The unseen realm_ The armour of god
16/6/24
Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-20
Questions
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, 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.
In our last study we saw that Paul very much inhabited the Deuteronomy 32/Psalm 82 worldview but in the first century, writing in Greek, and with many gentiles in his audience, leans on the LXX and intertestamental Hellenised Jewish literature for his vocabulary.
We now look at the application. There is an unseen realm that includes spiritual beings opposed to us and God’s creation. How do we fight?
The belt of truth
13 Because of this, take up the full armor of God, in order that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14a Stand therefore, girding your waist with truth,
Paul is probably drawing from Isaiah…
5 And righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
Isaiah 11:5.
What is Isaiah’s context? Who is the original wearer of the belt? How do we wear the belt truth in our daily lives? What is the connection between truth [Paul] and righteousness and faithfulness [Isaiah]?
The breastplate of righteousness
14b and putting on the breastplate of righteousness,
17 And he put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head, and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and he wrapped himself in zeal as in a robe.
Isaiah 59:17
What is Isaiah’s context? Who is the original wearer of breastplate of righteousness? How do we wear the breastplate of righteousness in our daily lives? What is the connection between truth [Paul] and righteousness and faithfulness [Isaiah]?
Preparation of the good news of peace
15 and binding shoes under your feet with the preparation of the good news of peace, How delightful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns as a king.”
Isaiah 52:7
What is Isaiah’s context? Whose feet originally brought the good news of salvation? What is the good news in the context of Isaiah? What was Paul’s good news? How do our feet carry the good news in our daily lives?
Shield of faith
16 in everything taking up the shield of faith, with which you are able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one,
Arnold suggests that although Paul has relied on imagery from Isaiah up to this point he may now be drawing on the Roman idea of a shield.1 However, Paul may well have Abram in mind2…
1 After these things the word of YHWH came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram; I am your shield, and your reward shall be very great.”
Genesis 15:1
What is the context for Abram? Consider the promise made to Abraham and its continuing fulfilment over thousands of years? Consider some ways that God has preserved, and prospered the good news, and not allowed it to be destroyed. Are you encouraged?
Helmet of salvation
17a and receive the helmet of salvation,
Again…
17 And he put on righteousness like a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head,
and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and he wrapped himself in zeal as in a robe.
Isaiah 59:17
And…
8 But because we are of the day, we must be sober, by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation, 9 because God did not appoint us for wrath, but for the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live at the same time with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:8–10
What is the function of a helmet in any context!? How has God protected you? How is God protecting you in ways you probably cannot see?
Sword of the Spirit
17b and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 4 But he shall judge the poor with righteousness, and he shall decide for the needy of the earth with rectitude. And he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and he shall kill the wicked person with the breath of his lips.
Isaiah 11:4.
In Revelation Jesus is repeatedly seen carrying a sword [1:16; 2:12, 16; 6:4, 8; 13:10; 19:15, 21]. What is this sword? Do you think, from the Ephesian context that the sword is God’s word generally or the good news more specifically? A sword can be offensive or defensive3. How do we wield this sword?
Prayer
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19 and for me, that a word may be given to me at the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for the sake of which I am an ambassador in chains, that in them I may speak freely, as it is necessary for me to speak.
Do you find it hard to pray? How might we develop discipline in using this part of the armour of God?
Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians. First Edition. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan Academic, 2010.
Muddiman, John. The Epistle to the Ephesians. Baker Academic, 2004.
Arnold.