The spiritual warfare themes found throughout Pauline literature can seem overwhelming. Satan’s attacks against the church that threatens his kingdom are
numerous, deceptively crafty, and seemingly relentless. At such a point, the church must remember the promise of God: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”
(Rom 16:20). As Paul concluded his letter to the Romans he reminded them, and thus contemporary believers as well, “no matter how fierce Satan’s attacks may be, victory is assured. The battle is ultimately between God and Satan, and God will defeat his
enemy.”53 This focus upon God as victor kept Paul motivated as he waged war with this formidable enemy.
Satan’s ultimate defeat has been announced since the earliest days of human history. Moo, for example, believes that in Romans 16:20 Paul alluded “to the famous protoevangelium of Genesis 3:15: ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
52Arnold, Powers of Darkness, 133.
53Page, Powers of Evil, 198.
heel.’” While the decisive victory of this epic battle occurred at Calvary, a war is still being waged. Those in the church are not only co-heirs (Rom 8:17), but they also have the opportunity to be co-conquerors.55
What is even more encouraging is “the emphasis in the text on Satan’s being crushed under the feet of the Roman believers. It is most natural to understand this as an expression of confidence that Christians can expect to experience victories over Satan in the circumstances of their daily lives.”56 Victory, therefore, is not to be found only in some past event or distant future. Indeed, the church can experience victory here and now if they remain focused on God and follow Paul’s prescription for defeating the enemy.
Put on God’s Armor
As was the case with contextual factors and institutional factors, Paul also exhibited an in-depth understanding of spiritual factors. This point is not only evident in the insights he offered about why and how the enemy attacks, but it is also evident in his explanation of how the church is to stand against those attacks. In order to understand Paul’s armor analogy, it is important to appreciate his expertise on the subject at hand.
54Douglas Moo, Romans, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 512, italics in original. For an explanation of the term “protoevangelium” see Kenneth Matthews, Genesis 1:1-11:26, The New American Commentary, vol. 1A (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996), 247. There, Matthews explains that “Christian tradition has referred to 3:15 as the protoevangelium since it has been taken as the prototype for the Christian gospel.”
55William Hendriksen, Romans, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 512.
56Ibid.
church health by writing,
In Ephesians 6 we’re not reading the advice of some boot-camp private. We’re not taking counsel from some green recruit. Instead, we’re gleaning wisdom from one of the most decorated saints in history. Paul was a seasoned veteran in spiritual warfare. When he spoke of taking up the armor, perhaps no other person except Christ had more insight into this matter. We would do well to pay special attention to every word from the most extensive passage Paul ever wrote on the subject.57
In Ephesians 6:10, Paul admonished the church to remain focused on God in the midst of the battle by being “strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” He did acknowledge, however, that such a challenge would not be easy, “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 spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”
(6:12). He informed them that they had been equipped for this spiritual struggle and must put on the full armor of God so they could stand against the attacks of their enemy (6:11, 13). In his armor, the believers could be victorious.
Scholars have referred to concluding remarks in a letter like Ephesians 6:10 and following as a peroratio. Peroratio is “the final section of a speech that sought to recapitulate and to arouse to action.”58 As any persuasive communicator would do, Paul closed his letter with a final clinching argument that would motivate his readers to take action. Paul’s conclusion in 6:10-24, then, was not simply a summary of the contents of his letter, but was instead a call to appropriate action in response to everything which
57Franklin and Lawless, Spiritual Warfare, 116.
58Snodgrass, Ephesians, 335.
pieces of armor which would keep them strong and healthy in the day of evil.
Understanding the entire body of armor is required for believers to adequately protect themselves from the enemy’s attack. Likewise, believers must wear the full armor of God (Eph 6:11). Just as a soldier would be vulnerable without an entire suit of armor, so believers become vulnerable when only certain pieces of the armor are worn.
Paul’s words paint the picture of “a complete outfit (panoplia; NIV, ‘full armor,’ v. 13).
The soldier must be protected from head to foot and the panoplia is made up of all the various hoopla or pieces of armor, both defensive and offensive.”59
The Belt of Truth. The first piece of armor God gives to the church is the belt
of truth (6:14). Truth is both a critical foundation and a critical component of the Christian life. For example,
Paul saw the gospel as ‘truth’ (Eph 1:13) and as the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). . . . Believers need to be convinced and assured of the gospel’s truth and what it affirms about them as God’s children. By implication, believers need to conduct their lives in a manner consistent with the truth of the gospel. Lying and deceit can have no place in a believer’s life; they are an affront to the God of truth.
Consequently, in Ephesians, Paul told each Christian that he or she ‘must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor’ (Eph 4:25; see also 5:9).60
In his attack against the church, Satan targets the truth. As Christians, “we succumb to Satan’s temptations when we speak or live anything less than the truth. If we don’t know Jesus in a personal way, we can’t wear the belt of truth. If we don’t
59Wood, Ephesians, 86.
60Arnold, Power of Darkness, 155.
the belt is not on us.”
