AN EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS OF EPHESIANS 6:10-20
Submitted to the Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity
Dr. Steven Waechter
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
NBST 610 – D01 LUO
Hermeneutics
by
Derrick Carroll (L28257121)
December 11, 2016
Thesis Statement
Thesis: This exegetical paper will prove that wearing the whole armor of God is essential for a
Christian’s survival against all spiritual attacks implemented by the enemy.
ii
Contents
Main Idea …….......................................................................................................................... 1
Passage ………….....…………..……………............................................................................ 2
Outline …………………............................................................................................................ 3
Introduction ……….….............................................................................................................. 5
Context ……...…….................................................................................................................... 6
Content ……………………………….………………………………………………………. 8
Application .................................................................................................................................. 9
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 9
Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 11
Main Idea
The exegetical passage is Ephesians 6:10-20. This passage provides a very clear meaning of the
supernatural spiritual warfare which is noted by the Apostle Paul. This passage shows the reader
that without utilizing the weapons that God provides believers for spiritual warfare, they are
totally underpowered. It shows the believer that victory in this battle can only come through
usage of the divine weapons provided by God.
Exegetical Passage
Ephesians 6:10-20 King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For 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.
13 Wherefore 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.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make
known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
1
Exegetical Paper Outline
I. Introduction
Thesis: This exegetical paper will prove that wearing the whole armor of God is essential for a
Christian’s survival against all spiritual attacks implemented by the enemy.
II. Context
A. Historical-Cultural
B. Literary Context
III. Context
A. The lord’s Strength (v.10)
B. Wearing the armour (v.11a)
C. The Devil’s Plan (v.11b-12)
D. Reminder of How to Wear the Armour (v.13)
E. The Whole Armour
1. The Belt of Truth (v.14)
2. The Breast plate of Righteousness (v.14)
3. Shoes of Peace (v.15)
4. Shield of Faith (v.16)
5. Helmet of Salvation (v.17)
6. The Spiritual Sword (v.17)
7. Prayers
IV. Application
V. Conclusion
Introduction
For the duration of their lives in this world, children of God will forever and constantly be at
war with the evil dark forces and realm of Satan, the evil ruler of this world. Paul discusses, in
this Epistle to the Church at Ephesus, the inherent character or the very essence of the
supernatural, spiritual warfare encountered by every believer, and the equipment God makes
available to effectively and sufficiently resist and guard against “the wiles of the devil”
(Ephesians 6:11).
In Ephesians Chapter 6, Paul lays out the duties that the members of the Church at Ephesus
were to accomplish. But specifically, in Eph. 6: 10-20, he “deals with the believer’s struggle
against the principalities and powers of this world’s darkness, speaking of demonic beings that
are alive and well and are constantly seeking to attack spiritually the heart and soul of
believers.”1 This exegetical paper will prove that wearing the whole armor of God is essential for
a Christian’s survival against all spiritual attacks implemented by the enemy.
Context
Historical-Cultural Context
This epistle to the Ephesians was written around A. D. 62 by the Apostle Paul while he was
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1Gary Staats. Ephesians: A Christological Commentary and Application. (Findlay, OH: Gary
Staats, 2011), 98.
in prison in Rome for the first time. It was delivered by Tychicus, one who Paul trusted to deliver
this letter.
“Paul does not write this letter to the Ephesians to rebuke them for any irregularity of
conduct, like he does the Corinthians, nor for any perversion of the gospel, as he does the
Galatians.”2 He wrote this letter to remind them of God’s great and joyful plan for their lives.
The work that was carried out in the Ephesians city and Church was extraordinary. This great
church can be attributed to the Christians that composed it. But, despite the greatness of the
Church, Paul cautions them of an approaching apostasy that would break down the God-inspired,
organized body of this spiritual church. “A generation later, a message from the Lord in the book
of Revelation commends them for many wonderful things; nevertheless, the Lord warns them,
“you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).”3 This church had not held on to their passion
and dedication to Christ. “If they did not repent and do their first works, the Lord promised that
He would repudiate them.” 4
It is sad that the city of Ephesus no longer exists. But those who held faithful to Christ and all
who held faithful to Him can be comforted by the words of Christ, “To him who overcomes I
will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation
2:4). That’s great news because those who stayed faithful to Christ in Ephesus and those who
remain faithful in the modern-day Church will live forever with the Lord.
