Ephesians 6: A Brief Look at the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20 New Living Translation

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

“Ephesus was a strategic city, ranking in importance with Alexandria in Egypt and Antioch of Syria as a port. It lay on the most western edge of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), the most important port on the Aegean Sea on the main route from Rome to the East.”⁽¹⁾Ephesus was roughly 300 miles due east across the Aegean Sea from Athens, Greece.                        

            Chapter 6 of Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus begins with instructions for children to obey and respect their parents and for parents not to provoke their children to anger. He then tells slaves to obey their masters and masters not to treat their slaves poorly. Paul then concludes his letter with a section on the Armor of God. He introduces this topic by saying, “A final word: …”, which indicates he is about to finish his correspondence.

            The Apostle’s final word to the Ephesian believers is to be strong in the mighty power of God.  They are not being asked to be strong using their own resources, because Paul knows their resources are limited and pitifully lacking compared to the resources God offers them. What is true for the Ephesian Christians is also true for us. Just as Jesus said in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Therefore, it is imperative to remain in the Lord by virtue of not just reading, but digesting his word. It tells us how to live a godly life by tapping into his plentiful resources.

            Tomorrow we move to verse 11 and begin touching on these resources, namely the Armor of God. Until next time, walk with the one true God and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

⁽¹⁾ Location of Ephesus, p. 2613, The Life Application Study Bible.