Ephesians 6: The Whole Armor of God
Paul addresses households serving as to the Lord, then calls every believer to be strong in the Lord and stand firm in the whole armor of God.
Ephesians 6 (WEB)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men;
8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;
16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:
19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;
22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
Ephesians 6 (KJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.
Ephesians 6 (ASV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),
3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men:
8 knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
19 and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ witha loveincorruptible.
Summary
Paul completes his picture of the Spirit-filled life by addressing the household. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, honoring father and mother, the first commandment with a promise. Fathers are not to provoke their children but to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Servants are to obey their earthly masters sincerely, as serving Christ, knowing the Lord will reward whatever good they do; and masters are to treat their servants the same way, giving up threats, since both share one impartial Master in heaven. Then Paul brings the letter to its climax with a call to spiritual warfare. Believers are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might, and to put on the whole armor of God, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. He details the armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. He urges them to pray at all times in the Spirit, staying alert and interceding for all the saints, and for Paul himself, that he would boldly proclaim the gospel for which he is an ambassador in chains. The letter ends with Tychicus's mission to encourage them and a closing blessing of peace, love, faith, and grace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Figures
- Paul — The ambassador in chains who instructs Christian households, summons believers to spiritual warfare, and asks for prayer to proclaim the gospel boldly.
- The Lord Jesus — The one Master of servant and master alike, the strength in whom believers must stand, and the Lord whose word is the sword of the Spirit.
- Households of faith — Children, parents, servants, and masters called to live out their relationships as service rendered to the Lord himself.
- The spiritual powers — The rulers, authorities, and forces of wickedness in the heavenly places against whom believers wrestle and must stand firm in God's armor.
Key Verse
Ephesians 6:11 (WEB)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Lessons Learned
- The gospel reshapes the ordinary relationships of home and work into service rendered to the Lord.
- Our true struggle is spiritual, against unseen powers, not merely against the people around us.
- We are called to stand firm, and our strength is the Lord's might, not our own resolve.
- God supplies a full set of armor—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and his word—for the battle.
- Prayer in the Spirit for all the saints is essential equipment for standing firm.
- Daily relationships are rendered to the Lord. Servants are to obey “as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6, WEB). Ordinary duties become worship when done for him.
- Strength comes from the Lord. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10, WEB). We do not generate our own power but draw on his.
- The real enemy is unseen. “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities… and the spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12, WEB). Naming the true foe changes how we fight.
- God provides the whole armor. We are to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, WEB). Every defense and the one weapon are God's gift.
- Prayer sustains the standing. We fight “with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18, WEB). The armor is worn in an atmosphere of constant prayer.
- How does Paul's instruction to children, parents, servants, and masters (6:1-9) flow from being filled with the Spirit?
- Paul says our struggle is “not against flesh and blood” (6:12). How does recognizing the spiritual nature of the battle change the way you respond to conflict and temptation?
- Walk through the pieces of armor in verses 14-17. Which do you most rely on, and which do you most neglect?
- Why does Paul end the armor passage with a call to constant prayer “for all the saints” (6:18)?
- Where in your life do you most need to simply “stand” firm right now, and how might God's armor help you do it?
- The household instructions apply mutual submission and the Spirit-filled life to home and work (6:1-9). Children, parents, servants, and masters all serve “as to the Lord,” which both dignifies ordinary duties and restrains the abuse of authority. Help the group see that holiness shows up first in everyday relationships.
- Seeing the battle as spiritual keeps us from treating people as the enemy and points us to God's resources rather than mere willpower (6:12). This is partly personal application; invite members to reconsider a current conflict in light of the unseen forces and the call to stand, not to strike.
- Each piece answers a real need: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God (6:14-17). This is partly personal application; encourage members to identify a strength and a weak point, remembering the armor is God's provision, taken up by faith.
- Prayer is the air in which the whole armor is worn, keeping us dependent and alert and binding us to one another (6:18). Standing firm is not a solo effort; we intercede for all the saints. Encourage the group to make praying for one another a regular part of their battle.
- This is a personal-application question and a fitting close to the letter. The repeated command is to “stand” (6:11, 13-14). As leader, invite members to name where they feel under pressure and to take up, by faith, the strength and armor God supplies, resting in the secure place Ephesians has shown us in Christ.