THE MILITANT CHURCH

Lesson 15

Ephesians 6:10–13

Glorious things have been written about the church in the epistle to the Ephesians! The church is the fulfillment of the “mystery” which had never been revealed before. Jew and gentile, rich and poor, bond and free, learned and unlearned—they all meet together in the church. Paul has also spoken of the “dimensions” of the love of Christ which has been revealed in the church. This true church of Jesus Christ is the one outside of which is no salvation (Belgic Confession Art. 28). This church has been organized at Ephesus! The truth has been made known there. The members have tasted of the glorious salvation which Christ has brought. Is it all joy in the life of that church? Surely, God will guard that church. It shall stand to the last day. Even the gates of hell shall not prevail against the true church. However, that church will remain standing only if she recognizes her responsibility and strives valiantly. Those are the things of which the Apostle speaks in the last chapter of this epistle.

“Be strong in the Lord”

The members of this church are counseled to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.” They must realize at the outset that they will not be able to stand, far less conquer, in their own strength. Why not? For the simple reason that they have no strength in themselves! Let them be humble in accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ and let their humility continue in the exercise of their spiritual responsibility. This will become clearer in the following verses. But, the fact that they have no strength in themselves should not discourage them, because they are able to draw on a strength which is far superior to any they could have imagined. They are to be strong in the Lord! They must live close to Him and no evil shall befall them. Only in His power will they be able to do what is required. He has an inexhaustible supply of strength for them. He is the almighty One not only in creation and in providence, He is also the Almighty One for the salvation of His people. He has revealed to them that He is both able and willing to give aid to His people. They can look back at all the things He has done in the past for the help of His people. He led Israel out of Egypt; He gave Canaan into their hand; He slew kings for their sakes; He raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to His right hand. Let them believe in the Lord but let them also stand strong in Him! They will have to strengthen themselves in Him every day and every moment of their lives.

“Put on the Whole Armor of God”

To be able to stand strong in the Lord they will be required to put on the whole armor of God, which he explains later as to its various parts. Let it be clear immediately that it is an armor which He supplies. Also, that it is an armor which believers must put on. God supplies all the things necessary but it is not an evidence of faith to say that if He wishes, He will safeguard them. No, they have the responsibility of putting on this armor which He supplies. Only in this way will they be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Able to Stand

Let them be assured that they will be able to stand in the battle for their souls if they are faithful to the commands which he gives them. This may be difficult for them to grasp because they will have to face the wiles of the devil! Paul believes there is a personal devil. He believes there is that person of the most extreme evil who attacks the church and seeks to destroy it (Rev. 12). He is afraid of this power because he knows it is great and ruthless. Yet, the power of Jesus Christ is far greater than that of the devil. The Lord will finally vanquish him. But, they, the members of the church, must stand in the strength of the Lord! That is the only safe place.

“Wiles of the Devil”

Not only does he speak of the devil as their antagonist, but he reminds them of the “wiles” of the devil. He doesn’t fight fairly. He uses deception. He uses ambush. He uses any methods available to him. He mixes truth and error. He even comes with the words of Scripture—as in the temptations of our Lord. He reveals himself as an angel of light, while he is the prince of darkness. The people at Ephesus and all who read this epistle must therefore be on their guard. The prayer “Lead us not into temptation” receives new urgency here. How shall they ever be able to stand against such a dreadful and ruthless power which also makes use of every means of deception? Humanly speaking, they will not be able to stand. But, God has supplied them with armor. That is all they need—but they need this desperately. No armor of man will do. Putting on the whole armor of God they will be able to stand, i.e., hold their ground. They will not be overcome by the evil one. The victory will ultimately belong to the Christ and to those who have placed their trust in Him.

A Spiritual Warfare

Now the Apostle informs his readers as to the nature of the battle in which they will be engaged. He says that the wrestling is not against flesh and blood. It is not against men or other physical creatures. If it were, it would be an equal match. Then they might find an armor which would satisfy. Men have often mistakenly thought their enemy to be other men. But, this is not the case. In the previous verse Paul has spoken of the wiles of the devil and he now explains more fully what kind of adversary the believers will meet. It is a spiritual conflict. The foe cannot be seen. The foe does not have the weaknesses which are common to men. He, or they, have tremendous power. He refers to them here as “principalities,” “powers,” “world rulers of this darkness,” “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” This is a description of the host of the wicked fallen angels. These are the ones who dared to defy God and were cast out of the heavens. Believers are completely surrounded by these evil forces. They have no moment of truce. The tactics of this evil host change constantly but the goal always remains the same: ruin the work of God! It is difficult to fight this kind of a foe because it is an overwhelming host. It has superhuman power.

