St. Paul wrote his letter to the church at Ephesus without any particular error to refute, as he did is most of his other letters. He wrote it from Prison in order to send the Ephesians a word of encouragement, a very potent reminder of our being saved by Grace alone, and a deeper understanding of our strength in Christ.
It is this last part, our strenght in Christ that I wish to look at today. This is how Paul chose to close his letter, with a picture of Christ’s strength as our armor. We are to take up the “whole armor of God” in order that we will be able to stand firm in the day of Evil. We are told to gird our waists with truth, to wear the breastplate of righteousness, and shod our feet with the Gospel of peace. Finally, we are told to carry the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the spirit.
All of this sounds very good, however the instructions to do so seem to be kind of vague. These instructions are actually given to us in verse 10.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [Eph 6:10 NKJV]
Of course, this is rather vague as well, how does a sinful human ”be strong in the Lord”. It would be more clear if we look at the original language. The word translated here as “be strong” is “ενδυναμουσθε” (transliterated as endunamoō). Although this word can be translated as it is, a better translation is “to receive strength” or “to be strengthened” (see footnote). This gives us a better understanding. Instead of placing on us the responsibility to remain strong, we are told instead to be strengthened by the Lord. Being strengthened by the Lord is much simpler than being strong. We all know how to be strengthened by the Lord, we are strengthened through the Means of Grace, the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Whenever we hear the Word, we are being strengthened and putting on the whole armor of God. When we were baptized, and as our sinful nature is drowned daily, we are being strengthened and putting on the whole armor of God. When we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are being strengthened and putting on the whole armor of God.
Now that we know how to put on the armor of God, we must too understand what it means to put this armor on. In the 59th chapter of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of Christ himself wearing “righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation on his head.” (Isa 59:17) From this we see that this armor of God is not simply how we are protected from evil, but is in fact another way of saying that when we were baptized into Christ, we were clothed with Christ. (Gal 3:27). Putting on the armor of God is the same as being clothed with Christ. It is not something that we do after being saved, it is part of being saved. Not only are we clothed with Christ’s purity, but we are surrounded and protected by his strength as well. When we become adopted sons of God we are clothed with the Chist’s righteousness and protected by Christ’s Strength.
SOLI DEO GLORIA
footnote:There are some translations which do translate Ephesians 6:10 more appropriately. I probably prefer the Holman Christian Standard Bible’s translation over the others.
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.[Eph 6:10 HCSB]
Although I am not a big fan of it, the Amplified Bible also has a decent translation of the passage.
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].[Eph 6:10 AB]
Finally, the Contemporary English Version has a good translation of the passage.
Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.[Eph 6:10 CEV]
