Spiritual Warfare: The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
Eph.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Του: ART,gen,sg,m
- λοιπου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- ενδυναμουσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κρατει: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ισχυος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Eph.3.16 (verbal): Same letter/formula: a petition that believers be 'strengthened with power' (ενδυναμουσθε/ενδυναμουθέντες) by God—internal parallel within Ephesians linking divine empowerment to Christian life.
- Col.1.11 (verbal): Uses very similar language ('strengthened with all power' / 'according to his glorious might') emphasizing believers’ strength as God’s power rather than human ability.
- Phil.4.13 (thematic): Paulic theme of strength in Christ: 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me'—both affirm reliance on Christ as the source of strength for Christian action.
- 1 Cor.16.13 (verbal): Contains the imperative to 'be strong' (ἀνδρίζεσθε/κραταιοῦσθε) as part of Paul’s closing exhortations—similar exhortatory tone and call to firmness.
- Isa.40.29 (thematic): Old Testament background: God as the one who gives strength to the weary and increases power—provides theological grounding for the NT motif of divine empowerment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Eph.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ενδυσασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πανοπλιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δυνασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- στηναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- μεθοδειας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διαβολου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 59:17 (verbal): God is depicted as clothing Himself with armor — 'righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation' — imagery that Paul echoes in calling believers to don the 'whole armor of God.'
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (verbal): Uses the same soldierly imagery — 'a breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation' — paralleling the components of the armor Paul describes in Ephesians.
- Romans 13:12-14 (verbal): Exhorts believers to 'put on the armor of light' and to 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ,' using the metaphor of clothing/armoring for moral and spiritual readiness akin to Ephesians 6:11.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (thematic): Frames Christian struggle as spiritual warfare against strongholds and arguments, not fleshly foes, resonating with Ephesians' concern to stand against the devil's schemes with spiritual means.
- Ephesians 6:14-18 (structural): The immediate context that explicates what Paul means by the 'whole armor of God' (belt of truth, breastplate, shield, helmet, sword) — a direct continuation and elaboration of v.11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
- Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the evil one.
Eph.6.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- παλη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- αιμα: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
- και: CONJ
- σαρκα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- αρχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- προς: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- εξουσιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κοσμοκρατορας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σκοτους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- πνευματικα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πονηριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- επουρανιοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (thematic): Contrasts fleshly existence with spiritual warfare; speaks of fighting not by flesh but using spiritual weapons to demolish strongholds—closely parallels Ephesians' emphasis on non‑fleshly struggle against spiritual powers.
- Colossians 1:16 (verbal): Lists cosmic categories ('thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities') echoing Paul's vocabulary for principalities and powers in Ephesians 6:12.
- Colossians 2:15 (thematic): Describes Christ's victory over principalities and powers—the outcome and locus of the spiritual conflict envisaged in Ephesians 6:12.
- Ephesians 3:10 (structural): Within the same letter; speaks of making the manifold wisdom of God known to principalities and powers in heavenly places, linking the same cosmic beings and heavenly realm as in 6:12.
- Revelation 12:7-9 (allusion): Depicts cosmic warfare and the defeat/casting down of the dragon (Satan) and his angels—a broader apocalyptic parallel to the idea of spiritual rulers and conflict in Ephesians 6:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
- For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Eph.6.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- αναλαβετε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πανοπλιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- δυνηθητε: VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,pl
- αντιστηναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πονηρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- απαντα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- κατεργασαμενοι: PART,aor,mid,nom,pl,m
- στηναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Ephesians 6:11 (verbal): Directly adjacent verse commanding believers to ‘put on the full armor of God’—same martial imagery and wording as 6:13.
- Isaiah 59:17 (allusion): Prophetic imagery of God wearing armor (righteousness as breastplate, readiness as helmet) is a likely OT source for Paul’s ‘panoply’ metaphor.
- Romans 13:12-14 (verbal): Uses clothing/armor language (‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ,’ ‘armor of light’) to describe moral readiness—parallels the call to don God’s armor for standing against evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (verbal): Paulic imagery of spiritual protective garments (breastplate of faith and love, helmet of hope) echoes the specific pieces and function of the Christian’s armor.
