Ephesians 6:10-20: The Call to Spiritual Strength

Ephesians

Feb 10

Introduction

Ephesians 6:10-20 stands as a profound exhortation to believers, urging them to recognize the spiritual warfare inherent in the Christian journey and to equip themselves with the divine armor provided by God. This passage not only underscores the reality of spiritual opposition but also offers a comprehensive strategy for standing firm against such forces.

The Call to Spiritual Strength (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Ephesians 6:10 Be Strong in the Lord

– “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

Paul’s directive to “be strong” emphasizes that the source of a believer’s strength is not self-derived but rooted in the Lord’s mighty power. This aligns with his earlier prayer in Ephesians 3:16, where he desires that believers be “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” The Reformed tradition, as articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith, acknowledges human insufficiency and the necessity of divine empowerment:

“Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation…” (WCF 9.3)

Thus, believers are encouraged to rely wholly on God’s strength, recognizing their own limitations.

Ephesians 6:11-12: Put on the Full Armor of God

– “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.”

Here, Paul delineates the true nature of the Christian’s adversaries. The battle is spiritual, targeting the “spiritual forces of evil.” The Belgic Confession articulates this reality:

“The devils and evil spirits are so depraved that they are enemies of God and every good thing…” (Article 12)

Recognizing the spiritual dimension of this struggle is crucial, as it shifts the focus from human opponents to the underlying malevolent forces.

Ephesians 6:13 That You May be Able to Stand

– “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

The repetition of the command to “put on the full armor of God” underscores its importance. The Heidelberg Catechism reflects on the believer’s perseverance:

“In all our sorrow and persecution, we look to the heavenly head, Christ…” (Q&A 49)

This perspective encourages believers to remain steadfast, trusting in the provisions God has supplied for endurance.

The Components of the Divine Armor (Ephesians 6:14-17)

Paul employs the metaphor of a soldier’s armor to illustrate the spiritual resources available to believers:

1. The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a)

– “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”

The belt secures the soldier’s attire, symbolizing how truth stabilizes the believer. Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6), positioning Himself as the ultimate truth. The Westminster Larger Catechism emphasizes the importance of truthfulness:

“The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are… concealing the truth…” (Q&A 145)

Embracing truth fortifies believers against deception.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)

– “With the breastplate of righteousness in place.”

The breastplate safeguards vital organs, representing the protection righteousness offers. Isaiah 59:17 depicts God Himself donning righteousness as a breastplate. The Belgic Confession affirms that our righteousness before God is found in Christ:

“We rely and rest upon the sole obedience of Christ crucified…” (Article 23)

This imputed righteousness defends believers against accusations.

3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

– “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

Footwear enables a soldier’s mobility. The gospel provides the foundation and readiness for believers to advance. Romans 10:15 echoes this sentiment: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” The Heidelberg Catechism speaks to the comfort derived from the gospel:

“That I am not my own, but belong… to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ…” (Q&A 1)

This assurance propels believers to share the message of peace.

4. The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

– “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The shield offers comprehensive protection. Faith, as trust in God’s promises, quenches the adversary’s attacks. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The Westminster Confession emphasizes faith’s role:

“By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word…” (WCF 14.2)

Such faith neutralizes doubts and temptations.

5. The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)

– “Take the helmet of salvation.”

The helmet protects the head, symbolizing the assurance of salvation guarding the mind. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 refers to “the hope of salvation as a helmet.” The Canons of Dort affirm this assurance:

“The elect… attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election…” (First Head, Article 12)

This confidence shields believers from despair.

6. The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)

– “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The sword, a weapon of both offense and defense, represents the word of God. Jesus Himself wielded Scripture to resist the devil during His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). The Belgic Confession emphasizes the power of the Word, stating:

“We believe that the Holy Scripture is the Word of God, and that it is perfect and necessary for salvation…” (Article 5)

The word of God is a powerful tool, equipping believers to discern truth, resist temptation, and proclaim the gospel.

The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Ephesians 6:18 – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Prayer is essential to the believer’s spiritual armor. While the armor equips believers to stand firm, prayer is the lifeblood that sustains them in the battle. Paul urges believers to pray “on all occasions,” demonstrating the constant need for communion with God. The Heidelberg Catechism notes the importance of prayer:

“Prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us…” (Q&A 116)

Prayer keeps believers alert, enabling them to discern spiritual threats and remain spiritually vigilant.

Ephesians 6:19-20 – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Paul, even in his imprisonment, requests prayer for boldness in proclaiming the gospel. His example demonstrates that spiritual warfare involves not just resisting evil but actively advancing God’s kingdom. The Belgic Confession reflects this call to proclamation:

“Therefore, the preaching of the Word is to be diligently observed…” (Article 29)

Paul’s plea for prayer highlights the necessity of intercession, both for individual strength and for the advancement of God’s purposes in the world.

Meaning for Today

The armor of God described in Ephesians 6 is not a mere historical metaphor but a present and active reality for believers. The struggle against spiritual forces continues in the lives of Christians, and the armor provides the necessary tools to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Recognizing that our strength comes from God, not ourselves, is the first step in the battle. As believers, we are called to be strong in the Lord, putting on His armor daily, staying alert in prayer, and relying on the word of God to guide us.

In our modern world, it can be easy to overlook the spiritual realities that Paul describes. The pressures we face may seem purely physical, but the passage calls us to recognize the unseen spiritual battle that is taking place. Every believer is called to stand firm against these forces, not in their own strength but in the power of God. The full armor of God is not a one-time preparation but an ongoing reality—one that calls for daily commitment to truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. Through prayer, we stay connected to God and receive the strength to endure and the boldness to proclaim the gospel, advancing God’s kingdom in the midst of opposition.

May we, like Paul, be aware of the battle and commit to standing firm, not by our own might but by the strength of the Lord. Let us put on the full armor of God, take up the sword of the Spirit, and pray in the Spirit for ourselves and for others, so that we might stand firm against the schemes of the enemy and advance the gospel with boldness.