As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Ephesians he concludes with an exhortation - "be strong in the Lord". Here is an exhortation to faithful service, to discipleship.

v10. "Be strengthened in the Lord". The source of this courage is found "in the Lord." He is the one who will strengthen us in the trials of life. This strengthening Paul calls God's "mighty power", the power that raised Christ to life, Eph.1:19-20. It is the power that comes from the operation of the Holy Spirit in our inner psyche, Eph.3:16.

v11. The means of strengthening Paul describes as armor for attack and defence. This armor comes from God and enables the wearer to stand against the deceitful attack of the devil. Paul has already described these schemes earlier in his letter, 4:26-27, where the attack of the powers of darkness serves to undermine fellowship in the church by working on anger or hurts.

v12. Paul now goes on to describe more fully these evil powers which seek to attack us. He reminds his readers that our real battle is not against the circumstances of life, or even against evil people. The real battle is spiritual, and to stand in this battle it is necessary to possess spiritual armor - "the full armor of God." Paul gives a number of titles to these evil powers and sums them up in the phrase, "spiritual forces of evil." It is fascinating to realize that not only do they inhabit the earth, but they also reside in the "heavenly realms." That is, their headquarters are in the spiritual domain, but of course, Christ is bringing them into subjection to himself.

v13. These powers of darkness will confront us in the "day of evil" and it is then we must be found wearing God's armor. The evil day is the time of the great tribulation at the return of Christ, but it is also every shadow of this day that regularly inflicts the human race. The armor will enable us to stand as a good soldier, fully doing our duty - to stand and not retreat.

v14-18. The armor is now described piece by piece. The imagery used may come from Isaiah 59:17, and is an image already used by Paul, 1Thess.5:8. There is some debate about the meaning of the armor analogy. For example, is the belt of truth theology/wisdom, or is it truthfulness? This type of question applies to each individual piece. It is likely that Paul is illustrating elements which derive from the character of Christ and can be ours by grace through faith.

i] The belt. As Christian soldiers prepared for battle, we are to put on truthfulness like a belt. In simple terms, tell the truth.

ii] The breastplate. We are to put on right behavior like a breastplate. Be Christ-like is the exhortation.

iii] Shoes. We are to put on peacefulness like shoes. The most popular interpretation is in terms of witnessing, evangelism. Yet, Paul possibly means something like speaking peace - being peaceful rather than argumentative.

iv] The shield. We are to take up trustworthiness like a shield. Again, this image is often interpreted in the terms of faith in Christ - saving faith. Yet, when treated as an ethical quality, the shield represents faithfulness rather than faith in God.

v] The helmet. We are to put on salvation like a helmet. This image is not an easy one. The most accepted view is to see the image in the terms of assurance - "be sure of your salvation." Yet, this is not really an ethical exhortation, but then there is no need to expect Paul to make all the pieces of armor ethical. To support this view Isaiah 59:17 describes God as wearing victory like a helmet.

vi] The sword. We are to take up prayer like a sword. The accepted interpretation is the taking up of the word of God, the Bible. So, the exhortation is that we read the Bible and believe in it. There is though a strong possibility that the exhortation is to prayer. The sword then represents praying in the Spirit. This view sees the prayer of faith through the Spirit as prayer according to the will of God (prayer that is based on His promises).

John Bunyan used Paul's "armor" imagery in "The Holy War", and in particular, in "The Pilgrim's Progress". In Pilgrim's Progress Christian receives the armor in the armory of the House Beautiful. He is to use it against Apollyon in the next stage of his journey. Only by wearing the armor can he successfully make the journey.

Bunyan made a point of noting that there is no armor for the back. Christian will not be able to run. He must "venture and stand his ground".

In simple terms the armor image illustrates putting on Christ. This involves the impartation of Christ's righteousness, which is a renewing work of the indwelling Spirit, ours by grace through faith.

1. Discuss what the "devil's schemes" might be.

2. Discuss the six elements of a Christian's armor.