Satan, however, does not limit his attack on truth to the individual level. At the corporate level, Satan seeks to attack the church by distorting the truth. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul warned of a time to come when “they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4:3-4). It is significant that Paul spoke these words concerning believers. In the previous chapter (3:6-9, 13), “Paul had described the actions of false teachers. Now he warned that even professing believers would feel the influence of this wanderlust for unfamiliar ideas and the unbeaten moral path.”62
The church individually and those who proclaim truth to the church
corporately, therefore, must put on the belt of truth if they are to withstand the attack of the enemy. When truth is no longer the message of our lives and of our churches, the church is weakened and no longer remains healthy.
Breastplate of Righteousness. The second piece of armor God gives to the
church is the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is a critical component of church health on many levels. In one sense, Christians are protected from accusations of the enemy because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to them (Rom 5:17-19).
With humanity’s sinful nature and sinful actions in mind, Paul declared, “there is no one
61Franklin and Lawless, Spiritual Warfare, 110.
62Lea, 2 Timothy, 244.
news that ‘this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe’ (Rom 3:22). This righteousness means that those who believe in Jesus have been acquitted of all guilt before God. They are completely forgiven and reconciled to him as friends, better yet, as sons and daughters.”63 For this reason, Paul could say to the church, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
Satan, though, attacks the church by leading “Christians to believe otherwise.
The powers strive to convince people that God could not possibly forgive them for some of the horrible things they have done in the past.”64 As Satan seeks to accuse and
condemn God’s people, they can evade condemnation because they stand in God’s righteousness.
The imputation of Christ’s righteousness, however, does not give the church a license to sin. Instead, believers must make a daily decision to put on the breastplate of righteousness (6:14). Two chapters before instructing the Ephesian believers to put on the breastplate of righteousness, Paul had provided practical instruction to help those in the church live in holiness and righteousness. Specifically he instructed them to “lay aside the old self” (4:22) and “put on the new self” (4:24). Hendriksen has called this section of Paul’s letter (4:22-24),
a summary formulation of a tremendously tall order. In a sense, they had already put off the old man and put on the new man, namely, when they had given their hearts to Christ, and had professed him openly at the time of their baptism. But basic conversion must be followed by daily conversion. Even though in principle the believer has become a new creature (or ‘creation’), he remains a sinner until he
63Arnold, Powers of Darkness, 155.
64Ibid.
amounts, in fact, to a crucifixion (Rom. 6:6). This is true all the more because it is always promising so much. It is being ‘continually corrupted’ through lusts’
illusions, those deceptive evil desires with their mighty promises and minimal performances.65
Paul wanted believers to protect themselves and the church from the corrupting influences of sin. Achieving this desired result, however, requires believers to make daily decisions that result in righteous living. That is precisely what it means to wear the breastplate of righteousness.
Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace. Third, Paul instructed the Ephesians to
“shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (6:15). It should be understood that “some scholars debate the meaning of this piece of armor, but the emphasis on standing firm in the peace of God remains clear. When we face spiritual battles, standing firm requires the right footwear.”66 Lawless has observed that, “Some scholars have understood that the footwear imagery of this piece of the armor reflects the armament of a Roman soldier, who often wore boots equipped with long nails for solid footing. The image shows that we should anchor down against the Enemy’s attacks.”67 Believers may find themselves in the midst of an intense struggle with the enemy as he attacks with temptation. Those who stand firm in resistance, however, can experience a sense of peace, in the midst of conflict, which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7).
65Hendriksen, Ephesians, 213-14, italics in original.
66Franklin and Lawless, Spiritual Warfare, 112.
67Lawless, Putting on the Armor (Nashville: Lifeway, 2006), 48.
standing firm in the battle—a defensive posture—but it also reveals the offensive nature of the church’s battle with the enemy. The language Paul uses in 6:15 echoes that of Isaiah 52:7, which reads, “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Lawless believes, “The connection between these verses implies that having our feet sandaled isn’t only defensive but also offensive: sharing the gospel. . . . When we are always prepared to tell somebody about Jesus, we stand against the Enemy.”68
Churches who long to be healthy must be prepared for the battle by fitting their feet with the gospel of peace. In doing so, they will stand firm against the enemy and take the good news of Jesus to those who need it—exhibiting genuine signs of a healthy church.
Shield of Faith. The fourth piece of armor God gives to the church is the
shield of faith. Snodgrass believes the phrases before and after the introduction of this piece of armor reveal the significance of faith in the Christian life.69 The introductory phrase of 6:16, “in addition to all,” reveals the necessity of this piece of armor. Just as the introductory phrase reveals the necessity of faith, the concluding expression explains its function. Faith is able to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (6:16).
Hendriksen makes an important point about the effect of faith on these flaming arrows
68Ibid., 49.
