Introduction

Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians with a powerful exhortation to stand firm in spiritual warfare by taking up the full armor of God. Rooted in God’s strength and grace, believers are called to rely on His provisions to resist the devil and triumph over spiritual evil. Through prayer and mutual encouragement, the Church remains united as one body in Christ, empowered by God’s might.

Key Points

• Main Point: God is faithfully gracious to empower us with His strength to triumph over all spiritual evil.
• Purpose: Take up the whole armor of God and remain deeply connected with Him as He helps us actively stand firm against all spiritual evil.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Paul urges the Ephesians, called to unite in diversity, live sanctified lives, and navigate household dynamics, to find their strength in the Lord to persevere in these godly practices rooted in God’s abundant saving and reconciling grace. Without remaining connected to Jesus, we can accomplish nothing (John 15:5). Furthermore, unless we equip ourselves with God’s spiritual weapons for warfare, we will lack His strength, become weak, and stray from our holy calling as members of God’s family.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Paul urges Christians to equip themselves with God’s full armor to actively stand against the devil’s deceptions and attacks aimed at derailing them from Christ. Recognizing that the enemy is continuously seeking to undermine our faith, resisting him requires powerful, Spirit-empowered effort. Therefore, standing firm is not a passive act but involves actively taking up God’s armor through the power of His Spirit to effectively counter the devil’s schemes and remain steadfast in our faith.

Ephesians 6:12

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.

Paul emphasizes that our spiritual warfare is primarily intangible, requiring us to use spiritual weapons rather than physical ones. This aligns with his earlier description of our blessings as spiritual. By remaining connected to Christ and wearing His spiritual armor, we gain His strength (6:11) to resist the devil’s active schemes against us. Therefore, when we feel physically, emotionally, or mentally weak, we must stay connected to Christ, put on His spiritual armor, and courageously engage in spiritual warfare to protect our souls within God’s family.

Ephesians 6:13

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.

Paul underscores the necessity of donning the entire armor of God, not just parts, to firmly withstand all spiritual evil. Drawing on prophetic descriptions of God’s weaponry (Isa 59:17), he explains that only with God’s complete armor can we effectively resist the devil’s schemes. Believing that partial reliance on God is sufficient guarantees defeat in spiritual warfare. Instead, we must remain fully connected to Christ and wholly equipped with His virtues, ensuring complete protection and strength against all forms of spiritual attack.

Ephesians 6:14a

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…

Paul highlights the belt of truth as the first component of God’s armor, symbolizing the complete reality that only God possesses and graciously shares with us through His Word, setting us apart as believers. Jesus embodies the truth—the full reality of who God is with us. Without God’s comprehensive perspective, our own corrupted view can leave us vulnerable to deception and sway us away from Christ. Conversely, by donning the belt of truth, we can stand firm against the devil’s lies and persevere in rightly knowing God.

Ephesians 6:14b

…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…

Paul describes the breastplate of righteousness as the second component of God’s armor, representing our right standing with Him through Christ’s complete forgiveness of sins achieved by His death. This breastplate protects our vital organs—the heart and lungs—symbolizing the safeguarding of our inner selves. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins, and His peaceful righteousness alone can guard our hearts today. Embracing His blood makes us pure and secure, as nothing else can provide such steadfast protection. Therefore, by donning the breastplate of righteousness, we rely entirely on Christ’s sacrificial love to guard our lives against spiritual harm.

Ephesians 6:15

…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Paul identifies the shoes of readiness as the third component of God’s armor, symbolizing the preparedness that comes from the gospel of peace with God and with one another (2:14–18). These shoes ensure our safety in Christ and unity with fellow believers, enabling us to effectively resist spiritual evil. With truth as our training and righteousness as our protection, God equips and stabilizes us through the good news of collective safety in Christ, empowering us to face each spiritual challenge with His strength.

