Before closing the epistle, the Apostle reminds us that we have a spiritual enemy in the same realm as our spiritual blessings—“the heavenlies” (chap. 1:3; 2:2; 6:12). Satan and his emissaries are there in that realm of spiritual activity doing all they can to spoil our enjoyment of Christ and our spiritual blessings in Him. A formidable enemy indeed is arrayed against us, but God has made a full provision for us against that wily foe in the “the whole armour of God.” If we wear it, we will be enabled by the power of God to live in uninterrupted enjoyment of those things that are ours.
The Lord’s Power
Vs. 10—The Apostle first directs our thoughts to the power that is for us before he tells us of the power that is against us. To combat these wily deceptions, we are to be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” If we are to be overcomers in this spiritual battle, we must understand that it can only be in and through the Lord’s strength. It is “His might,” not our own, that will give us to prevail. Human strength will not avail in this battle (1 Sam. 2:9). “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts” (Zech. 4:8). We are very thankful to know that God’s power is greater than the enemy’s (1 John 4:4).
We will only be “strong in the Lord” when we live practically under the Lordship of Christ. This means we are to recognize the Lord’s authority in every aspect of our lives. We cannot expect to have His power in our lives if we live without reference to Him. We fall prey to the deceptions of the enemy because we under estimate Satan’s power, and we over estimate our own (Psa. 118:8; Luke 14:31). Consequently, we don’t use the armour as we should and get duped into something that ultimately distracts us from our spiritual portion in Christ. This is illustrated typically in Joshua 7 in the battle at “Ai.”
The Spiritual Character of the Conflict
Vs. 11—This conflict is not a fleshly battle with literal bombs and guns, but a spiritual battle against “wicked spirits in high places” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). The conflict described here is not what a believer experiences when he struggles with the lusts of the flesh because he is not walking in the Spirit. Such is described in Galatians 5:17. Though a struggle with the flesh can be a very real thing in the life of a believer, it is not a normal Christian experience, because the Bible presents Christian living from the perspective of the believer having put the flesh in the place of death, and it is not asserting itself in his life. The conflict here in Ephesians 6 is what a believer encounters when he is walking in the Spirit. When we judge ourselves, and set our focus on heavenly things, and seek to walk in the practical enjoyment of those things, we will at once find the power of Satan arrayed against us, as described in this chapter. Hence, Galatians 5:17 describes a conflict that results from not walking in the Spirit, whereas Ephesians 6:10-12 describes a conflict that results when a believer does walk in the Spirit.
As “the prince of the power of the air,” Satan moves in the heavenlies. In chapter 2:2 we saw him there opposing the counsel of God and attempting to hinder it from being brought to fruition in regard to the building of the Church. In this chapter he is in the heavenlies to hinder the saints from enjoying Christ and their blessings in Him. It is important to understand that this conflict is not to possess our spiritual blessings, but to walk in the enjoyment of them. Satan is not trying to take away our salvation or our blessings because he knows he can’t. His intent, rather, is on spoiling our enjoyment of our portion in Christ.
Since the believer is seen in this epistle going on well and walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25), he is not as likely to respond to fleshly things as a person in a poor state would. Knowing this, the devil comes at him on a different line of attack. He tries to introduce things into his life that are not necessarily sinful, and use them to distract him from his occupation with Christ. He often uses the cares and duties of this life to get us away from enjoying the Lord. Sometimes he will use people to do his work unknowingly—even well-meaning Christians. Hence, we may be introduced to something as simple as a project, a hobby, a recreation, etc., but behind it is a wile of the devil designed to distract and entangle us in something other than Christ. The result is that we are pre-occupied with it rather than with our portion in Christ. Importing temptations of a fleshly nature into this passage is to misunderstand the context and character of this conflict. Lot’s struggles in Sodom do not depict this conflict in Ephesians 6.
“The wiles of the devil” are things that he presents to us that look fair and innocent, but by them our souls are deceived. The fact that it is in the plural (“wiles”) tells us that Satan has many deceptive lines of attack. What he might use on one Christian he may not use on another. He knows by observation the tendencies of each one of us, and will use a particular line of attack aimed at the place where we are the weakest and most likely to be deceived. Mr. Kelly translates this verse, “the stratagems of the devil.” Stratagem comes from the word strategy and refers to the science of military warfare. What this means is that Satan is planning a special strategy to assault the saints of God. He has designs on our lives! It is not a haphazard attack but a carefully planned out thing. This is a sobering thought.
