Exploring the Scripture

Today’s lectionary text urges disciples to “put on the whole armor of God” (v. 11). Sunday school classes delight in creating cardboard armor labeled “truth,” “righteousness,” “peace,” “faith,” and “salvation” while they wave the “sword of the Spirit” (v. 17). Some congregations have used this passage to justify a militaristic view of discipleship. Some denominations extend the metaphor to promote “The Warrior Jesus,” complete with hand grenades and automatic weaponry. Unfortunately, Christians have used this passage to persecute those they call heretics, non-Christians, and fellow Christians.

Early disciples were familiar with Isaiah 11:4–5, which clothed the ideal Messianic King with the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and fear of the Lord. He would judge the poor with righteousness, the meek with equity. He would strike the Earth with his words and kill the wicked with his breath. His belt was righteousness, and faithfulness would gird his loins. Isaiah 59:17 describes God donning a breastplate of righteousness, a helmet of salvation, vengeance for clothing, and a mantle of fury to wipe out injustice.

How can we interpret this mix of peaceful and warlike images on which Ephesians is based? Ancient Israel anticipated a Messiah of peace and justice, shepherding his flock and providing bounty for his people. But such blessings would come with a cost.

For Isaiah, vengeance was directed against the enemies and oppressors of Israel. In Ephesians, the warlike armor defends the convert against relapsing into old ways. Turning from pagan lives to Christianity required preparation through prayer and focused effort (v. 18) to deal with the inner warfare between old habits and new transformation.

God’s armor also strengthens Christians persecuted for espousing peace. Early Christians who refused to serve in the Roman militia were imprisoned for sedition. This text reminds Christ’s followers that even in the face of persecution, they must not take up arms against “enemies of blood and flesh” but against “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12).

The reference to powers and authorities pointed toward Roman rulers and systemic injustice as the enemies and the “cosmic powers” of sin, evil, and death (v. 12). Against such pervasive spiritual darkness, Christians stood “strong in the Lord” (v. 10), sharing a gospel of peace, protected only by the “whole armor of God” (v. 11).

The armor pieces represent spiritual resources of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and God’s Word. The sword of the Spirit is the offensive weapon of choice, proclaiming the word. Sharing the word of God is seldom popular, but the Spirit strengthens and equips followers to be strong in witness.

These spiritual resources continue to aid us with our inner struggles. Besides, external powers and principalities exist in our world today. Widespread sex, violence, segregation, and addiction of various kinds influence every facet of our culture. Genocide, wars, nuclear threats, and political sanctions terrorize ordinary people in nations worldwide. Governments wield weapons of fear and want.

Our resources of truth, peace, justice, and faith offer a counter-message of hope and transformation. As an ambassador in chains, the author ends by pleading for prayers to strengthen his own witness and proclamation. We are challenged to take up his cry: “Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak” (v. 20).                       

Project Zion Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. Ancient metaphors portraying Israel’s righteousness in opposing conquerors have been borrowed to represent Christian defense against persecution.
2. The armor pieces represent spiritual resources to combat sin, evil, and death.

3. Sharing the word of God is seldom popular, but the Spirit strengthens and equips followers to be strong in witness.

1. Like the author of Ephesians, we “must speak” against the powers and principalities that rule in our broken world today.

Questions to Consider

1. Where have you faced the militarization of the gospel of Christ’s peace?
2. What spiritual resources do you rely on when you face the difficulties of life, the evils of the world, and the dysfunction of societal systems of injustice?
3. When have you become unpopular for sharing the word of God? How has it influenced your behavior? What is God calling you to do today?
4. When have you witnessed the power of the spoken word to create change and transformation in individual lives? In community and governments?