Ephesians 6:16

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

Paul describes the shield of faith as our essential external protection against all evil attacks, embodying our confident conviction in God’s truth, righteousness, and peace. By maintaining a close connection with God, our trust in His loving goodness is strengthened, equipping us with the necessary defenses to nullify the devil’s attempts to corrupt our beliefs and understanding of Him. As the Spirit deepens our conviction in God’s goodness and His gifts of truth, righteousness, and peace, we gain the effective defense systems needed to resist and overcome any harm the devil may try to inflict on us.

Ephesians 6:17a

…and take the helmet of salvation…

Paul compares the breastplate that protects our hearts to the helmet that guards our minds, emphasizing that our thoughts are secured by the unbreakable rigor of God’s saving plan—from choosing us before creation to bringing us into His family through Jesus. Because Jesus truly lived, died, and resurrected, we can confidently trust that God will complete His work in us until the end. This assurance serves as a powerful defense for our minds, providing us with the confident knowledge that He who began the good work in us will faithfully carry it through to completion (Phil 1:6).

Ephesians 6:17b

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

God has given us His Word as our sole offensive weapon—the sword that the Spirit wields. Through His Word, God created all things and declared blessings, curses, rewards, and judgments. This powerful, intangible weapon enables the Spirit to defeat the devil by healing the wounded and reconciling us to God. While we might assume our offensive weapons are tangible, God provides an eternal and far more powerful tool in His Word. By embracing the Bible and relying on the Spirit—King Jesus—we can effectively overthrow the devil and his forces, using God’s Word to triumph in spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:18a

…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Paul emphasizes that we cannot effectively use God’s weaponry without Him; without His connection, our efforts become burdens that hinder our faith and weigh us down in this broken world. To wield His armor, we must remain constantly connected to God through prayer—not as an optional practice, but as a necessary daily conversation empowered by His Spirit. Prayer is not an extra for the pious, but the essential means by which we engage with God through Christ. Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Therefore, to effectively utilize God’s weaponry, we must pray without ceasing and stay deeply connected to Him at all times.

Ephesians 6:18b

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul highlights the critical role of prayer, urging us to make supplications for one another and for leaders like himself to gain the wisdom needed to courageously proclaim the gospel of Jesus. He calls on the Ephesians to pray for all Christians, both in Ephesus and beyond, to consistently equip themselves with God’s armor and remain steadfast in Christ. Following Paul’s guidance, we should engage in daily prayer as a vital connection with God and support one another through prayer, ensuring we are strong in the Lord and empowered by His might to effectively stand firm in the spiritual warfare that Christ has already won for us.

Ephesians 6:21–22

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Paul maintains a strong connection with the Ephesian ministry by sending Tychicus to share updates, allowing both him and Tychicus to encourage the Ephesians and inspire them to follow Jesus. Similarly, as one body of Christ with diverse gifts, we can mutually encourage one another by sharing how God is working in our various lives. This ongoing communication spurs us to pursue Christ through love and good deeds, strengthening our collective walk with Him (Hebrews 10:23–25).

Ephesians 6:23–24

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul concludes his letter with a benediction of peace, love, faith, and grace, blessing the Ephesians with the pure love of God that empowers them to love Jesus and the church sincerely. In response, we are called to embody this genuine love by rejecting evil and holding fast to what is good. We should love one another with brotherly affection, honor each other, remain zealous and fervent in spirit, serve the Lord diligently, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, maintain constant prayer, meet the needs of the saints, and practice hospitality, as encouraged in Romans 12:9–13.

Conclusion

Paul’s final exhortation reminds believers of their ultimate reliance on God’s strength and armor in spiritual warfare. Through truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God’s word, we are equipped to stand firm against evil. Prayer and mutual encouragement sustain the Church as one body in Christ, reflecting God’s love, unity, and power to overcome all spiritual opposition.

Summary

• Be strong in the Lord’s might and take up His whole armor to stand firm against the devil’s schemes (6:10–13).
• God’s armor includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His word, equipping us for spiritual warfare (6:14–17).
• Prayer is essential for using God’s armor effectively and for encouraging the Church in spiritual battles (6:18).
• Mutual encouragement unites and strengthens the Church to persevere in following Christ (6:21–22).
• Paul concludes with a benediction of peace, love, faith, and grace from God to all who love Christ (6:23–24).