There is a type in Joshua 9 that illustrates the devil’s work in this way. In the book of Joshua, the Lord led the children of Israel into their inheritance—the land of Canaan (Josh. 5:13-15). Canaan is a type of our heavenly portion in Christ. The Lord had given them the land (Josh. 1:2), but they had to fight to practically possess it and dwell in it. The inhabitants of the land (the Canaanites) are a type of the wicked spirits in the heavenlies who are arrayed against the saints to hinder them from enjoying their portion in Christ. In the 9th chapter some of the inhabitants of the land (the Gibeonites) came to the children of Israel in a wily way and deceived them into making a non-aggression pact with them (vss. 4-15). Not long after, the Israelites discovered that they had been deceived by the Gibeonites. Since Israel had sworn that they would not destroy the Gibeonites, they acquired a problem of their our making. They couldn’t get rid of the Gibeonites, who thereafter became a burden and a distraction to the children of Israel. It all happened because Joshua and the people didn’t seek counsel of the Lord (vs. 14).
The Whole Armour of God
Our responsibility here is to be found wearing “the whole armour of God.” It is not enough to know about each piece of the armour. Being able to explain the meaning and function of them will not give us of the benefit of their protection; we have to wear it—to “put” it on. That is, we have to apply the principles that each piece of armour represents in our lives practically before we’ll get the benefit of them. Note: we have to put it on; God does not do this for us. The “best robe” was put on the prodigal when he came to his father; it depicts the blessings of God in salvation. Hence, the garments of salvation are something that God puts on us when we get saved. But when it comes to “the whole armour of God,” it is something that we must put on—it is our responsibility. Note also: the act of putting it on is in the aorist tense in the Greek. This means we are to be in a state of having done it once and for all. Therefore, it should read, “Having put on ... ” This means that it is not something that we repeatedly put on and take off, as the need arises, but something that is put on once and for all.
In saying, “the whole [complete] armour of God,” he is indicating that it will not be enough for us to wear part of it. It is given to us as a whole, and must be worn in its entirety. Note also that there is no armour for our back. God never intends for us to turn our backs to the enemy and run. In fact, we are told to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). If we are found wearing the armour, the devil will be thwarted in his attempt to preoccupy us with other things and take away our enjoyment of our portion in Christ.
The Powers of Evil
Vs. 12—There is a whole gamut of evil emissaries arrayed against us in the conflict; and they are all trying to deceive and beguile us. The battle is not only against the “devil” (vs. 11); it is “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness [wicked spirits] in high places” (vs. 12). It is a coalition of five kinds of wicked beings. These wicked beings denote different aspects of spiritual evil arrayed against the believer. There is a type of these five enemies in Joshua 10. A coalition of five Canaanite kings gathered to fight against Joshua and the children of Israel in an attempt to stop them from taking the land. “Adonizedek” was the coalition leader, and he stands as a type of Satan who is the chief commander of the wicked beings in heavenly places. He had four other kings under him—“Hoham,” “Piram,” “Japhia,” and “Debir” (Josh. 10:3-4).
The battle in Joshua 10 took place in “Gibeon,” which means “a great hill.” It literally took place on top of a hill, and this speaks of the heavenly places where our spiritual conflict occurs. The children of Israel came from “Gilgal” to meet this enemy. This speaks of self-judgment (Josh. 10:9). At the time of the sun going down, Joshua commanded it to stand still for another whole day. He did this so that they could finish the battle victoriously (Josh. 10:11-14). Since a day with the Lord is as 1000 years (2 Peter 3:8; Psa. 90:4), this speaks of the lengthened-out day of grace, which is now almost 2000 years! It suggests that we will have this conflict with Satan and his emissaries until the Lord comes—the Rapture.
The Evil Day
Vs. 13—We are not living in a time of peace but in a time of war—spiritual war! The Christian life is a continual conflict, and there is no discharge in this warfare. Peter tells us that we need to be “sober” and “vigilant” on account of the movements of our adversary (1 Peter 5:8). Since we never know when or where he will attack, we must live in a state of high alert at all times.
