***Note: I read from the New International Version (NIV). I typically study verse by verse, using historical context and defining each word based on the Hebrew/Greek and the modern interpretation of the word.
The book of Ephesians was written in Koine Greek because that was the language much of the Middle East and Mediterranean regions were speaking at the time. Some words may be defined in the Greek to give a clearer understanding of the context and meaning of the verse.***
Key:
- Highlighted and bolded words are vocabulary words
- Bolded only words are words to pay attention to
- Underlined phrases are phrases to pay special attention to
- Phrases in parentheses are additional thoughts.
(v. 10) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.“
- Finally symbolizes Paul wrapping up his letter to the people in Ephesus
- The word be is a verb, an action word, declarative/command word
- to be is to exist within
- the phrase “be in” is to be surrounded or enclosed by something
- to be located inside of something
- the word strong is the opposite of the word ‘weak’
- “be strong in the Lord” means to gather strength from Him
- strong: have the ability to withstand great force or pressure; not easily affected by disease or hardship; not easily disturbed, upset, or affected; showing determination, self control, and good judgement; firmly held or established; not soft or muted (to be bold in our faith); possessing skills and qualities that create a likelihood of success; having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks (purpose or bearing our cross); likely to succeed because of sound reasoning or convincing evidence (God says His words will never pass away, Jesus is also says He is the Truth, not easily swayed or deceived by the world or the devil’s lies)
- there are many ways to derive strength from God, further symbolizing that everything comes from God and in everything, we can find God
- strong: have the ability to withstand great force or pressure; not easily affected by disease or hardship; not easily disturbed, upset, or affected; showing determination, self control, and good judgement; firmly held or established; not soft or muted (to be bold in our faith); possessing skills and qualities that create a likelihood of success; having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks (purpose or bearing our cross); likely to succeed because of sound reasoning or convincing evidence (God says His words will never pass away, Jesus is also says He is the Truth, not easily swayed or deceived by the world or the devil’s lies)
- “be strong in the Lord” means to gather strength from Him
- mighty: (of an action) performed with great strength; large; fearsome (fear of God)
- another name for God is ‘El-Shaddai’ which translates to ‘God Almighty’
- power: synonym for strength; ability to do something in a particular way; authority; military strength
(v. 11) “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
- put on meaning to clothe or cover
- clothing shields us from the elements
- full meaning all, not some or partial
- necessary to have all of the pieces of armor
- the devil prowls around like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) looking for those he can devour
- important to fully suit up
- of: (preposition) expressing the relationship between a part and a whole; indicating an association between two entities, typically one of belonging
- “of God” signifies our connection to Him
- part (us); whole (God); part (full armor); whole (God)
- can only receive armor through being connected to or in relationship with God
- stand against meaning to bold and courageous and being prepared to fight back
- the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)
- he also discourages, distracts, makes discontent, and brings discord
- the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)
(v. 12) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
- Paul leads into this statement after stating that we must take our stand against the enemy and put on the full armor of God
- v. 12 is essentially an explanation as to why we need the armor of God
- the word our is referring to all humans
- struggle: make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction; engage in conflict; have difficulty handling or coping with
- not against flesh and blood meaning that our conflict is not between each other; it’s the spirit within people and is a spiritual battle
- spirits of depression, anxiety, fear, demonic possession, and other dark and tormenting spirits
- the enemy uses people to accomplish his agenda
- flesh and blood is also referring to our outer covering
- we are a spirit, we have a soul, we live in a body
- spirits of depression, anxiety, fear, demonic possession, and other dark and tormenting spirits
- but (conjunction): combines two complete or incomplete sentences
- used to introduce a phrase/clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned
- used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated
- Paul uses the word but to indicate that the phrase that follows (against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms) is the truth and can’t be anything but the truth
- truth: that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality
- fact: a thing that is known or proved to be true; evidence
- evidence is seen throughout Jesus’ ministry where people were possessed and Jesus knew that it was because our struggle isn’t against flesh but against spirit
- fact: a thing that is known or proved to be true; evidence
- truth: that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality
- Paul uses the word but to indicate that the phrase that follows (against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms) is the truth and can’t be anything but the truth
- Paul speaks in present tense when referring to our struggle so as to make it clear that it’s an ongoing battle
- against: in opposition to; anticipation of and preparation for (a problem or difficulty)
- Jesus tells us to expect trouble but to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)
- His victory was over the flesh and over the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world
- further confirms why we need Him to help us in this battle
- His victory was over the flesh and over the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world
- Jesus tells us to expect trouble but to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)
- rulers referring to rulers in the demonic realm
- there are different ranks of rulers
- authorities and powers of this dark world referring to wicked spirits that are unseen because they are in a different realm
- spiritual forces of evil referring to what is unseen and is in Spirit
- heavenly realms translated to Greek word “epouranios” meaning the sphere of spiritual activities
- spiritual activities can be angelic or demonic
- as humans, we cannot see, hear, or touch the spiritual world
- we gain insight into this unseen world by studying the word of God and what He tells us about it
- all in all, we need spiritual armor to fight spiritual battles which is why we need God!
(v. 13) “Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand.”
- armor: protection; a protective suit used to shield oneself from an opponent
- when meaning the day of evil will come and it is imperative to be prepared
- the day of evil referring to when we are under spiritual attack, which are guaranteed
- “Everything visible and physical is preceded by that which is invisible and spiritual” -Tony Evans (pastor and author)
- stand your ground is the word “withstand” in the New King James Version (NKJV) and the King James Version (KJV)
- withstand: to remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist
- I picture a house in a strong storm with heavy rain and winds
- Jesus says that those who listen to His words are like a wise man who built his house on a rock (Matthew 7:24)
- I picture a house in a strong storm with heavy rain and winds
- we can only stand our ground by utilizing the weapons God gives us
- withstand: to remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist
Chronicles of a Believer 
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