Controlling Powers

When the Apostle speaks of the world rulers of this darkness we see some of the means which they employ for the destruction of the faith of God’s people. The evil one is in control of the false philosophies which fill this world. This is the darkness which even attacks the revelation of God! At the instigation of the evil one, men sit in judgment on the word of God itself. This darkness blinds men and leads them astray. It has slain its thousands throughout the history of the church. This darkness is not lifted as time progresses but becomes deeper. This darkness achieves its greatest triumph in the days of Antichrist. Believers must be on their guard that they are not misled by these world–rulers of this darkness. God allows them to rule in this realm for this time.

Paul also speaks of “the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Does he mean that these have invaded heaven itself? No, when he here speaks of the heavenly places he means that it is the area which does not belong to this earth. It is in line with his emphasis on the fact that these are spiritual forces and therefore do not belong to the mundane. Christians must know the enemy well in order that they may make the proper preparation. He who underestimates the strength of the enemy will be destroyed.

Take the Whole Armor

One is able to speak of the strife of the entire church or of the strife of the individual believer. Paul shows us that the strife is personal and that it is intense as well as a strife of the entire body of believers. Therefore they are to take up the whole armor of God. Every piece has its purpose and the one who will fight in this battle will not be able to do without any part of this armor. Wherever there is a “chink” in the armor, the evil one will find a way to defeat the one who has been careless. But, if the whole armor is employed, you will be able to withstand in the evil day. In other words, victory is guaranteed to those who are faithful and obedient. That evil day of which Paul speaks cannot be avoided. There comes the time in the life of every child of God when he is vulnerable. The evil one then attacks with all his fury. But, even in that evil day you will be able to stand if you are clad with the whole armor of God.

An Offensive Weapon

Although these words are introductory to the description of the various pieces of this whole armor of God and each piece of it does not pass in review here, we must not lose sight of the fact that this armor is not only for defense. It includes also the sword of the Spirit with which the believer goes on the offensive. Jesus told His disciples to go out into the whole world and conquer it for Him by making disciples of all nations. So the church goes out with the gospel throughout the history of the church. So also does the individual believer go out with the claims of Jesus Christ into every area of life. It is true that the believer must be safeguarded in his strife with evil, but more is necessary. He must put on the whole armor of God to do the work of Jesus Christ in this world.

Assured Victory

It is riot mere repetition of words when the Apostle says in the closing words of verse 13: “and having done all, to stand.” He emphasizes the fact that readers will be able to hold their ground when they have put on the whole armor of God. When all is said and done they will be victorious! The evil one, even with all his power and deceit, has not been able to conquer them. They are then still strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

The warning in these words is, of course, clear. The man who is writing these words is indeed inspired by the Spirit of God, but is also writing out of his own experience. How the devil has sought to capture Paul! It seemed as though he had him in his early years, but the Lord took him out of satan’s grasp. Later he fought the good fight—and he kept the faith! No one shall separate us from the love of God! None shall snatch us out of His hand! Strife? Yes, but there is no doubt about the outcome for those who have put on the whole armor of God.

Questions for discussion:

1. Seeing Christ has fought the battle for us, why must we fight for our faith? 2. Is “Knowing the Lord” the same as being strong in the Lord? How do we become strong in the Lord? 3. To believe there is a personal devil is ridiculed today. Do you think the devil appreciates this? 4. How do the ungodly philosophies disturb the faith today? Do you think that the “newer” interpretation of the Bible is included in the present “darkness”? 5. Do we fight valiantly the battle for the truth when we ignore or criticize our confessions? Why?    

THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

Lesson 16

Ephesians 6:14–24

Before coming to the close of this beautiful epistle, Paul goes into detail concerning the armor of God to which he has referred in the previous verses. The interpreter must always be careful that he does justice to the figure which the writer employs, and yet not press every detail concerning the various pieces of armor so that he misses the purpose for which the illustration is used.

