NOTES for Eph 6:10-24
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. |
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. |
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. |
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. |
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; |
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; |
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. |
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: |
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; |
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, |
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. |
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: |
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. |
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. |
Hide
From the theme of social relations Paul moves to the theme of Christian ministry and its place in society. He immediately proclaims that Christians do not struggle against people, even if those people are in power. Following Jewish usage, he calls people "flesh and blood." The aim of their struggle is the spiritual forces that determine the condition of the fallen world, which he calls "rulers," "authorities," and "controllers of this present darkness" ("world rulers of the darkness of this age"), connecting with them "the breath of evil that is under heaven" ("spiritual hosts of wickedness under heaven," v. 12). The goal of Christians, as we can see, is not the seizure of power or social change as such, but the lessening of the influence of those forces of evil which, while acting mainly through people, are not themselves human, using the human person only as an instrument. Of course, a person can become such an instrument only by giving consent to it.
In saying this, the apostle was probably warning those who were carried away by ideas of religious-political messianism, which were widespread in those days in synagogue and near-synagogue circles. And any struggle for power in general, if it becomes an end in itself, by no means lessens the measure of evil in the world; it gives the spirits of darkness the broadest scope for their activity. Only the Kingdom entering the world can lessen that measure, and therefore the Christian's main task is witness to the Kingdom and to salvation, as well as to the One who brought it into the world. But for this witness to be adequate, the witness needs faithfulness ("truth") and righteousness, without which one cannot share in the Kingdom (vv. 14-15). And the main weapons of the witness in resisting the evil in which the world lies are trust in God ("faith"), righteousness, which is the best witness to the Kingdom, and the Torah, the word of God, which makes it possible to distinguish good from evil and to make the right choice in the difficult situations in which the witness sooner or later will find himself (vv. 14-17). On that choice, in the end, will depend not only the fate of those to whom he bears witness, but also his own salvation.
Readings for 22 July 2025
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