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2Turner, Allan. A Study of Ephesians: A Verse by verse study of God’s eternal purpose in and
through Jesus Christ. (Allanita Press, 2002), 2.
3Ibid., 3.
4Ibid., 4.
Literary Context
Ephesians has been criticized on various occasions due to such issues as the constant elevation
of the apostles and Paul. The deep worry about how the apostles and how Paul were portrayed in
Ephesians played an important role in how the apostles and Paul were able to spread the Gospel
effectively and efficiently to those in the early church.
Furthermore, support for Paul as the author of this letter can be found in the epistle itself. The
epistle starts with Paul’s standard and usual greeting, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will
of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you,
and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:1-2). This opening
salutation clearly depicts Paul as the author of this epistle.
While those who deny Paul’s, authorship is still around, they do not have enough evidence to
prove that he is not the writer of the epistle to the Ephesian Church. Any effort to argue that Paul
is the author do very little to harm the established theological significance of this letter for
Christians.
Content
The Lord’s Strength (V. 10)
In chapter 6, in verses 10-12, this is the final section of such a wonderful letter to the Church
at Ephesus. In this part of the letter, Paul discusses the Believer’s struggle with evil. So, he starts
by saying, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” (Ephesians
6:10). Here, Paul wants the reader to understand that “our strength is not in ourselves but in the
Lord.” 5 The battle that is being fought is fought exclusively utilizing the strength of the Lord.
The section of the text reminds the reader of the threat the children of Israel faced and reassures
them of God’s might in the book of II Chronicles 20. The Word of God says,” …. Thus saith the
Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; For the battle is not
yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15). Paul alludes to this some strength that the Church at
Ephesus and even modern-day Believers must find in the Lord.
Wearing the Armor (v.11a)
In the verse of the epistle, Paul encourages the reader to “Put on” God’s armor. The world
Paul uses here is used as a conclusive, firm, authoritative order. The way the word is used here”
is an aorist middle imperative in the Greek meaning put on yourselves in a decisive way, “the
whole armor of God;” this is the fullness of every spiritual piece of equipment that God gives to
us that we need to be able to stand against the whiles, or the methods, of the devil”6 (In his
commentary, Charles Ellicot emphasizes that the entirety of the armor. He mentions that the
strength of God found in the armor comes when one drapes himself/herself with the fullness of
the armor and not just part of it. He says, “To put on the armor that God has given us, that is, by
God-is declared to be to put on the Lord Jesus Christ;” hence it’s completeness corresponds to
the divine perfection of His true humanity.” 7 In other words, putting on his armor means to be
rooted, and grounded in Christ in order to combat the forces of evil.
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5Staats, 98.
6Ibid., 98
7Ellicot, Charles John. A Bible Commentary for English Readers Vol. 7. )New York: Cassell and
Company, Limited, 1897), 16.
The Devil’s Plan (v.11b-12)
The devil truly has a plan against the children of God. Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but
for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10). The devil’s plan for God’s people is total
destruction. So, Paul, in this verse, honestly warns the Church at Ephesus that they will be in a
supernatural battle and struggle against the devil and that the enemy has evil plans and thoughts
towards them. Those plans include several vices which do not include flesh and blood tactics will
cause the Believer to wrestle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). “Paul
seems to be talking about the demonic realm and how there are ranks of ruler-ship of authorities,
of power that dominate this world, or spiritualties of evil and wickedness that inhabit the
heavenly realm.”8 Paul points out that these demonic forces live in the air in our presence. As a
result, believers, must put on the whole armor of God in order to protect themselves from any
spiritual attacks that may arise from the devil.