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 (thematic): Calls Christians to vigilance and to resist the devil so they may stand firm—shares the same theme of standing against evil in the ‘day of trial.’
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand on the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
- Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand, and having done all, to stand firm.
Eph.6.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- στητε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- περιζωσαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οσφυν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ενδυσαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θωρακα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Isaiah 59:17 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel — God/His champion 'put on' righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation, echoing Paul’s imagery of the breastplate of righteousness.
- Isaiah 11:5 (allusion): Isaiah speaks of 'righteousness as a belt' for the Messiah; Ephesians combines belt and righteousness imagery (belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness), drawing on Isaiah’s covenantal-warrior language.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (verbal): Paulic parallel within the New Testament: 'put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation,' reflecting the same armour theme and protective role of righteousness/faith.
- Colossians 3:12-14 (thematic): Uses 'put on' clothing imagery for Christian virtues (compassion, humility, love), thematically parallel to Ephesians’ call to 'put on' truth and righteousness as spiritual garments.
- 1 Peter 1:13 (verbal): 'Gird up the loins of your mind' echoes the girding/belt imagery of Ephesians 6:14; both passages use the girded-waist metaphor to call for readiness and moral vigilance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Stand firm then, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
- Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Eph.6.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- υποδησαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,m,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ετοιμασια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ευαγγελιου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Isa.52.7 (verbal): Direct verbal kinship — speaks of 'beautiful/beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who publish peace' (gospel of peace) and the messenger's feet.
- Rom.10.15 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Isa. 52:7 ('How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace'), linking the image of feet with preaching the gospel.
- Eph.2.14-17 (thematic): Same epistolary theme: Christ as 'our peace' and the proclamation of peace in the gospel that reconciles Jews and Gentiles (gospel = peace).
- Luke 10.5-6 (structural): Instruction to messengers to enter a house and say 'Peace to this house' — connects the missionary/ambulatory role of bearers of peace and the greeting/proclamation of peace.
- Col.1.19-20 (thematic): Describes reconciliation and making peace through Christ (by the blood of the cross), resonating with the content of the 'gospel of peace' proclaimed by the feet.
Alternative generated candidates
- And having fitted your feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace;
- And having shod your feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Eph.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αναλαβοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θυρεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δυνησεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/dep,ind,2,pl
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- βελη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πονηρου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- πεπυρωμενα: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,pl,n
- σβεσαι·: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Ephesians 6:11-17 (structural): Immediate context: the 'shield of faith' is one element in the 'whole armor of God' (belt, breastplate, shield, helmet, sword), explaining its function within the Pauline armor metaphor.
- Isaiah 59:17 (allusion): Isaiah depicts God putting on armor ('he put on righteousness as a breastplate...and a helmet of salvation'), a formative Old Testament image that Ephesians adapts for the Christian's spiritual armor.
- Psalm 91:4 (LXX/Ps. 90:4 MT) (verbal): Speaks of God's 'faithfulness' (or 'truth') as a shield and buckler, linking the protective image of a shield directly with faith/faithfulness as in Eph 6:16.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (verbal): Paul uses similar military imagery elsewhere—'put on the breastplate of faith and love'—associating faith with protective armor and reinforcing the metaphorical function of faith in spiritual struggle.
Alternative generated candidates
- in every circumstance take up the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
- In all things take up the shield of faith, by which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Eph.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- περικεφαλαιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωτηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- δεξασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ρημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 59:17 (verbal): Isaiah depicts God putting on 'a helmet of salvation'—the same helmet imagery Paul adapts for believers in Ephesians.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (thematic): Paul uses nearly identical military imagery—'a helmet, the hope of salvation'—linking hope/salvation with protective headgear.
- Hebrews 4:12 (verbal): Describes the 'word of God' as living and 'sharper than any two-edged sword,' paralleling Paul's identification of the Spirit's sword with God's word.
- Revelation 19:15 (allusion): The victorious Lord is portrayed with a sharp sword coming from his mouth, echoing the motif of divine speech as an instrument of judgment—related to the 'sword of the Spirit'.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 (thematic): Paul explains that the weapons of Christian warfare are not worldly but have divine power—providing the broader theological context for the metaphorical helmet and sword in Ephesians.
