must anticipate each of his attacks by being vigilant!

As Christians, it’s essential that we understand the severity of this ongoing battle. Because it’s often something we cannot physically see, it’s easy to lose sight of the impact Satan can have on us. That said, it becomes very dangerous when we forget to equip ourselves with the armor of God, thereby allowing the enemy to control our lives. What armor does Paul recommend we wear and use? As a result of Paul’s numerous imprisonments, it was easy for him to illustrate the basic military hardware the Roman soldiers wore.

The Lord has given us “the full armor of God” — it includes every weapon we need to successfully combat “the devil’s schemes” (v. 11). The devil wants to gain open access into our life. Most of Satan’s attacks will take place in our mind, which is our central command center. Once he takes control of a small area of our mind, he’ll begin to expand his presence and control. After he poisons that portion with unbelief and lies, he manipulate our thinking, then our emotions, then our body. Without question, our mind is the strategic center of the spiritual warfare battle that we’ll win or lose.

Paul’s use of the phrase “our struggle” is key to understanding how intense spiritual warfare can be. The phrase comes from the old Greek word pale, which refers to struggling, wrestling, or hand-to-hand combat. So, v. 12a actually carries this idea: “For our wresting — that is, our intense struggle, fierce combat, and ongoing conflict — is not really with flesh and blood, but with…” Paul then goes on to describe the different levels of demonic rulers, powers, authorities, and spiritual forces that exist is Satan’s kingdom.

Paul clearly indicates in v. 12 that our conflict with Satan is spiritual. As a result, no tangible weaponry can be effectively employed against him and his henchmen. Nowhere in the Bible can we find the list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, Paul’s Armor of God passage makes it quite clear. When we faithfully follow all the instructions listed in 6:14–17 (highlighted in Warren’s next commentary), we become able to stand up to Satan and his forces and be victorious, despite his deceptive strategy.

Never forget this: The devil knows that if he can take control of your mind, he can expand outward into other weak areas of your thinking. If you don’t routinely and devotedly read God’s Word and fill your mind with God’s thoughts, what prevents you from doing so? There’s no better, no more effective mental protection against the enemy’s strategies than to fill your brain with the words of God. Doing so will enable you to prevent Satan from accessing your mind and life. Don’t allow the enemy an entrance through which he can successfully wage spiritual warfare against you.

The Proper Response to Spiritual Warfare (6:13)

Paul introduced the concept of the full armor of God in v. 11. In our next commentary, he’ll detail specific pieces of the armor of God. Here in v. 13, he simply iterates the essence of spiritual warfare and the main purpose and value of using each piece of the armor of God, which he gives us believers freely to use often and effectively. He starts with this command: “Therefore put on the full armor of God.”

The phrase “so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able” serves to remind Paul’s readers that, without God’s strength and the supernatural protection he gives us with his spiritual armor, it will be impossible to stand against and defeat the attacks of spiritual enemies. And when he adds, “to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand,” he’s describing the purpose for God’s strength and the valuable pieces of armor he provides every believer. God has given us, his children, a mission to fulfill. Satan will do his best to thwart it. When he attacks and intimidates, we must be strong in the Lord and take our stand! Clearly, we are to intentionally “put on” the Lord’s full collection of armor so we can effectively stand against every hint of spiritual opposition.

Because of the wide scope and power of spiritual evil faced by believers (v. 12), Paul reminds Christians herein that every tool is critically important. Further, that God’s armor is a package of tools to be used collectively whenever needed, not individually and casually selected from a wardrobe when a thought comes to mind. God has provided everything you’ll need to successfully stand up to Satan, resist him, and defeat him. Your success against an enemy that seeks every opportunity to tempt, deceive, and destroy you depends on the timely decision you make. Will you choose to obey or ignore Paul’s urgent command to “Put on the full armor of God”?

Dr. Charles Stanley’s Daily Devotion — Ephesians 6:10–13

The moment a person asks Jesus to be Lord, he or she enters a battle. The enemy is determined to destroy believers’ testimonies. But God has supplied a mighty weapon to those who serve Him — His son’s strength flowing through their life.

Christ’s power is supreme! Satan, with all his demonic forces, can’t throw anything our way to match Jesus’ supernatural strength. Even so, temptations and trials expose weaknesses when most would prefer to appear strong. That’s one reason human nature rebels against hardship and tries to avoid it.

God wants Christian soldiers to be armed with the Savior’s might so they can confront life’s difficulties. He promises us strength only when we set down pride and accept that we’re too weak for battle (2 Cor. 12:9). And Jesus’ power is available to every believer right now — a gift the Commander gives His followers so they can endure conflicts victoriously.

The world encourages keeping up the appearance of handling one’s own problems. So, Christian soldiers’ marching orders probably seem quite strange to onlookers. However, arrogance doesn’t bring blessing; rather, it causes confusion, distance from the Lord, and ultimate failure. If we desire victory, then we must never follow the worldly strategy of facing the enemy alone.

Until our life is over or Jesus Christ returns, we are locked in a battle with Satan. However, we have nothing to fear about that battle when we’re totally dependent upon the Lord for His strength and filled with supernatural energy and endurance.

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