Reminder of How to Wear the Armor (v.13)
In this verse, the Apostle Paul reminds the readers how they should wear the armor. He reiterates
to them the importance of putting on the whole armor and not just part of it. They are once again
told to put on the entirety of Christ because “ The war, we may observe, is perpetual: but the
fight is one day less, and another more violent, and may be longer or shorter, admitting of
numberless varieties; having exerted yourselves to the utmost, and used by the grace conferred
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8Staats, 98.
upon you, and the means and advantages vouchsafed you, according to the will of God, which
indeed it will be absolutely necessary for you to do; or having gone through all your conflicts,
and accomplished your warfare; to stand victorious and with joy, before the Son of man.”9 In
other words, Paul reminds the Church at Ephesus and the Church as a whole to put on every
aspect of Christ because the enemy has a plethora of approaches which makes the war very
stringent. But being clothed fully in Christ, Christians will always emerge victorious!
The Whole Armor of God- The Components the Belt of Truth (v.14)
The first component of the armor of God is the belt of truth. Paul reminds this Church at
Ephesus that winning any battle starts with the truth; but, not just any truth. Truth in Christ and
Christ as the truth and the true Word of God. This belt of truth reminds the reader of the word of
Jesus where he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me (John 14:6). This segment of the scripture reminds the church that drawing closer to the
Father who brings victory comes only through truth which is Christ Jesus. Benson states that
Believers ought to be good soldiers. And as good soldiers, Christians should arm themselves “not
only with truths of the Gospel, but with the truth of the inward parts, without which all our
knowledge of divine truth will prove but a poor girdle in the evil day.”10 In other words, Paul
admonishes the Ephesian Christ to gird themselves with an absolute true and unwavering
profession of faith, “in opposition to that which is hypocritical, and uprightness of heart in our
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9Benson, Joseph. The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Volume II -Romans
to The Revelation. (New York: Lane & Tippett, 1847), 331.
10Ibid., 331.
whole behavior towards God and man, and in a sincere desire to know and do the will of God, in
all things.”11 This military/truth girdle was very important because it covered any opening the
armor. In other words, the truth in Christ covers any imperfections in the lives of Believers
preventing any type of penetration by the enemy.
The Breastplate of Righteousness (v.14)
Paul further encourages the reader to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate
was important to every soldier because it protected such vital organs as the heart and lungs. Paul
equates righteousness to a breastplate because “in the breast is the seat of conscience, which is
guarded by righteousness imputed to us in our justification, implanted in us in our regeneration,
and practiced by us in consequent obedience to the divine will.”12 Paul did not mention a
shoulder-plate or a back-plate. He only mentioned a breastplate because he wanted the reader to
understand when the devil sent his attacks, “we are always to face our enemies “head on.13
Shoes of Peace (v.15)
Next, the Apostle tells the Ephesians, “and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). In other words, Paul wanted the believers to understand that
although they were in battle against a ruthless enemy, they should walk and live their lives in
peace as they sought after the Lord in their defense. Seeking God during times of distress is the
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11Ibid., 331.
12Ibid., 332.
13Ibid., 332.
only way to have peace. “In this way and no other, will you be enabled to pass through all
difficulties unhurt, surmount all oppositions which obstruct your progress, to endure to the end,
and to finish your course with joy.” 14 Matthew Henry says, “The preparations of the gospel of
peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it,
which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the
difficulties and dangers that may be in it.” 15 In other words, he says resting and living in the
Word of God brings a type of peace with God despite terrible or dreadful circumstances.
Shield of Faith (v.16)
The ancient Roman shield was of the uttermost importance. It was created in such a way that
protected the Roman soldier form tar-dipped arrow tips that were hurled at them via arrows that
were set on fire. The shield was made of wood and was covered in leather. The entire apparatus
was soaked with water so that when the fiery arrow heads struck it, the fire was immediately
quenched. Paul equates the faith of righteousness to a shield. Paul says, if a Believer hides
his/her faith in God, the things the devil throws at him/her will not cause any harm. “Faith is a
shield with which we must quench these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so
render them ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not hurt us.” 16
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14Ibid., 332.
15Matthew Henry. Commentary on; the Whole Bible Volume V1. (Acts to Revelation). )Grand
Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2000), 1031
16Ibid., 1031.