An Armed Stand

Paul again begins with the words “stand therefore.” This he emphasized in verse 11, “that ye may be able to stand;” verse 13 “that ye may be able to withstand . . . and having done all, to stand.” There is great danger lurking everywhere for these Ephesian Christians and Paul wants to safeguard them against all the pitfalls of spiritual life. The only way they will be able to hold their ground is by putting on the whole armor of God.

Paul uses the imagery of the armor elsewhere in his writings. In I Thessalonians 5:8 he mentions some of the pieces of this armor. However, nowhere else does he speak of this armor as completely as he does in this last chapter of Ephesians. He, no doubt, has in mind the Roman soldier of his day. The Roman soldier was well equipped and certainly had been successful. To be able to stand in the spiritual conflict one must be just as well equipped.

The Girdle of Truth

First of all he speaks of the loins being girded with the truth. He refers to the belt worn by the Roman soldier wherewith he gathered up his loose garments. This is the only way the soldier will be prepared to fight. The Christian must first of all be truthful, sincere, dependable. If he is not, none of the other pieces of armor will do him any good.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Roman soldier also had a breastplate which covered the front and back of the person and protected his vital organs. It covered him from the neck to the thighs. This was a most important piece of equipment because it gave protection in battle against both arrow and sword and javelin. The Christian must have a breastplate when he goes into spiritual battle and his breastplate is his righteousness. The righteousness of Christ is not meant, but his own subjective righteousness as a believer. His moral rectitude! No one can do battle, much less stand in that warfare, if his own righteousness is lacking. The life which he lives in obedience to the law of his God must furnish him protection in battle! How can he fight if he does not live the life which is required by his Lord?

The Footwear of the Gospel

The feet must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Romans had placed great emphasis on the sturdy footwear of their soldiers because only the well-shod army is able to move quickly and for long distances. The soldier must not be shod with the sandal common to life. The soldier in the spiritual battle must be ready at any time to move against the opponent. The shoes do not picture the gospel itself, but the preparation to use the gospel! To “buy up the opportunity.” To be ready when the opportunity presents itself to bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Shield of Faith

The believer is also commanded to take up the shield of faith wherewith he may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. The opponents would dip their arrows in a tar-like substance, light them, and then shoot at the opposing army. The shield which the Roman soldier carried was to be used to defend against these arrows. If one would get beyond the shield, great damage would be done and life would be threatened. To say that the Christian warrior must go out in faith is saying the obvious. But, what does this faith accomplish? It is your shield, says the Apostle. Only with that faith will you be able to extinguish the fiery darts which the evil one, the devil, sends at you! Without faith no one will be able to stand. Notice, however, that even when that faith is exercised it does not mean that the evil one will not fire his arrows at the Christian; it only means that these arrows will not penetrate to do vital damage to his person.

The Helmet of Salvation

“And take the helmet of salvation.” Who would go into battle with his head uncovered? Such a person would be courting disaster. The soldier of Paul’s day placed a sturdy helmet on his head to protect that vital part of the body. Salvation plays that role in the battle of faith, says the Apostle. It is offered! Who would be so foolish that he would not take it? If his salvation is still questionable, a person will soon fall in battle with the evil one. This writer also believes that this salvation protects his thinking. Having salvation through the blood of Christ, he will not fall victim to the false philosophies of the world.

The Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God

The Christian must also take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This is really the only offensive weapon mentioned. There are some commentators who see offensive properties in some of the other parts of this armor, but this seems farfetched. However, the sword is the primary weapon of offense. No soldier is merely going to stand on the battlefield well-protected against all opposing weapons; he is there first of all to conquer! The only offensive weapon of the Christian, says Paul, is the word of God! But, remember, that is the sword of the Spirit. It is Spirit filled and directed. With that sword one is able to vanquish any foe. Let the Christian realize that with this sword he invades the territory of the opposition and conquers the opposition. The child of God is not standing, though well-protected, on a battlefield to see whether or not he will be able to endure. No, he must go on the attack! That sword has wrought great things! If that sword is blunted in any way, the Christian is helpless. The imagery used by the apostle in this chapter should alert us to the dangers whereby we are surrounded. It is not only satan’s arrows which we are to fear; we are to fear the attempts to take the sword of the Spirit out of our hands!

