Lesson 16: Participate in the Cosmic Struggle (Ephesians 6:10-20)
Just as Ephesians 1:3-14 is the opening doxology that casts a vision for the redemptive work of the Father through the Son in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:10-20 is the letter’s concluding invitation to participate in the ongoing work of God by struggling with the rulers, authorities, and powers in the heavenly places. Having laid the ground of our inclusion into the family of God in chapters 1-3, and inviting believers to imitate God as new creatures in Christ by the power of the Spirit in chapters 4-6, this final section of the letter is a bugle call to participate in the fight against evil. In the strength of the Lord, we engage the powers of evil as we clothe ourselves in God’s own armor of righteousness, salvation, truth, and the gospel of peace. Through the word of God and praying in the Spirit, we can not only stand against evil but also advance the cause of the kingdom of God.
Given the allusions to Isaiah 11:5, 52:7, and 59:17 in Ephesians 6:14-17, “this text portrays the church as a community of ‘divine-warriors’ who continue Christ’s mission by extending the new creation.” It functions, then, to summarize the whole letter. The armor is “more than a defence against the devil, but instead helps expand the new creation inaugurated by Christ’s death and resurrection.” (See Mark D. Owens, “Spiritual Warfare and the Church’s Mission According to Ephesians 6:10-17,” Tyndale Bulletin 67 (2016): 87-103.)
Allusions to Isaiah
| Isaiah: New Exodus | Ephesians: New Creation |
| “Righteousness (δικαιοσύνῃ) shall be the belt (ἐζωσμένος) around his waist (τὴν ὀσφὺν), and faithfulness (ἀληθείᾳ) the belt around his loins” in 11:5. | “Stand, therefore, and fasten the belt (περιζωσάμενοι) of truth (ἀληθείᾳ) around your waist (τὴν ὀσφὺν) and put on the breastplate of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης)” in 6:14. |
| “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings (πόδες εὐαγγελιζομένου ἀκοὴν εἰρήνης, ὡς εὐαγγελιζόμενος ἀγαθά), who proclaim salvation (σωτηρίαν), who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” in 52:7. | “As shoes for your feet (πόδας) put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης)” in 6:15. |
| “He put on righteousness as his breastplate (ἐνεδύσατο δικαιοσύνην ὡς θώρακα), and the helmet of salvation (περικεφαλαίαν σωτηρίου) on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak” in 59:17. | “Put on the breastplate of righteousness (ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης)” in 6:14 and “Take the helmet of salvation (περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου)” in 6:17. |
Wisdom 5:17-20 – “The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor (πανοπλίαν), and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate (ἐνδύσεται θώρακα δικαιοσύνην), and wear impartial justice as a helmet (κόρυθα); he will take holiness as an invincible shield (ἀσπίδα), and sharpen stern wrath for a sword (ῥομφαίαν) and creation will join with him to fight against his frenzied foes.”
Significance of Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul urges his readers to participate in the mission of God to defeat evil by sharing in God’s role as divine warrior (cf. Longman and Reid, God is a Warrior). They dress in God’s armor (thus, God’s truth, righteousness, salvation, gospel of peace, God’s word/sword). This participation is both offensive and defensive. The proclamation and embodiment of the gospel is not only a witness to new creation but a participation in new creation which struggles against cosmic powers and defeats evil in the strength of the Lord. Just as Joshua was encouraged to be strong and defeat the enemy to receive the inheritance (Joshua 1:6), so renewed Israel—as new humanity—participates in the defeat of God’s enemies through God’s strength and ultimately receives an inheritance.