Ephesians
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Overview
Overview
Written by Paul
To the Ephesians
Ephesians was the center of worship to host of Greek and Roman gods
Paul planted the church there in
Ch 1-3: The Gospel Story
Through Jesus, anyone can be adopted into God’s covenant family
God’s plan was always to have a family of restored humans
God achieved this through Jesus by means of the Spirit, all three working together
Reviews the gospel, especially as it relates to restoring non-Jews to life and their adoption into the family
Paul finishes this section by marveling at God’s work and the role he was chosen to play
Ch 4-6: Our Story
Our job is to respond correctly to the new humanity into which we have entered
The family consists of many kinds of people: apostle, pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, all working together in unity to build up the church as a new temple and new humanity with Jesus as the head
We are to take off the old humanity (fruit of the flesh) and put on the new (fruit of the spirit)
Signs of the Spirit:
Singing together
Singing alone
Being thankful
Elevating others
Illustrated by household relationships
Spiritual enemies will try to attack and thwart church unity
Context: Unity
Context: Unity
The main thrust of chapters 4-6 is that God through Christ by means of the Spirit is building up the Church as a new temple and new humanity (), one that reflects the unity of the godhead. The verses leading up to those in our focus passage of are all about how various household relationships should reflect the unity of Christ and the Church, especially that between a husband and wife. Therefore, when we read about the need to stand firm, we should understand that the goal is to do so to promote unity within the body.
The War
The War
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
The Lexham English Bible Chapter 6
10 Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil,
The Lexham English Bible Chapter 6
Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength.
Similar to similar statements from the OT, e.g. and .
Similar to similar statements from the OT, e.g. and .
Similar to similar statements from the OT, e.g. and .
Paul draws additional similarities to the Conquest period under Joshua.
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Eph 4:
This is a modified form of
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
There is some debate as to who are the captives. However, the imagery here suggests Paul is thinking of a Roman Triumph, when a General would return to Rome and enter Rome with a parade of captive enemies. The spoils of his victories he would distribute to his men. The implication here is that Jesus has already won the war, though it is not yet fully over or realized on the earth. In other words, Christ has dethroned the powers and been given reign over the whole world, though those powers are still at work trying to thwart the completion of Christ’s conquest, of which we are both apart and fellow workers.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
Christ overcame the world (John 16:33; Gal. 6:14), and the flesh (Rom. 6:1–6; Gal. 2:20), and the devil (Eph. 1:19–23). In other words, as believers, we do not fight for victory—we fight from victory! The Spirit of God enables us, by faith, to appropriate Christ’s victory for ourselves.
The Enemy
The Enemy
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The Lexham English Bible Chapter 6
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil, 12 because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We must believe that there is an enemy, an adversary, battling against the forces of God, which includes us. If we choose to believe otherwise, we will be surprised and defeated by our enemies, and our ministry will be thwarted.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
The important point is that our battle is not against human beings. It is against spiritual powers. We are wasting our time fighting people when we ought to be fighting the devil who seeks to control people and make them oppose the work of God. During Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, a riot took place that could have destroyed the church (Acts 19:21–41). It wasn’t caused only by Demetrius and his associates, for behind them were Satan and his associates. Certainly Paul and the church prayed, and the opposition was silenced.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
The Armor
The Armor
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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Belt of truth
Belt of truth
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Belt of truth
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Belt of truth
Belt of truth
Belt of truth
Not just a belt but also likely the battle skirt protecting the legs.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
The girdle holds the other parts of the armor together, and truth is the integrating force in the life of the victorious Christian. A man of integrity, with a clear conscience, can face the enemy without fear. The girdle also held the sword.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
The girdle holds the other parts of the armor together, and truth is the integrating force in the life of the victorious Christian. A man of integrity, with a clear conscience, can face the enemy without fear. The girdle also held the sword.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Breastplate of righteousness
Breastplate of righteousness
Breastplate of righteousness
Often made of leather, which even more reminds us that we are to “put on” the righteousness of Christ
Their feet run to evil,
and they are swift to shed innocent blood;
their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;
desolation and destruction are in their highways.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Shoes of the good news of peace
Shoes of the good news of peace
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah 52:7
Shield of faith
Shield of faith
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
The shield was large, usually about four feet by two feet, made of wood, and covered with tough leather. As the soldier held it before him, it protected him from spears, arrows, and “fiery darts.” The edges of these shields were so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall. This suggests that we Christians are not in the battle alone. The “faith” mentioned here is not saving faith, but rather living faith, a trust in the promises and the power of God.
The shield was large, usually about four feet by two feet, made of wood, and covered with tough leather. As the soldier held it before him, it protected him from spears, arrows, and “fiery darts.” The edges of these shields were so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall. This suggests that we Christians are not in the battle alone. The “faith” mentioned here is not saving faith, but rather living faith, a trust in the promises and the power of God.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 58). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
God is often referred to as the shield for his people, who are his by their faith:
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
There’s potentially a more specific meaning here, though. The belt of truth was the foundation, so this isn’t a faith-as-belief. This is more likely faith as fidelity, or confident trust and commitment.
Helmet of salvation
Helmet of salvation
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Jesus name means, “Yahweh saves,” so a helmet of salvation could allude to the preceding passages about acknowledging Jesus as the head of the body, in addition to taking up our new identity in him.
Also, if we think back to the attire of the high priest from Exodus:
“You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
As we stand, and as we proclaim the good news, we bear the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
The Weapons
The Weapons
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (rhema, i.e. spoken) of God
The Word (rhema, i.e. spoken) of God
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Prayer and supplication at all times
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)
This sword is the offensive weapon God provides us. The Roman soldier wore on his girdle a short sword which was used for close-in fighting. Hebrews 4:12 compares the Word of God to a sword, because it is sharp and is able to pierce the inner man just as a material sword pierces the body
Prayer and supplication at all times
Prayer and supplication at all times
Being alert with perseverance
Praying for all the saints
Wartime Mentality
Wartime Mentality
We live in wartime. Yet we know the victory is ours and we fight from victory, not for victory, when we put away our own desires and take up the armor God has provided, which is his own. This is given to every believer that we may be filled with his Spirit, that we may do the works of the Spirit. What are those?
Without the Spirit, we will struggle or fail to submit to one another properly, to live in unity with other believers, and to live with a right understanding and appreciation for what Christ has done for us.
Notes
Notes
If we are at war, for what do we fight? For ourselves? No! We stand, and we do so to promote the truth of the Gospel, that it may go out, and that others, when they look at us, will see that it is a true message for it has radically altered us. We are sent to reclaim those that were lost. We are the hands and feet, the body, that God is using to bring in his people. Therefore, we are not to war with flesh and blood but to stand firm against those spiritual powers attempting to divide us and make us look foolish by tripping us up, that the lost will reject the message, or even that we will not speak it.
Let’s stand together, united, that we may boldly proclaim the gospel, and that the lost will see our unity and love for one another, believe, and be saved!