Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 325

"Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Text: Ephesians 6:11

PUT ON

In line with the spirit of writing about spiritual warfare, Paul wrote, using the imperative mode to urge all his readers to put on (“endunasthe”) the armour of God. How may we comprehend this imperatival admonition?

1. Grammatical implications

a) This is a direct command.
b) A good soldier would know how to respond to a command given.
i) He would jump to fulfill this command.
ii) He would seek to obey in full any command.

2. Theological implications

a) Each one must decide how he would obey this command.
b) Each one must seek to comprehend as fully as possible the idea of putting on the armour of God.

3. Lexical implications

a) The phrase “put on” (“endunasthe”)

This comes from a word that describes a person putting on garments.

b) The idea extended

The Christian solider is to put on the whole armour of God as he would put on his daily clothes.

THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

The phrase “whole armour” translates the word “panoplian” (English- “panoply”). The implications are obvious:-

1. The entire suit of armour must be put on.

2. This suit is given by the Lord to every soldier to protect him in battle.

3. The soldier must become familiar with each piece of equipment given.

4. He will have to undergo training if he is to use the panoply effectively.