Sermon Tone Analysis

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

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

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,

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.

Eph 4:

This is a modified form of

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.

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

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.

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 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.

The Armor

Belt of truth

Belt of truth

Belt of truth

Belt of truth

Not just a belt but also likely the battle skirt protecting the legs.

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.

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.

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

Shoes of the good news of peace

Isaiah 52:7

Shield of faith

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:

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

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:

As we stand, and as we proclaim the good news, we bear the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

The Weapons

Sword of the Spirit

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (rhema, i.e. spoken) of God