Later in ephesians, this ruler is labeled the devil 4. As you start this study, ask the holy spirit to help you understand what god has said through paul. The new testament uses various names or titles for our spiritual adversary such as the devil, satan, rulers of darkness, and spiritual forces of. It first presents both the historical and literary contexts followed by an overview of the passage in the context of the letter as a whole. Sep 26, 2018 a chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of ephesians taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Ephesians 6 commentary greek testament critical exegetical. The principles inculcated within this passage of scripture are timeless and should be fully integrated into the life of the modern believer. Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Mar 22, 2009 in the cosmology of ephesians, this world refers to the present age in enmity with god cf. Commentaries for ephesians chapter 6 the duties of children and parents. With this verse we enter into the final exhortation. Now, although this is a battle cry for all christian soldiers, its not just something to get the blood pumping. Feet fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
You may also want to hear this sermon on the same passage. The passage not only retaliate the fact that there is spiritual war, but also castigates us that we are underpowered hopelessly if we dont utilize the weapons provided by god. Ephesians 6 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. And take the helmet of salvation that is, the hope of salvation, as it is expressed in the parallel passage, 1 thessalonians 5. It expounds now its doctrines, now its morals, with such conciseness and such fulness combined that it would be difficult to name any great doctrine, or any essential duty, which has not its place marked in this epistle. The different parts of the christian armor enumerated, ephesians 6.
All christians are to put on spiritual armour against the enemies of their. Parents should be tender towards their children, ephesians 6. The belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. O give me that book at any price, give me the book of god from the preface of sermons on several occasions by john wesley, originally published in 1771. Which is the first commandment with a promise for the promise implied in the second commandment does not belong to the keeping that command in particular, but the whole law. As a pastor and preacher for 32 years, as a lover of books, and as a lover of people, i find arnolds ephesians simply the finest commentary on the book i have ever seen. The churches are to maintain strength, wearing the armor of god, in order to pray that the mystery of the gospel will be proclaimed. While this book begins, paul, an apostle of christ jesus through the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus, and the faithful in christ jesus 1.
But there is also a special will or purpose for each of us. There are zombie movieslike world war zbut zombies have even made it into classical literature. Ephesians 6 armor of god 10 finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. This passage was chosen because it illuminates the necessity of the armor of god for the believer to be victorious daily in. Then you can stand firm against the devils evil plans. All should be strong in the lord, and be armed with his armor, because of their wily, powerful, and numerous foes, ephesians 6. Not all are expected to engage in such bold witness. Read commentary on this popular bible verse and understand the real meaning behind gods word using john gills.
Aug 23, 2015 finally, the boldness for which this armor empowers one is the boldness of witness in speech ephesians 6. Paul had called these christians to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called 4. Ephesians zondervan exegetical commentary on the new. Have you noticed how zombies seem to show up everywhere in our popular culture these days. Everything in these three chapters spells out what is. We must hold our ground as we fight against the pressures of satan and this world. Armor god has prepared us for battle what do i need to know about the passage. Yet all share in this confident life in the midst of difficulty by perseverance in prayer for. We want the things that you want here on earth matthew 6. Spiritual warfare entire book online highly recommended. As we will see as we look carefully at this verse today, it is a battle cry that is not just.
And masters should treat their servants with humanity, ephesians 6. Ephesians 6 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Through jesus, god has provided everything we need to stand against the devils plans. Ephesians 6 commentary all christians are to put on. He shows us this summary through the lens of a great spiritual war. The book provides historical depth wherever it is needed to illuminate the text of ephesians. As any invaded people would, they see themselves as rising to defend their home and territory despite the fact that they probably know that god has given this earth to us as an inheritance this is a spiritual parallel of israel coming out of egypt. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. The book has been preserved and passed down through painstaking efforts. At the end of the day it is completely irrelevant if the particular opponent we face is a principality, a power, or a ruler of the darkness of this age. Verse 17 jesus taught us to pray, the things that you want happen in heaven. This kind of speech would be a gift granted to some, but not all ephesians 4. Im hungry for more id love to read him on any other nt book as well.
Martyrs wrote it and others have suffered intensely for their faithfulness to it. We are instructed to use this amazing power to pray for believers everywhere. All christians are to put on spiritual armour against the enemies of their souls. Children should obey their parents, that they may live long and be happy, ephesians 6. Indeed, in identifying the mystery of the gospel, ephesians 6. The helmet was for the defence of the head, a part which it concerned them most carefully to defend, because one stroke there might easily have proved fatal. The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. Dec 28, 20 paul ends his letter with the fact that a believer lives on a spiritual battlefield. Ephesians 6 commentary commentary critical and explanatory.
In chapter three paul prays for them that they might be strengthened with. The main idea is to be strong in the lord and in his mighty power so you can stand in the face of spiritual warfare. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace. Notice that we need to wear the full armor of god ephesians 6. Paul the author of this letter, realizing that the ephesians were starting to forsake their first love, wrote this epistle to encourage them to love both god and their fellow saints. View essay exegetical paper ephesians 6 10 20 from nbst 610 at liberty university. Hildebrand, of the briercrest bible institute, caronport, saskatchewan, he pointed out to me that the book of acts, chapters 6, 7, and 8, suggests three ways by which the devil tries to hinder the work of the lord. In verse 11, paul tells us to stand against the devils tricks. All of these pieces are linked with one another, and they are all ours because god gave his son for us. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the believer is to receive strength through gods power in order to stand firm against the devil and his schemes. As a soldier in gods army he provides the necessary provisions to survive the spiritual battle vs. Study bible commentary critical and explanatory peoples new testament. Honour that is, love, reverence, obey, assist, in all things.
A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of ephesians taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Christ in us is here our life and indwelling strength. Paul ends his letter with the fact that a believer lives on a spiritual battlefield. The church, in her relation to christ, comprehending and hallowing those earthly relations on which all social unity and hers also is founded, the apostle proceeds to treat of the three greatest of those. The epistle to the ephesians embraces, in its brevity, the whole field of the christian religion.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the lord and in the power of his might. This verse tells us that our warfare is against demons, and theyangels who rose up against godlook upon us as invaders. One of the clearest spiritual warfare definitions from apostles pauls pen is perhaps ephesians 2. The mother is particularly mentioned, as being more liable to be slighted than the father. Here air is understood to be the zone between earth and the heavens which is inhabited and ruled by antagonistic forces exercising control over the world below. Dandelion salad source grace notes an exposition of ephesians 6. The book is quite similar in many ways to colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of christ, where this book emphasizes more the involvement of the church. In addition to the contribution of ephesians chapter 6, we may add several other observations concerning the spiritual war which will help us in our study of ephesians 6. Paul closes the letter with a prayer and benediction for the saints. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the.
Finally, my brethren this is the conclusion of the apostles exhortations, in which he addresses the saints as his brethren. Notice the number of times in these few verses that we are exhorted to stand. The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience. In the cosmology of ephesians, this world refers to the present age in enmity with god cf. Ephesians chapter 6 is one of the most thorough treatments of the spiritual war in the new testament, it is but one of many texts which sheds light on this subject. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the. Date the letter states several times that it was written while paul was in prison 3. Now viewing scripture range from the book of ephesians chapter 6. Apr 16, 2015 ephesians 6 armor of god 10 finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power.
The roman army was at its peak of efficiency during the early christian era. Servants should show all obedience and fidelity to their masters, ephesians 6. Put on the full armor of god, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. All should be strong in the lord, and be armed with his armor, because of. Evil powers are not described in ephesians 6 using a form of dunamai.
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