Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16 If you were a soldier in the first century, you would be subject to flaming arrows raining down from above. Like the initial bombardment in modern warfare, arrows were used …
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 The ESV translates this: “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Though some have taken this to mean that we are to be prepared to share the gospel at all times, I don’t …
And having on the breastplate of righteousness. Eph. 6:14 The breastplate was very important for the soldier. The breastplate consisted of metal armor that covered everything from the neck to the thighs, both front and back. If you didn’t wear this into battle, you were severely exposed to the …
Today, let us consider the first part of Ephesians 6:14: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,” or, as the ESV puts it, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.” This is one of the first things a Roman soldier would have done; it was done before any other piece …
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph. 6:12 Who or what is the Christian fighting? In verse 11, Paul warns us against the “wiles [stratagems] of the …
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you …
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10 What is the function of this appeal in this epistle? It clearly functions as a closing appeal. We see this in the opening word, “Finally, my brethren . . .” (10). But why put it here? There are exhortations all …
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21 There are many ways by which we are susceptible to the spirit of worldliness, but in our day the attempt to retain Christian orthodoxy while embracing the attitudes of secularism is perhaps the most common way we can be trapped in the …
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Romans 9:16 Why is the doctrine of election so important? Why does Paul spend 24 verses in Romans 9 explaining and defending the fact that God’s will, not ours, is decisive in salvation? What possible …
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6 (ESV) "He will be the stability of your times." The "he" is …