Putting on the Whole Armor of God Effectively in Ephesians
The concept of putting on the "whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-18 is a central metaphor for Christian spiritual warfare, urging believers to prepare for resistance against spiritual adversaries [1, 2]. This epistle, written by Paul from Rome, does not address specific errors within the Ephesian church but rather aims to instruct believers in profound gospel doctrines and encourage their spiritual growth [3]. The imagery of armor would have been readily understood by Paul's audience, particularly in Rome, given the common sight of Roman soldiers [5].
The exhortation to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) emphasizes that this armor is divine in origin and nature, provided by God for His people [4]. It is not a human invention but a spiritual provision for spiritual battles [4]. This armor is described as a "panoply offensive and defensive," designed to enable believers to "stand against the strategies of the adversary" [1, 5]. The repetition of the command in Ephesians 6:13 underscores its importance, especially in light of the powerful enemies mentioned in the preceding verses [8].
The purpose of donning this armor is to enable believers to "withstand in the evil day" and, having done all, to "stand" [2]. The "evil day" refers to times of special assaults from Satan, which can occur at any moment, making constant readiness essential [6]. This spiritual equipment allows believers to resist the devil's attacks, particularly when evil seems to prevail, and to maintain their firm stance [9]. The armor is primarily for defense, though it includes offensive elements, and its effectiveness comes from God's protection [7, 10].
The components of this spiritual armor, as described in Ephesians 6:14-17, draw parallels with the physical armor of Roman soldiers, but Paul's focus is on God's gifts rather than the precise functions of each piece [10]. These include:
- The Belt of Truth: This signifies grounding in Christ and Scripture, providing stability and protection [10].
- The Breastplate of Righteousness: This can refer to the righteousness God imputes to believers through faith in Christ, or the righteous conduct that results from the Holy Spirit's transformative work [10].
- The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace: These prepare believers to advance with the message of peace.
- The Shield of Faith: This is crucial for extinguishing the "flaming darts of the evil one."
- The Helmet of Salvation: This protects the mind and signifies the assurance of salvation.
- The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: This is the primary offensive weapon, representing the power and authority of Scripture.
The emphasis is on "God's armor," highlighting that its efficacy is derived from Him [4]. John Gill notes that this armor is "what God himself is sometimes clothed with, and uses against his enemies," but here it is provided for His people [4]. The Westminster Confession of Faith, reflecting a Reformed perspective, similarly emphasizes the believer's reliance on God's provision for spiritual strength. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary suggests that putting on "the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14) is synonymous with putting on the whole armor of God, implying that spiritual protection is found in union with Christ [5]. This comprehensive armor ensures that no part of the believer is left vulnerable to Satan's attacks [5].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 6:11 (Rotherham) — Put on the complete armour of God, with a view to your having power to stand against the strategies of the adversary;”
- Ephesians “Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:13”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ephesians, Epistle to — Was written by Paul at Rome about the same time as that to the Colossians, which in many points it resembles. Contents of. The Epistle to the Colossians is mainly polemical, designed to refute certain theosophic errors that had crept into the church there. That to the Ephesians does not seem to have originated in any special circumstances, but is simply a letter springing from Paul's love to the church there, and indicative of his earnest desire that they should be fully instructed in the profound doctrines of the gospel. It contains (1) the s”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God,.... Not that which God himself is sometimes clothed with, and uses against his enemies; but what he has provided for his people, and furnishes them with; the particulars of which are after mentioned: and it is called "the armour of God", because it is prepared by him for his people, and is bestowed on them by him; and because it is in its own nature divine and spiritual, and not carnal; and because it is provided for fighting the Lord's battles, and is used in them; and because the efficacy of it is from him, and the execution it doe”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 6:11: the whole armour--the armor of light (Rom 13:12); on the right hand and left (Co2 6:7). The panoply offensive and defensive. An image readily suggested by the Roman armory, Paul being now in Rome. Repeated emphatically, Eph 6:13. In Rom 13:14 it is, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ"; in putting on Him, and the new man in Him, we put on "the whole armor of God." No opening at the head, the feet, the heart, the belly, the eye, the ear, or the tongue, is to be given to Satan. Believers have once for all overcome him; but on the ground of this fundament”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 6:13: take . . . of God--not "make," God has done that: you have only to "take up" and put it on. The Ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes: thus Paul's allusion would be appropriate. the evil day--the day of Satan's special assaults (Eph 6:12, Eph 6:16) in life and at the dying hour (compare Rev 3:10). We must have our armor always on, to be ready against the evil day which may come at any moment, the war being perpetual (Psa 41:1, Margin). done all--rather, "accomplished all things," namely, necessary to t”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:11: 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor: See Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 10:4-5. It is only by the Lord’s protection that a believer can stand firm against all strategies of the devil (cp. 1 Pet 5:8-9).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 6:13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,.... This is a repetition of the exhortation in Eph 6:11; which repetition seems necessary by reason of the many powerful enemies mentioned in the preceding verse, and serves to explain what is meant by putting it on: and leads on the apostle to give an account of the several parts of this armour: the end of taking it is much the same as before, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day; that is, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles and stratagems of Satan, against his power and might, to oppose his”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:13: 6:13 God’s armor gives believers the ability to resist the attacks of the devil in the time of evil—when evil seems to prevail—and to keep standing firm.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:14: 6:14-17 Paul uses the physical armor worn by Roman soldiers as imagery for spiritual armor used by believers. Most of this equipment is to defend, not to attack. Paul’s focus is not on the precise functions of each piece but on God’s gifts. Grounding in Christ and Scripture provides protection and ability to stand your ground (cp. Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9). 6:14 God’s righteousness: Either the righteousness God credits to those who believe in Christ, or the righteous way of life brought about by the transforming work of the Spirit of God in believers’ lives. The on”