Ephesians 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 11:5] put on righteousness for a breastplate,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 59:17] 15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.[Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7] 16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance;[Ephesians 6:17 Isaiah 59:17] along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; 18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.
19 And pray for me, too, that whenever I open my mouth, the words will be given to me to be bold in making known the secret of the Good News, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak boldly, the way I should.[Complete Jewish Bible]
As a participant in the Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions in 2009, I was struck by the common bond that the other participants shared. Peace and love were key ingredients to uniting against oppressive forces in a pluralist society. In the letter to the Ephesians we get images of the kind of armor that we need to combat oppressive forces in our world—the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and boldness in the mystery of the gospel. Some think that the writer is likely a prisoner who is a follower of Paul who speaks against the evils that imprisoned him. Sometimes Christians are accused of using the Bible as a blunt weapon to beat our opinions into others. Yet here in Ephesians these war-like metaphors are actually wrapped and surrounded in themes of peace and love—the images become ways to encourage us to be bold in our faith and have confidence to speak Christ in the face of the rulers and authorities that oppress. When we do this, the Bible opens up for us as a tool for peace.
Author of Creation, unite us into peace and provide us the tools to bring about change in a world filled with violence, hate and fear. Lead us to boldness in proclaiming your message to the world. Amen.
John Klawiter
Associate Pastor, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Roseville, Minn.
Master of Divinity , 2012
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.[New Revised Standard Version]
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