Ephesians 6:10-18 — The Armor of God
Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God — the whole armor for the day of evil.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
Historical context
Ephesians moves from doctrine in chapters 1-3 to practice in 4-6, working outward from the new self to the household. Paul closes the household section (5:22–6:9) and then steps back to remind readers that their daily struggles — for unity, purity, honest work — are fought against an unseen backdrop. The Roman soldier guarding him as he writes (6:20) supplies the image.
Commentary
Verses 10-12 set the scene: 'be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.' Strength is borrowed, not generated. The fight is 'not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age.'
Verses 13-17 list six pieces of armor — five defensive, one offensive. The belt of truth holds the rest together. The breastplate of righteousness — both Christ's imputed and the believer's lived integrity — guards the heart. The sandals of the gospel of peace give footing. The shield of faith quenches 'all the fiery darts.' The helmet of salvation protects the mind. The sword of the Spirit is 'the word of God' — Greek rhēma, the spoken word — wielded as Jesus wielded scripture against the tempter.
Verse 18 is the climactic command often missed: 'with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance.' The armor is not worn in isolation; it is worn in prayer, and it is worn 'for all the saints.'