“FINALLY, BE STRONG IN THE LORD”

Ephesians 6:10-24 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For our wrestling[51] is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.

How Can We Stand Firm Against the Devil With the Whole Armor of God?

¹³Therefore, take up the whole armor[52] of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand firm, therefore, with your loins girded[53] about with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and with your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶in all things, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Through all prayer and petition praying at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, keep awake with all perseverance and making supplication for all the holy ones. ¹⁹Pray also for me, that the words may be given to me when I open my mouth, so that I may be able to speak boldly in making known the mystery[54] of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains;[55] that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Whole Armor of God

Final Greetings

²¹But that you also may also know about my affairs, as to how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. ²²whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know the things about us, and he may encourage your hearts.

²³Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace be with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptness.

Many would be strong, but fail because they forget that they can be effectively so only “in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” Paul had a very vivid conception of the powerful forces that are arrayed against the Church. He is not dealing here especially with our personal temptations, but with those hosts of wicked spirits that lie behind the evil of the world. It is probable that the vast systems which oppose the gospel-the philosophies, temples, and priests of false religions; the trade in strong drink, impurity, and like evils; and such iniquitous institutions as the system of indentured slavery-are directly promoted and furthered by the agency of evil spirits in arms against God.

We must be pure and holy, if we are to prevail against evil; and especially we must give ourselves to prayer. To prevail in this warfare, we must diligently employ the weapon of all prayer. Tychicus carried this letter. He was faithful to the end, Act 20:4; 2 Tim. 4:12. The Epistle closes, as it began, with uncorrupted, that is, pure and eternal, love. Alford says, “This is the only truth worthy to be the crown and climax of this glorious Epistle.”