Context No. 2832 of 4322 · Ephesians

Ephesians 6:9-24: in context

9You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, 16above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints. 19Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts. 23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

Paul closes Ephesians. First a word to masters: treat your servants the same way, and stop threatening them, for you both answer to the same Master in heaven, who shows no partiality. Then the great charge. Be strong in the Lord, and put on the whole armor of God, because our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against unseen spiritual forces. He names each piece: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and holding it all together, prayer at all times.

Two things stand out. Paul locates the real battle not in the human opponents we can see but in forces we cannot, which changes how we fight: on our knees, in truth and faith, not by tearing into people. And every piece of the armor is God's, not ours. The strength is his, the righteousness his gift, the sword his word. We do not manufacture the armor; we put on what he provides.

In my real struggles, am I fighting flesh and blood with my own resources, or standing in the armor God provides and praying?

Sources

Ephesians 6:12: "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers."
Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day."
2 Corinthians 10:4: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds."