LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

EXEGETICAL PAPER:
Ephesians 6:10-20

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO
DR. MYRON KAUK OF THE LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
NBST 652

BY
PAUL J LIMATO 111
NORFOLK, VA
MAY 2013

CONTENTS
PASSAGE OUTLINE......................................................................................................................
4
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................
5
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTENT............................................................................
6
LITERARY CONTEXT..................................................................................................................
7
CONTENT........................................................................................................................................
10
OUR ONLY OFFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS.................................................................
10
OUR ONLY DEFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS.................................................................
10
THE BATTLE HAS MANY FRONTS.................................................................................
11
GOD GIVES US HIS ARMOR TO FIGHT........................................................................
12
OUR PRAYERS MAKE US ALERT IN THE FIGHT.......................................................
15
APPLICATION................................................................................................................................
17

BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................
19

OUTLINE OF PASSAGE:

I.
OUR ONLY OFFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS: The Power of God gives aid and
advances the believer in the spiritual battle. Vs. 10
II.
OUR ONLY DEFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS: The Armor that God gives us
enables us to defend and stand our ground. Vs. 11
III.

IV.

THE BATTLE HAS MANY FRONTS. Vs. 12

A.

Flesh

B.

The Supernatural

GOD GIVES US HIS ARMOR TO FIGHT. Vs. 13-17

A.

All the Armor works together- vs. 13

B.

Belt: Truth holds it all together-vs. 14

C.

Breastplate: Righteousness protects our heart-vs. 14

D.

Shoes: The Gospel advances-vs. 15

E.

Shield: Faith is what we can hide in for protection- vs. 16

F.

Helmet: Salvation protects our mind-vs. 17

a. Sword: The Word is both offensive and defensive and enables us to be led
by the Spirit in the battle-vs. 17

V.

OUR PRAYERS MAKE US ALERT IN THE FIGHT. Vs. 18-20

Introduction
Those who name the name of Jesus and belong to him are engaged in a battle.
Christians face a battle daily of false teaching. This teaching is proclaimed subtly that one
can trust self and that if one just sets their mind to something then they are capable of
anything. The false teaching is also filled with the lie that one must just think better about
themselves, do better/ try harder, and through this they can have their best life
now. Many set out to try and think and do this without really being prepared for the
battle that they are in. Rather than look to God to defend them and be their source of
satisfaction and protection, they look to self. What is more damaging than this overinflated view of self is that one is continually discouraged, beat down and ill-equipped to
face the battle ahead and through this cry out to God as a last ditch effort for help.
Ephesians 6:10-20 is a passage that one can find an abundance of materials about.
Much of these resources, books, and articles address the Armor of God and how this
Armor can be used to engage in spiritual warfare. Many of these resources, though well
intentioned, miss the mark because they focus on us rather than the source. Until recently,
the author of this paper viewed Ephesians 6:10-20 as go-to for teaching and preaching
about spiritual warfare. When a follower of Jesus seeks to fight this battle apart from
Christ and His good news, they will be ill equipped and ultimately will have no offense,
defense, nor comfort in prayer for the spiritual battle they are facing. Ones focus
requisitely becomes selfish and self-centered and the result is that the gospel is forgotten
and often forsaken. Only through the gospel (the good news) will one truly be prepared
from the battle and be able to sustain the attacks that come their way. Jesus and His good
news is a way of life worth living and He prepares the believer and makes provision to

fight the spiritual battles that most certainly will come in His way of life.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Pauline authorship of the letter of Ephesians is challenged by very few. According
to Clinton Arnold, Pauline authorship of Ephesians was not challenged until the late
eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. It was the outspoken denial of
authenticity by F. C. Baur and his followers, however, which had the greatest influence
on the subsequent course of scholarship. Prior to that time Ephesians was universally
recognized as Pauline. As early as Ignatius (early second century) the letter was quoted as
being from the hand of the apostle. Until recently, British and American evangelical
scholars unanimously affirmed Pauline authorship.1
Those who critique must examine style, original language, historical and literary
context with other Pauline letters. This will result in inadequate proof to prove any thing
other than the conservative biblical precedent of Pauline authorship.2 Bible
commentator Gordon D. Fee argues that Ephesians is too Pauline to
have been written by anyone besides the Apostle himself: The Pauline
nature of the epistle, particularly the subtleties of vocabulary,
language, and theology, are such it is difficult to imagine someone so
thoroughly imbibing the thinking of another as to reproduce him in this
way.3
In spite of the great body of evidence of Paul being the author of Ephesians,
Clinton E. Arnold, Ephesians in Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin and Daniel G.
Reid, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press,
1993), 238.
2
Constable, Thomas L., Dr. Constables Notes on Ephesians 2012 Edition.
(http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/ephesians.pdf, (Accessed 5/4/2013), 1.
3
Gordon D. Fee, Gods Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), 659.
1

Markus Barth believes the book doesnt fit the Apostle Paul's style. Barth purports that it
lacks the passion that is often true of Pauline letters.4 This line of thinking seems to be a
bit of a stretch because even though the tone and words used are not familiar, the
message is consistent with Pauline theology and Paul was an educated person well versed
in a variety of styles of writing.
Another argument for Pauline authorship of Ephesians is the relationship that is
historically founded by the account found in Acts20: 17-38. This passage clearly
describes for the reader an intimate relationship that Paul had with the Ephesians and the
churches there. Opposition to this argument is fueled by the view that Ephesians seems
impersonal and doesnt reflect intimacy. With careful study, one can see an intimacy
exposed by the passionate prayers Paul prays for this church throughout the book. This
argument of impersonal writing is simply speculation. John Stott suggests the possibility
that Ephesians was written to a group of churches and this may be the reason it reads in a
more general way rather than a specific and intimate way.5
The book of Ephesians can be categorized as a prison epistle. This can be
obviously deduced by self-identifying remarks Paul makes when he says he is a "prisoner
of Jesus Christ" (3:1) and an "ambassador for Christ in a chains" (6:20). When one reads
the historical context of Acts 28 and the book of Ephesians, one can clearly see that the
Apostle was living under house arrest in Rome at the time this book was written.6
Ephesus was a City that was situated on the Cayster River three miles from the
Aegean Sea.7 The city of Ephesus was situated on the west coast of Asia Minor (modern4

Stott, John R. W.. The message of Ephesians: God's new society. (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press,
1986), 17.
5
Ibid, 18.
6
Exell, Joseph S.. The Biblical illustrator: Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. 23 vol. ed. (Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978), xi.
7
Miller, H. S.. The Book of Ephesians. (Houghton, NY: The Word Bearer Press, 1931), 7.

day Turkey). Because of being a port, Ephesus was a major center for commerce. This
thriving harbor city ranked with Rome, Alexandria and Syrian Antioch as one of
the greatest cities of the Roman Empire. The apostle Paul spent nearly three years of his
ministry in this center of Asian life. Ephesus was a place known false worship and a
temple was constructed there to false-god Artemis or Diana the fertility goddess. The
temple to these false gods was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World,
because of the ornate and its auspicious size. Ephesus may accurately be called the
leading city of the richest region of the Roman Empire. Politically, the city functioned as
the Roman provincial capital of Asia Minor (from 133 B.C.). Economically, Strabo
(14.1.24) called Ephesus the greatest commercial center in Asia this side of the Taurus
river. Similarly, Aelius Aristides (Orat. 23.24) spoke of Ephesus as the most prosperous
commercial center of the time, controlling the financial affairs of western Asia Minor. A
recent study of Roman milestone markers demonstrates that mileages to other cities in
Asia Minor were measured from Ephesus. Referred to in the inscriptions as the
metropolis of Asia, Ephesus served as the administrative and commercial hub of Asia
Minor.
The Apostle Paul had a deep relationship with the churches in Ephesus. He spent
nearly three years ministering in these churches and seeing them to be established. Paul
clearly understood the battle that the church was facing in this city that was both strategic
and steeped in the worship of false-gods. The book of Ephesians not only addresses the
spiritual needs that Paul would have been well-acquainted with due to his time spent with
them but also is very applicable to the life of the believer today.

LITERARY CONTEXT
The structure of the letter to the Ephesians is clearly explained
as follows by bible commentator Harold Hoehner: Ephesians, similar
to other Pauline letters, is divided into two main parts:
doctrine/theology (chaps. 1-3) and duties or ethics (chaps. 4-6).8 Before
Paul teaches the church how to deal with the spiritual battle, he prepares them
Theologically making sure he grounds everything in Christ.
In the second half of the book, Paul gives his readers practical application. The
author Hoehner further explains, The second portion is the application, or
paraenesis, showing how the doctrine translates into the conduct of
the believers. This portion is subdivided into six sections, five governed
by the imperative walk which is used five times in conjunction with
the inferential conjunction therefore. They are: (1) to walk in unity
(4:1-16); (2) to walk in holiness and not as the Gentiles (4:17-32); (3)
to walk in love by imitating God and abstaining from evil practices (5:16); (4) to walk in light by not becoming involved with the evildoers and
their works (5:7-14); and (5) to walk in wisdom by being controlled by
the Holy Spirit in their domestic and public life (5:15-6:9). The sixth
section begins with Paul enjoining the Ephesians to be strengthened in
the Lord in order to be able to stand against evil powers (6:10-20). A
short conclusion closes the epistle (6:21-24).The church at Ephesus needed
to understand the importance of unity among other believers, without unity the evil forces
8

Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: And Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker,

2002), 61-62
10

of this world will quickly divide the church. The armor of God is the final exhortation to
the Ephesians as they fight the spiritual battle through prayer.9 Paul is clear in his
writing and structure that the battle is to be engaged through Christ and him alone.
CONTENT
OUR ONLY OFFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS-vs.10
Paul begins his letter with doctrine and theology. He does this because he is
leading the Ephesian to an understanding that should give his readers great comfort in the
spiritual battle that they are and will face. The Apostle begins this final portion with the
word finally which echoes back from what he has already reminded the Ephesians
about, which is that they are in Christ.10 He then tells them that strength lies in the
Lord and in the power of His might.
Paul has been preaching, praying, and reminding the Ephesians of the good news
of the gospel. Their ability to be in a relationship with God, be unified in spite of being
Jewish or Gentile, and fight this spiritual battle that he is going to speak of is all
dependent upon Christ. Christ essential was theirs and our only leg to stand on. The
Ephesians must rely on the power of God through Christ to engage in this spiritual battle
and so must the reader today. It is through Christ that they were brought to life (2:1-4)
and it is through Christ that they will engage effectively in spiritual warfare. There is no
other person or thing other than Christ and his good news that has sufficient power or
strength. It is the power of God through His Word and in Christ alone that advances the
believer offensively into battle. The Power of God gives aid and advances the believer in
the spiritual battle.

Ibid, 62.
Ibid, 220.

10

11

OUR ONLY DEFENSE IS THE GOOD NEWS vs. 11

Paul not only addresses the offensive nature of the good news in that strength
and power rest in the Lord, but he also points out the defense is found in Him as well.
Strength and Power must come from Christ and his good news but this is what the
believer also must be equipped with for defense. Paul identifies the armor as what must
be put on for the purpose of standing against the enemy. Paul calls the Ephesians
believers to put on all or the full armor of God, which calls them to ensure they not
forget any items.11 This complete armor is what is needed, just like a complete gospel is
what is necessary for new life. This armor enables the believer to stand. Just as one is
only able to stand in Gods presence through Christ, one is able to stand in battle
through Christ and His good news. He is our only defense.
Paul also tells the reader what or who they must stand against and that is the
devil and his schemes. The devil has many schemes in his arsenal of attacks and
these are dangerous and often under estimated by the believer.12 When the believer does
not where the full armor of God or all of it, they are vulnerable for attack. The Armor that
God gives us enables the believer to defend and stand our ground.
THE BATTLE HAS MANY FRONTS vs. 12
Paul continues his exhortation/ application for spiritual warfare explaining for his
readers the extent of the battle and the fronts in which it will be fought. The battle is vast
and the believer must remain focused on the real battle. Paul explains this by reminding
them that battle is not with physical but rather the battle is with the spiritual. That is not
to say the believer does not struggle with flesh and blood. Paul is showing them that
11

Erdman, Charles R., The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House,
1966), 122.
12
Stott, John R. W.. The message of Ephesians: God's new society. (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity
Press, 1986), 265.

12

although that might be one front for the battle, the battle is on a higher level that is
invisible and is made up of rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of
evil.13 Paul is saying that this battle is being fought on a front that cant always be seen
with the eyes but is real and is on going.
Paul not only describes the front but also he takes careful effort to describe those
who make up this group in the second half of verse twelve. The author Boice mentions
the difference between rulers and authorities. He explains Rulers as those who are in
charge of numerous groups of forces, similar to king or president. He explains
Authorities as those who are in charge of smaller attachments, but have no controlling
power over them. Boice goes on to say, It would seem even the powers of darkens have
divisions to separate and control their forces.14 The forces presence is explained as
being on the earth and the air. It can clearly be understood from this verse that wherever
man is, it is guaranteed to be a place where a battle is going on, even if it cant be seen
with the eyes. Paul also describes the forces on this front as being evil. By this Paul is
explaining that their purposes and desires is for evil rather than good.
GOD GIVES US HIS ARMOR TO FIGHT-vs. 13-17
Paul continues to progress and ground his argument in the good news of the
gospel by saying therefore. The basis for "Put on the full armor of God is being in
Christ. This shows the reader that the full armor is sufficient and belongs to Christ.
Paul also repeats himself in using this phrase "Put on the full armor of God. Whenever a
phrase is repeated, one can be sure it should be taken note of and is worth pressing into to
understand why. Paul is not only giving command, but he is also reminding his readers
13

Boice, James Montgomery. Ephesians: an expositional commentary.( Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker
Books, 1998), 226.
14
Ibid, 227.

13

that they should not engage this battle without it and without all of the armor. Those
engaged in this battle need full protection and Gods armor affords this. Only Gods
armor is sufficient and all of it is needed to protect and nothing else will work in this
battle. Only Gods armor is approved equipment.
Paul in these verses also stresses the importance of standing. He employs the
use of the word stand twice in verse 13 and four times throughout the passage. Paul is
bringing to light the reality that a believer cannot stand on his own. Without the armor of
God the believer is compromised in the battle to the schemes of the devil. Gods armor
must be put on and not taken off. Why? Paul says so that one may be able to stand.
Stott rightly says that this is because the believer cannot move backward but must be
moving forward. 15 The believer must be prepared at all times, even when the battle
doesnt seem eminent.
Paul also tells the reader that they must do everything to stand, which seems as
though the strength is in us but that is not what is being communicated. Rather, Paul is
telling his readers that this armor must stay on. They whole point is that this armor
provides the offense and defense necessary against the schemes and if any part of the
armor is left out, a place of vulnerability is present.
Paul in this section of verses not only describes the purpose of the armor but also
explains the parts. All these parts work together to aid in the believer standing firm. The
"belt of truth" holds the entire unit together. This would explain why the author Excell
says, truth is inward and outward.16 Truth is not simply information; inwardly, it is "no

15

Stott, John R. W.. The message of Ephesians: God's new society. (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity
Press, 1986), 275.
16
Exell, Joseph S.. The Biblical illustrator: Ephesians, Philipians and Colossians. 23 vol. ed. (Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978), 639.

14

self-deception, nor vanity, nor conceit."17 Excell goes on to explain truth as "candor,
frankness, truth to word and life."18 Gods word is truth and without it, the believer will
be unable to stand.
Paul goes on to describe the armor by pointing his reader to the breastplate of
righteousness, which protects the heart. The breastplate covers the front and back of the
soldier. The believers righteousness is in Christ and not themselves, thus their defense is
in Christ and this righteousness should be on display for everyone to see.19 When the
believer is allowing all to see the righteousness of Christ in his life, this makes apparent
the relationship he has with God. This is done by righteous words and deeds displayed in
the believer's life for all to see.20
Paul continues to explain the armor by showing his readers what advances the
believer in the battle and that is having shoes for your feet, being the gospel of peace. 1
Peter 3:15 tell the believer they must "be ready at all times to give an account." Shoes not
only protect the feet but aid in moving forward. Those who belong to Christ must be
equipped with the gospel. This Gospel brings peace to both the believer and those
engaged in the spiritual battle.21 Paul gives hope to the reader and that is peace in a battle.
Paul further explains the armor by pointing out the shield of faith, which
extinguishes the flaming darts of the evil one. For the Ephesians, the type of shield that
would have come to mind would have been a scutum. This shield was normally 4 feet
by 2 1/2 feet. One using this type of shield could literally hide behind it and defend

17

Ibid, 639.
Ibid, 639.
19
Ibid, 639.
20
Boice, James Montgomery. Ephesians: an expositional commentary.( Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker
Books, 1998), 246.
21
Ibid, 247.
18

15

against.22 Believers engaging in a spiritual battle must also find refuge and defense in
their faith in Christ. Faith extinguishes the flaming darts that are hurled at us by the
enemy. Shields were used to protect from attack, as does our faith.23 The shield of faith is
both an offensive and defensive weapon to be used in the arsenal of the believer.
Paul points out the helmet of salvation as well for his readers in his description of
the full armor of God. The helmet of salvation protects the mind and gives the believer
protection in the midst of the battle. Clarity, courage, and staying in the fight all are
battles waged in the mind. Staying the course and security to stand is secured by the
believer putting on the helmet will grant clarity to stand regardless of what is hurled by
the evil one.24
Paul ends his description of the armor of God with the Sword of the Spirit. The
Sword of the Spirit is both an offensive and defensive weapon. The word for sword that
Paul uses would have been a word used to describe a long knife or short sword. This
eludes to a battle that is waged in close combat. Paul also uses the phrase "word of God"
to describe this sword. The word used is rhema, which refers to portions of scripture or
specific verses. Readers of Scripture would immediately picture what Jesus did when he
was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. He employed the sword of the Spirit, the
use of specific verses as a defense and offense against the evil one. The believer must
know scripture and have it memorized for this close combat that is certain to come in the
battle. Ultimately, God gives us His armor to engage in this battle and all of us must be
employed to be successful in the battle.
OUR PRAYERS MAKE US ALERT IN THE FIGHT-vs.18-20
22

Miller, H. S.. The Book of Ephesians. (Houghton, NY: The Word Bearer Press, 1931), 226.
Ibid, 227.
24
Ibid, 248.
23

16

Paul concluded the book of Ephesians and this section on the spiritual battle with
Prayer. He doesnt specifically include prayer in the listing of the armor, but prayer
however is vital in the spiritual battle. Paul doesnt end the list with a period. He
continues the thought by saying praying at all times... For the believer to stand firm in
the battle, the believer must be praying at all times, but particularly in the battle.
Prayer enables the believer to be aware in the battle and when the battle doesnt
seem eminent. The author John Stott concerning this point says that prayer "is to pervade
all our spiritual warfare."25 Prayer should come before, during and after spiritual warfare,
that is why Paul says to "pray on all occasions." The believer needs to pray as he
regularly does, but even more often when in battle. In addition, Paul uses the word
requests; the meaning has been lost in translation, but it means needs. However, they
must be made in the Spirit. When the believer opens himself to the Spirit, he is aware of
what he should be praying.26
Prayer in the Spirit enables the believer to be alert and is an obvious reason to
continue in prayer and to pray without ceasing. The Believer is not only able to call out
to God for themselves in the battle but also lift up others in the battle through intercessory
prayer. Praying frees the believer up to be stay alert and stand firm in the battle.
What were the believers in Ephesus to stand firm for? Why should they put on
the whole armor? Paul says it was so that the gospel would advance throughout this city.
A battle was being waged by the evil one through the false-gods and Paul desired more
than anything that the Gospel would move forward and that the Christians would stand
firm against the onslaught of the enemy.
25

Stott, John R. W.. The message of Ephesians: God's new society. (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity
Press, 1986), 283.
26
Miller, H. S.. The Book of Ephesians. (Houghton, NY: The Word Bearer Press, 1931), 229.

17

Paul knew that his own abilities and defenses in the battle where not sufficient
and that he would fail if he trusted in himself. Paul needed prayer from the believers in
Ephesus that he would trust in Christ and His armor for the fight. Paul needed the
Spirits guidance for the fight. Paul needed to stand firm in his work to advance the
Gospel and this was only possible through God and His armor.
Paul concludes with his explanation of being a prisoner. He desires more than
anything to advance the Gospel and asks them to pray that he would have opportunity to
advance this good news. Paul uses his position to encourage the Ephesians to pray, to be
alert in battle through prayer, and engage in the battle through Christ alone.
APPLICATION
Ephesians 6:10-20 is a passage that will prepare any believer for the spiritual
battle they are in and surely will be in. Paul exposes for all believers that a battle exists,
they are in it, no one escapes the battle, and Christ alone is our source of being victorious
in the spiritual battle. The Ephesian Christians were on the frontlines of a spiritual battle
as they sought to stand firm and take ground for the sake of the gospel. Paul wanted
them to be aware that this battle actually existed and was real.
Christians today need a comprehensive understanding that they are in a battle as
well. It is real and it exists. The Church today must stand firm and take ground for the
sake of the gospel as well. The armor of God is for every believer. The armor is not
optional equipment but must all be taken up to fight spiritual battles that are facing us.
The picture of armor that Paul uses would have been clear in the mind of his
Ephesian readers. Roman soldiers in their armor would have been something daily
experienced by Pauls readers. Even though in our Western Culture we do not regularly

18

see armored soldiers, the picture is clear and understandable that one must be prepared
for a small skirmish or full on war.
Today is a time in history where many dont stand for anything. Christians today
must stand firm in and for the Gospel. Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a letter of
doctrine and application of that doctrine. Believers today must return to the application of
the truth of standing firm, putting on the whole armor of God, and faithfully through
the good news of Jesus engaging in the battle.
Jesus and His good news is a way of life worth living. Only through Him will we
be prepared for the battle. Only He makes provision to fight the spiritual battles that most
certainly will come in His way of life.

19

Bibliography:
Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Clinton E. Arnold, Ephesians: Power and Magic The Concept of Power in Ephesians
In Light of Its Historical Setting. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989.
Peter OBrien, The Letter to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
F.F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.
John R.W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1979.
Francis Foulkes, Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
D. G. Reid, Satan, Devil, in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, ed. Gerald F.
Hawthorne and Ralph P. Martin, Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1993.
D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament, 2nd edition
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Boice, James Montgomery. Ephesians: an expositional commentary. Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Baker Books, 1998.
Exell, Joseph S.. The Biblical illustrator: Ephesians, Philipians and Colossians. [23 vol.
ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978.
Miller, H. S.. The Book of Ephesians. Houghton, NY: The Word Bearer Press, 1931.

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