Completely Equipped

Equipped with this whole armor of God (panoply), the believer will be able to stand. He is not placed as a defenseless individual in the midst of this world. The Lord does not throw him to the wolves! God gives him whatever he needs to be able not only to stand, but even to rob Satan of his ill-gotten goods. The Christian is not able to get along with less than that which is here offered. He must take up the whole armor of God!

lndispensible Prayer

The whole armor of God reveals to us how much the believer has received out of the hand of his God to be able to function in the way he should in this world. Many indeed are the spiritual gifts given to the child of God. Properly using these he will be able to stand in the evil day. However, there is one other item absolutely necessary in order that he may be able to stand. This is prayer. He cannot live without it. He must even put on each part of the armor prayerfully. This is also the way he goes into battle—with prayer and supplication. He prays on all occasions and he does so in harmony with the Spirit of God. Such a person perseveres in prayer for all the saints. He lives in the spirit of the communion of saints. Prayers one for another are natural to those who love the Lord.

Paul also asks that the readers may remember him in their prayers. We must remember that he was in prison at the time he wrote this epistle. This was the first imprisonment at Rome. He does not ask them to pray for his release, but that “utterance may be given unto me.” He prays that he will be found faithful in the infrequent occasions he has to bear testimony to his Lord. Of course, he is not able to go out to preach the gospel as in former days. But, he is in the presence of members of the Roman guard. He may also be brought into a courtroom again. Let him then be able to give the word of God to those who are his jailors. Boldness in making known the mystery of the gospel will be difficult. May he have the spiritual strength in that day to be faithful!

Ambassador in Chains

The fact that he is in prison is not one which he seeks to hide as though he is ashamed of it, because he is being held in prison on account of his faithfulness. Those who are not faithful to their Lord are not being imprisoned by Caesar. It is a badge of honor that he is in prison. But, he is an “ambassador” in prison. He is the emissary of the great King. Surely, the King whom he represents will not allow him to remain in prison! Let those who have incarcerated him realize that they are hereby bringing dishonor on the name of the King whom Paul represents. We would also think that this man ought to be free to publish abroad the gospel of Jesus Christ. But no, his Lord allows him to be imprisoned so that he may speak to an individual here and another later and that he may have time to write these glorious prison epistles!

Faithful Helpers

There has been concern in the churches about the Apostle‘s welfare. The very fact that they receive an epistle from his hand cheers them but they would like to know more of the details concerning his life. Tychicus is bringing this letter. He is a most dependable helper of Paul. When he comes they will be able to ask Tychicus and he will be able to tell them how Paul is doing. What a blessing that this man has helpers whom he can trust. He can trust them with the precious letters which have been laboriously written and can also trust them to comfort the hearts of the members of the churches. Timothy and Titus; are such helpers, as is also Tychicus. Paul always has the welfare of the churches in mind. He is afraid that the people may fall away from the way which he has shown them. They must be helped. They must not draw the wrong conclusions from the fact that he is imprisoned. Let them put on the whole armor of God prayerfully, and let them remember him in these prayers.

Benediction

A beautiful benediction closes the book. He speaks of peace and love and faith and grace to be given to them by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Many have wondered about the order in which these blessings are named. This is a totally useless exercise. All these blessings belong to the brethren. All these proceed only from the Triune God. The Apostle ends with a beautiful description of the “brethren.” They are those who love the Lord Jesus Christ with an imperishable love.

In the communion of saints; in the body of Jesus Christ; in the church of our Blessed Redeemer are all the blessings found of which he has spoken in this letter. It is a wonderful benefit to belong to the true church of Christ!

Questions for discussion:

1. How are the details of an illustration sometimes pressed so that we lose sight of the meaning the author has in mind? Is this also done with the interpretation of parables? 2. In I Thessalonians 5:8 the same author speaks of “the breastplate of faith and love,” while here he speaks of the “breastplate of righteousness.” Is there a conflict? Must these passages be harmonized? Or could you imagine that this “breastplate” might even mean other things in other connections? 3. Is the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” still quite sharp today? Do those who deny the factual character of any part of Scripture still have the “sword of the Spirit”? 4. Can anything be accomplished, even in full armor, without prayer? 5. Would any king worthy of the name, allow his ambassador to another land to be imprisoned? Do God’s ways sometimes shake our faith? 6. Why is Ephesians an important part of Scripture?