Helmet of Salvation (v.17)
Paul next mentions the helmet of salvation. The helmet was a vital part of the armor because it
protected the head against any type of upper assault. It protected the brain from injury or
Spiritually permanent damage. Paul was trying to get the Ephesians to understand that a part of
the devil’s attack would be a mental attack and that their remembrance of their salvation in Christ
would be vital for survival. Matthew Henry states that the Believer’s salvation and “good hope
keeps us trusting in God, and rejoicing in Him… that is, hope, which has salvation for its
object.”17
The Spiritual Sword (v.17)
In this section of the epistle, Paul mentions “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God.” (Ephesians 6:17). All other parts of the armor are considered defensive. Paul wanted this
group of Believers to understand that their only offense against the devil is the Word of God.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner
________________________________
17Ibid,. 1031-1032.
of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). “It was with this weapon that the Savior
met the tempter in the wilderness, Mt. 4; it is only by this that Satan can now be met.” 18 Without
the word of God, which is the Christian sword, the Believer is defeated even before the war
begin.
Prayer
The last part of the armor is prayer. So many forget this most important portion of the
spiritual armor. Since the war that’s being waged is spiritual, spiritual guidance and direction is
needed. This guidance can only be received through prayer. Barnes says, “it would be well for
the soldier who goes forth to battle to pray- to pray for victory; or to pray that he may be
prepared for death, should he fail.” 19 Paul wanted the Ephesian Church to understand that prayer
blesses all Godly efforts with success to the glory of God. “In every temptation and spiritual
conflict, we are to pray.” 20 Not only should the Believer pray, but he/she should pray all the time,
everywhere, and for every person in the Household of Faith. Clark states that prayer shows that
the Believer is “always depending on Him who can lone save, and who alone can destroy.”21
Application
After researching this passage, several applications for the modern Church were noted. All are
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18Albert Barnes. Barnes New Testament Notes. (Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal
Library, 2003), 3494
19Ibid., 3495.
20Ibid., 3495.
21Clarke, Adam. Clarke’s Commentary: I Corinthians- Philemon. Concord, NC: Wesleyan
Heritage Publication, 1998.
exactly the same as they were for the Ephesian church. First of all, as the modern-day Believer
embarks upon his/her daily struggles, he/she must realize that overcoming can only began with
the truth-truth about the situation at hand and being honest with one’s self. In addition, modern
day Believers are urged to protect his/her heart with the righteousness of Christ. For without it,
the heart would be subject to many kinds of attacks from the enemy that would affect his/her
conscience tremendously. The most important aspect of this text is the ability to maintain one’s
faith. Without a strong belief in Almighty God, defeat in tough situations is eminent. That’s why
it’s so important to have unwavering faith and a strong prayer life coupled with faith.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, the supernatural, spiritual warfare Paul discussed in Ephesians 6:10-20 is
not meant to be fought by the Believer. It is meant to be fought spiritually by the power of God
that exists within each believer. God, however, equips each believer with an armor that helps
him/her survive the battle as he/she goes through this God fought war. The armor includes the
belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of
salvation, the spiritual sword, and prayer. The Ephesian Church and the modern-day Church are
both urged to be prepared at all times for the war being waged by Satan and to put on the whole
armor of God in order to be able to with-stand any type of attack he may bring. Based on this
study, there are many applicable aspects of the text that can be applied to the lives of modern day
Believers. Four very important aspects are embracing to the truth, maintaining a heart of
righteousness, sustain a high level of faith, and maintaining a strong prayer life. This passage is
one of the strongest in the Bible and is very profitable to the Church.
Bibliography
Barnes, Albert. Barnes New Testament Notes. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal
Library, 2003.
Benson, Joseph. The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Volume II -Romans
to The Revelation. New York: Lane & Tippett, 1847.
Clarke, Adam. Clarke’s Commentary: I Corinthians- Philemon. Concord, NC: Wesleyan
Heritage Publication, 1998.
Ellicot, Charles John. A Bible Commentary for English Readers Vol. 7. New York: Cassell and
Company, Limited, 1897.
Henry, Matthew. Commentary on; the Whole Bible Volume V1. (Acts to Revelation). Grand
Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2000.
Staats, Gary. Ephesians: A Christological Commentary and Application. Findlay, OH: Gary
Staats, 2011.
Turner, Allan. A Study of Ephesians: A Verse by verse study of God’s eternal purpose in and
through Jesus Christ. Allanita Press, 2002.
