The Armor of God #7
Paul's call to "put on the whole armour of God" — the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit, given to stand against spiritual opposition.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For 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.
13Wherefore 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.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:10-18, King James Version.
Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with a picture drawn from what he saw every day. He was writing from imprisonment, chained to Roman soldiers (Acts 28:16, 20), and he borrows the parts of a soldier’s equipment to describe how believers are to stand. The passage begins and ends with prayer and strength: “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (verse 10), and “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (verse 18).
The Pieces
| Piece | Verse | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Belt of truth | 14 | Truthfulness and integrity, the gear that holds the rest in place |
| Breastplate of righteousness | 14 | A life aligned with God, protecting the vital center |
| Shoes of the gospel of peace | 15 | Readiness to stand firm and to go with the good news |
| Shield of faith | 16 | Trust in God, able to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” |
| Helmet of salvation | 17 | Assurance of being saved, guarding the mind |
| Sword of the Spirit | 17 | “The word of God,” the only piece used to strike rather than defend |
Several pieces echo Isaiah, where God himself puts on “righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head” (Isaiah 59:17). Paul’s point is that believers are dressed in what God supplies, not in anything of their own.
The Opposition
Verse 12 names the enemy: “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.” The word “wrestle” (pale) describes close, personal struggle, not a distant battle. The verb for the believer’s task is not to charge but to stand, and it recurs through verses 11-14. Standing firm against the “wiles of the devil” (verse 11) is the goal.
Why It Endures
The passage gives a concrete vocabulary for the Christian life as a contest that calls for preparation. It is a staple of sermons, children’s ministry and personal devotion, and it is among the best-known passages in Paul’s letters. Its closing turn to prayer is often overlooked: the armor is put on, and then the soldier prays “for all saints” (verse 18), including Paul himself (verses 19-20).
Key References
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- Isaiah 59:17
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8