I am fairly certain I have posted on this subject a few times in the past. What brought me to this devotional today (yes bsides the Holy Spirit’s nudging) was the word preceeding Armour in verse 11. Depending on your translation it likely reads whole, full, complete or all.
It got me thinking being retired Army that there was no way would I prepare for battle and leve an important piece of my battle kit behind. Yet that is exactly what I seems to do daily when I prep for the onslot of spiritual warfare. I mean I grab the essentials, my sword and shield but the other stuff is bulky and cumbersome do I really need it.
The following depiction makes it clear, YES!!! Evil is everywhere and lacking all the tools that God provides canleave us venerable. More important than your American Express card, do not leave home with out your complete kit.
CONTEXT
The relative duties of children, 1–3, and parents, 4; of servants, 5–8, and masters, 9. Paul exhorteth the brethren to resist spiritual enemies by putting on the whole armour of God, 10–17, and by perseverance in prayer, which he requireth for all saints, and particularly for himself, that he might preach the gospel with due boldness, 18–20. He commendeth Tychicus, 21, 22; and concludeth with good wishes to all sincere Christians, 23, 24.
Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 3 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 678.
Ver. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, &c.] Not that which God himself is sometimes clothed with, and uses against his enemies; but what he has provided for his people, and furnishes them with; the particulars of which are after mentioned: and it is called the armour of God, because it is prepared by him for his people, and is bestowed on them by him; and because it is in its own nature divine and spiritual, and not carnal; and because it is provided for fighting the Lord’s battles, and is used in them; and because the efficacy of it is from him, and the execution it does is owing to him: and it is whole, complete, and perfect; and all of it is useful, and no part to be neglected, but all to be taken and put on; which is not to make and provide this armour, but to take it, as in ver. 13 as being ready made and provided, and to expect and prepare for battle, and make use of it; and this supposes saints to be in a warfare state, and that they are in the character of soldiers, and have enemies to fight with, and therefore should be accoutred with proper and suitable armour, to meet them: that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, who is the grand enemy of Christ and his people, and a very powerful and cunning one he is; so that the whole armour of God should be put on, which is proof against all his might and craft, in order to stand against him, oppose him, and fight, and get the victory over him, which in the issue is always obtained by believers; for they not only stand their ground in the strength of Christ, and by the use of their armour confound his schemes, and baffle all his arts and stratagems, but are more than conquerors through him that has loved them.
John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament, vol. 3, The Baptist Commentary Series (London: Mathews and Leigh, 1809), 109.
STUDY
The first thing that should be pointed out is that the Greek word used here by Paul is only found here in Ephesians and only in the context of Armour.
What is the full armour of God? – GotQuestions.org
What does it mean to resist the devil?
DEVOTION
God’s Provided Protection
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand. – Ephesians 6:11
My wife and I put hundreds of miles on our bikes each year, pedaling the trails around West Michigan. To enhance the experience, we have some accessories that we’ve attached to our bikes. Sue has a front light, a back light, an odometer, and a bike lock. My bike has a water-bottle holder. In reality, we could ride our route successfully every day and rack up all those miles without the extras. They’re helpful but optional.
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes about another set of accessories—but these aren’t optional. He said we must “put on” these things to be successful in living out our faith in Jesus. Our lives aren’t easy rides. We’re in a battle in which we must “stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:11), so we must be well equipped.
Without the wisdom of Scripture, we can be swayed to accept error. Without Jesus helping us live out His “truth,” we’ll give in to lies (v. 14). Without the “gospel,” we’ll have no “peace” (v. 15). Without “faith” shielding us, we’ll succumb to doubt (v. 16). Our “salvation” and the Holy Spirit anchor us to live well for God (v. 17). This is our armor.
How vital that we travel the pathways of life protected from its real dangers. We do that when Christ equips us for the challenges along the way—when we “put on” the armor God provides.
By Dave Branon
REFLECT & PRAY
What does it mean for you to “put on” God’s armor? What situations are you facing that require His armor the most?
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me in Scripture how I can stand against Satan’s attacks.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Ephesians 4-6, Paul exhorts believers in Jesus “to live a life worthy of [God’s calling]” (4:1) and not to live like unbelievers (v. 17) whose lives are characterized by “fruitless deeds of darkness” (5:11). Believers are to live a life filled with love as “children of light” (v. 8) because “the days are evil” (v. 16). Concluding his letter, Paul warns his readers of a dangerous, powerful enemy who seeks to destroy them. In combating Satan and his evil forces, believers can stand firm and be victorious if they remain “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (6:10). They will be strengthened by God when they “put on the full armor of God” (vv. 11, 13). Most of this armor is defensive, except for “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Christ used the Scriptures to defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
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