Devine Scripture

Ephesians 6:11

What does Ephesians 6:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 6:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 6:11 means

Paul commands believers to put on the whole armor of God so they can stand against the devil’s schemes. The devil operates through cunning strategies, not always open assault. Therefore partial preparation will not do; the whole armor is needed. The goal is to “stand,” to hold firm under pressure rather than be swept away. The armor is God’s—his provision, not our invention. Receiving it requires active faith and daily readiness. This verse reassures us that God has not left us exposed; he equips us comprehensively. The Christian life is a battle, but not a helpless one. In Christ, we have what we need to resist deception and remain steadfast.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

put on the whole armour of God, for your being able to stand against the wiles of the devil,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Put on the panoply ofGod, that ye may be able to stand against the artifices of the devil:

Context

Following the call to be strong in the Lord (v. 10), verse 11 introduces the practical means: God’s armor. The warning about the devil’s schemes sets up verse 12’s explanation that the conflict is spiritual, not merely human. Understanding the enemy’s nature justifies the kind of equipment Paul will describe in verses 13–17, and it shifts readers from human quarrels to vigilance against unseen forces.

v.10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

v.11This passage

v.12For 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,

  • Revelation 20:2

    And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

  • Colossians 3:10

    and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

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