In one sense “the evil day” covers the whole period of Christ’s absence from this world. In another sense it refers to when the enemy makes a special attack on us. These are occasions when the seductive power of the enemy presses on us more closely, as he tries to take us out of communion and away from enjoying our portion in Christ. It is in view of such times that we are to have put on the armour. It is only then we will be able to “stand” against this enemy. Note: it is “stand,” not advance, because there is no advance on the position in which this epistle sees the Christian.
Seven Pieces of Armour
A number of expositors indicate that there are seven pieces to this “panoply of God,” if we include prayer. They are:
THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH—A girdle is a belt, which a man would use to tie back his flowing garments that were worn in those days. This was done so that he could work without hindrance (vs. 14a). In this spiritual battle our “loins” are to be “girt about with truth.” The loins are the hip area of our bodies that move in all our physical activities. To have our loins girded with truth implies that all our movements in life are governed by the principles of the truth of God. This was perfectly exemplified in the Lord Jesus when He was tempted by the devil. The Word of God governed His every movement. He would not take one step that the Word of God and the Spirit of God did not justify (1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently, the devil’s tactics were defeated. Similarly, the principles of God’s Word are to govern all our activities, and the result will be the same—the devil’s ruses that are designed to turn us aside to other things will be thwarted.
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS—The breastplate is a piece of armour worn over the heart for the protection of our affections (vs. 14b). It is called the breastplate of “righteousness” because we need to be on guard against our affections being influenced by something that is not characterized by practical righteousness. The devil is going to purposely aim at our hearts things that are calculated to displace Christ in our affections. Let us be careful then not to love some thing or activity to the point where it lodges in the seat of our affections, and we become engrossed with it. When we become passionate about something, though it may not be intrinsically sinful, there is a great danger of us getting drawn away by it. Knowing this, Satan will try to introduce some innocent-looking thing into our lives that will climb into our hearts. In view of this, we are warned in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
SHOES (Feet Shod)—This is protection for our feet (vs. 15). There are unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control that touch our daily walk with the Lord (of which the feet speak). The devil will use these circumstances in everyday life to disturb our peace and communion, and thus spoil our enjoyment of our portion in Christ. Having our feet “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” meets this attack. It does not refer to being prepared to give the gospel to people we meet—that will not protect us from the subtle attacks of the enemy. The verse is not speaking of what the gospel imparts to others, but what it affects in us. The gospel has brought “peace” to us, and thus prepares us to walk in peace in a world of unrest. It lays a foundation of stability in our souls (which is the meaning of the word “preparation” in the Greek) whereby we are filled with peace. This arms us for the trying circumstances in life that we will surely meet, and the enemy will surely use to gain a point of attack, and thus spoil our enjoyment of the Lord. If we walk with this inner peace that the gospel has brought to us, we will be able to meet those circumstances in the spirit of calmness and not allow them to frustrate us and take us out of communion.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH—This is protection against the enemy’s attempts to disturb our faith and confidence in the Lord (vs. 16). We must not let the “darts” of doubt find their mark in our hearts whereby we let our hands hang down in discouragement. These darts may be questions that we have concerning the Lord’s ways with us in regard to some trouble, disappointment, or sorrow in our lives. If we allow these things to penetrate the recesses of our hearts, we will get discouraged and lose the enjoyment of what is ours in Christ. A fiery dart of the devil is not a sudden desire to gratify some lust within—which is more the conflict in Galatians 5:17. The conflict in Ephesians supposes that the believer is going on in communion with the Lord, and the flesh is not asserting itself in his life. A fiery dart is some diabolical suggestion that the enemy hurls at us that would raise a doubt in our hearts as to the goodness of God. To lift “the shield of faith” is to maintain our confidence in God, believing that everything He allows in our lives is for our ultimate good (Rom. 8:28), because His ways are perfect (Psa. 18:30).
The “fiery darts” may also be the devil’s judgmental accusations aimed at our consciences. Since we have all failed in some way, the enemy will attempt to get us occupied with our shortcomings and failures. In doing so, our eyes will again be taken off Christ. When we lift “the shield of faith,” and believe that God is for us, these attacks are quenched.