Alternative generated candidates
- Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- προσευχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δεησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- προσευχομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- καιρω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- αγρυπνουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- προσκαρτερησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δεησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- περι: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Colossians 4:2 (verbal): Uses very similar wording—'continue steadfastly in prayer' and 'be watchful in it'—mirrors Ephesians' emphasis on persistent, vigilant prayer.
- Philippians 4:6 (verbal): Shares the phrase 'prayer and supplication' and the call to present needs to God in prayer, linking the vocabulary and function of prayer in Paul's letters.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (thematic): 'Pray without ceasing' parallels Ephesians' injunction to pray at all times—both stress continual, unceasing prayer as Christian discipline.
- Romans 8:26-27 (thematic): Describes the Spirit's role in prayer—'the Spirit helps our weakness' and intercedes—resonates with Ephesians' 'in the Spirit' language and the Spirit-enabled nature of prayer.
- Luke 18:1 (thematic): Jesus' parable urging believers to 'always pray and not lose heart' echoes Ephesians' call to perseverance and watchfulness in prayer for the saints.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pray at all times in the Spirit, with every kind of prayer and supplication. To that end be watchful with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
- With all prayer and supplication pray at every time in the Spirit; and with this watchful persistence, make supplication for all the saints.
Eph.6.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- υπερ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ινα: CONJ
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- δοθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ανοιξει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- παρρησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- γνωρισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μυστηριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ευαγγελιου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Colossians 4:3-4 (verbal): Paul asks for prayer that God would 'open a door' and that he might 'make the mystery of Christ' clear—close verbal and thematic overlap with praying that he be given words to openly make known the mystery of the gospel.
- Acts 4:29 (verbal): The early church prays, 'grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness'—a direct parallel in petitioning God for bold speech to proclaim God's message.
- Acts 28:31 (thematic): Paul 'proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance,' reflecting the same goal of open, bold proclamation of the gospel.
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 (thematic): Paul links Christian hope with 'great boldness of speech' (or openness) in ministry—echoing Eph.6:19's concern for bold, unrestricted proclamation of the gospel mystery.
- Colossians 1:28 (thematic): Paul states his ministry aim to 'present everyone mature in Christ' by proclaiming Christ and 'warning and teaching everyone'—a related description of proclaiming and making known the gospel/mystery.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pray also for me, that when I open my mouth a word may be given to me to declare the mystery of the gospel boldly,
- Pray also for me, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph.6.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερ: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- πρεσβευω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- αλυσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- παρρησιασωμαι: VERB,aor,mid,subj,1,sg
- ως: ADV
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Colossians 4:3-4 (verbal): Paul requests prayer that God would open a door to proclaim the mystery of Christ and explicitly states he is in chains for that work—language and situation closely parallel Ephesians 6:20's 'ambassador in chains' and 'that I may speak boldly.'
- Acts 28:30-31 (structural): Paul under custody in Rome yet 'proclaimed the kingdom of God... with all boldness and without hindrance,' reflecting the same reality of imprisoned ministry and bold speaking found in Ephesians 6:20.
- Philippians 1:12-14 (thematic): Paul explains that his imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel and encouraged others to speak the word more boldly—developing the theme of chains serving the cause of bold proclamation present in Ephesians 6:20.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 (thematic): Paul reports that the Lord stood with him and enabled the message to be fully proclaimed despite his being left in chains, echoing Ephesians 6:20's confidence to speak as he ought while imprisoned.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 (thematic): In a catalogue of hardships Paul lists frequent imprisonments and beatings, situating Ephesians 6:20's reference to being 'in chains' within his broader ministry pattern of suffering for the gospel.
Alternative generated candidates
- for which I am ambassador in chains—pray that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.
- for which I am an ambassador in chains—pray that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that when the day of evil comes you may be able to withstand, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace;
in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit; and with this watchfulness and perseverance make supplication for all the saints,
and pray also for me, that words may be given me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains—so that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.