69Snodgrass, Ephesians, 343.
when he writes,
In the devil’s quiver there are all kinds of fiery bolts. Paul mentions
“tribulation, anguish, persecution, famine,” etc. Some of these missiles enkindle doubt, others lust, greed, vanity, envy, etc. Only by looking away from self to God Triune, placing one’s trust in him for life, death, and eternity, relying on his word of revelation and promise, is it possible to repel this shower of flaming arrows.70
The individual believer and the church as a whole, then, must understand that faith is not merely salvific. Instead, it is a daily discipline that enables believers to extinguish attacks from the enemy (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 11:1-40). The church which longs to achieve greater health will not only understand the necessity of faith in daily living, but will exercise their faith in God, even when the battle is at its fiercest.
Those working in or with unhealthy churches must be especially careful not to neglect this piece of armor. When a church is unhealthy, it is easy to become
discouraged and lose faith. Churches in such a predicament must have faith that God can restore them to health, even if it seems like it will take a miracle. As both the unhealthy church and the consultant press forward in faith, the likelihood of achieving greater health will increase.
Helmet of Salvation. The fifth piece of armor God gives to the church is the
helmet of salvation. In addition to Ephesians 6:17, Paul also spoke of the helmet of salvation in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, this time describing the helmet as “the hope of salvation.” Salvation produces immense hope in the life of the believer. Paul used the term hope to communicate the idea of “confident expectation that God will accomplish
70Hendriksen, Ephesians, 278.
surprised that the helmet of salvation protects the mind.” In his letter to the Romans, Paul instructed the church to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (12:2). As those in the church renew their minds, their confidence of salvation both in the immediate battle and in the future will grow.
This piece of the armor is primarily a defensive mechanism, designed to protect the believer from seeds of doubt the enemy may plant regarding the promises of God. Hendriksen explains how critical this piece of the armor is by creating a battle-like scenario:
Were it not for the fact that in the midst of hardship and persecution the assurance of salvation both present and future dwells in his heart he might easily give up the fight. It is exactly this treasure that fortifies him with strength to continue the fight, for as to himself he knows that what God has begun in him will be carried on to completion (Psalm 138:8; Phil 1:6).72
As believers take and put on the helmet of salvation, hope for deliverance is increased and strength to continue in the battle is acquired. When believers are
encouraged to persist in the midst of intense conflict with the enemy, the health of the church is improved.
Sword of the Spirit. The final piece of armor God gives to the church is the
sword of the Spirit. Paul introduced this piece of armor in 6:17 and in the same verse clarified that this piece is “the word of God.” Arnold has pointed out that,
Just as Jesus used Scripture to resist Satan’s temptations while he was in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11), Paul called on believers to use God’s Word to resist the devil in their own situations. This is not to be understood as a semimagical use of
71Franklin and Lawless, Spiritual Warfare, 120-21.
72Hendriksen, Ephesians, 278, italics in original.
for any given situation. When Jesus was tempted, the devil applied Scripture inappropriately and out of context; Jesus responded to the devil by applying Scripture appropriately and according to its proper intent in conveying the mind of God on specific matters. The thorough, systematic study of Scripture on a regular basis is vital for all believers. It is an integral part of engaging in effective spiritual warfare.73
Additionally, the sword of the Spirit teaches important truths about the
spiritual struggle in which believers find themselves. First, the Word teaches that God is sovereign over the enemy (Job 1:6-12; Zech 3:1-5; Luke 22:31). Second, the Word teaches that God will eventually bind the enemy and defeat him permanently (Rev 20:1- 3, 7-10).74 These biblical truths are designed to protect the believer from fear. God is in control of this battle and will ultimately emerge as victor.
In addition to being a defensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit is also an offensive weapon. Snodgrass has been careful to show that, “‘Word of God’ does not refer to the Bible but to the gospel message. The Greek word used here (rhema) usually refers to a teaching or prophetic utterance or, more specifically, to the gospel.”75 As the church engages in the task of evangelism, they offensively enter Satan’s domain and proclaim forgiveness and freedom to those in darkness (Col 1:13).76 The message of salvation that the church proclaims is a message rooted in Scripture—for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).
73Arnold, Powers of Darkness, 156.
74Lawless, Putting on the Armor, 108-09.
75Snodgrass, Ephesians, 344.
76Franklin and Lawless, Spiritual Warfare, 122.
doing so, they will not only protect themselves from sin and fear, but will also be emboldened to enter the fortified kingdom of Satan to proclaim the message of Christ’s deliverance to those in bondage.
Make Prayer a Priority
After listing the six pieces of armor, Paul immediately turned his attention to the priority of prayer. Spiritual factors that affect the health of the church involve the supernatural, both good and evil. When each piece of God’s armor is in place, the church has prepared itself for the battle, but one task remains. The church must beseech
assistance from their supernatural advocate in order to defeat their supernatural adversary. This fact is what led Paul to conclude his peroratio by writing,
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak (6:18-20).
The fact that Paul places an emphasis on the priority of prayer after the church has been instructed to put on the full armor of God is significant. The order of his instructions suggests Paul believed that “those who are wearing the full armor of God make the best prayer warriors. . . . As a prisoner for his faith, Paul wasn’t interested in the number of people praying for him, but he was in the faith of those people. He needed prayer partners who moved heaven and threatened hell.”77
77Lawless, Putting on the Armor, 134.