THE HELMET OF SALVATION—This is protection for our thoughts (vs. 17a). When things other than Christ occupy our minds, the enemy can introduce distractions that will work to draw us away from enjoying our heavenly portion. When we keep our thoughts fixed on Christ and what we have in Him, it works as a practical deliverance from all kinds of things that the devil would introduce. This is why this piece of armour is called a helmet "of salvation." Satan does not know what we are thinking; he is not omniscient. However, he can bring certain things before us that are calculated to produce certain responses in our hearts, and such suggestions can get us thinking on lines that will draw our thoughts away from Christ. He is very subtle; if a person is going on in communion, as Paul supposes here, Satan will not use evil and wicked things to distract us. Again, this conflict in Ephesians 6 is not about evil that the enemy stirs up in our flesh (as in the conflict in Galatians 5:17), but extraneous things that appear harmless and innocent, but nevertheless, take us on a journey in our thoughts away from Christ. It may be things that concern our career, politics, sports activities, friendships, etc. All such things can be distracting if allowed an undue place in our thoughts. An old brother used to say, “Watch what you think about, and let it be Christ.” “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Isa. 26:3).
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT—This is protection against false motives in our hearts. We may have hidden and ulterior motives in our hearts, of which we are not aware, that the enemy can pick up on and use to draw us out of the path (vs. 17b). “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” is able to discern “the thoughts and intents” of our hearts, and thus expose any wrong motive that might be there (Heb. 4:12). If we let the Spirit of God apply the Word of God in its full weight to our hearts and consciences, He will reveal any deep-rooted and hidden motive that may be there, so that we can judge it in the presence of God (Job 34:32; Psa. 139:23-24). This preserves us from taking false steps through evil motives.
We may have thought that the mention of “the sword of the Spirit” here is our call to attack the devil in an offensive way. However, we are not told anywhere in Scripture to fight, speak to, or run from the devil. But we are told to “resist” him, and if we do, he will flee from us (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). In the context of this chapter, the sword is not to be used on the enemy, but rather, on ourselves! Similarly, upon entering the land of Canaan, the children of Israel were to sharpen their knives, and then use them on themselves (Josh. 5:2).
PRAYER—Finally, we are to meet the enemy on the battlefield on our knees (vs. 18). This speaks of a daily expression of dependence on the Lord for preservation. The armour would not be complete without this. Naturally speaking, in a physical battle this would be a vulnerable position, but it is a place of protection and strength in this spiritual battle in the heavenlies. There is a protective element in “prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Luke 22:40). The enemy cannot touch us when we are in the presence of the Lord in earnest prayer (Deut. 33:12; 2 Kings 6:13-17; 2 Chron. 22:10-12).
The Apostle adds, “Watching thereunto with all perseverance.” The Lord would have us to watch for the answers to our prayers. This points to the exercise of faith. Our tendency is to give up too soon. Our prayers should not only be for our preservation in this battle, but also for the preservation of “all saints” because the enemy is going to assault every one who seeks to go on for the Lord.
As great a servant of God that Paul was, he did not think himself to be beyond the need of the saints’ prayers. He desired their prayers that the work of the Lord might continue and prosper. He understood that there was, and still is, a “great conflict” regarding the truth being ministered to the profit of the saints (Col. 1:28-2:1). Therefore, he asks for the prayers of the Ephesians that he might open his mouth boldly “to make known the mystery of the gospel” (vss. 19-20). The gospel is not the mystery, but it brings us into the blessing of the mystery. The gospel is the means by which a believer participates in what the mystery discloses. Hence, the mystery is the appropriate sequel to the gospel (Rom. 16:25). Note: he did not ask them to pray for his release from prison, or that his circumstances be alleviated. Thus we see in him a lovely picture of submission to what the Lord allowed in his life.
Summary of the Spiritual Meaning of the Armour
Loins girded—moving on right principles in our lives.
Breastplate—having a good conscience with right affections.
Feet shod—walking in a right state of peace and calmness.
Shield of faith—having real confidence in God.
Helmet—having right thoughts.
Sword of the Spirit—having right motives.
Prayer—having a right posture of dependence (on our knees).
Closing Salutations
(Chap. 6:21-24)
In Paul’s closing salutations, “Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” is mentioned. His name appears five times in the New Testament (Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12). His two-fold mission at this time was to inform the saints at Ephesus of the state of the Apostle and also to encourage their hearts.
Paul closes with his usual greetings. “Peace,” “love,” and “grace” is wished on their behalf.