Study
7 From the Book of Ephesians is: Ephesians 6:10-24
With
this study, we end the book of Ephesians and tomorrow, we will delve
into the book of Job
The
same apostle and Epistle that show us how heavenly, complete and free
is redemption in Christ, now indicate how certain, fierce and
protracted is the conflict to be faced by those who belong to Christ.
- Why is conflict inevitable for all who belong to Christ? What is its character? What dangers which beset us are here particularly in mind? Cf. 2Cor. 10:3-5; 11:3. By what achievement is victory here repeatedly described? How alone may it be achieved?
- Some interpreters take 'truth' to mean inward sincerity and 'righteousness' to mean integrity and fidelity. Others think 'truth' here means the truth of the gospel, as in 4:21, and take ' righteousness' to mean 'the righteousness of God' given to us in Christ (see Rom 3: 22). Can you find a decisive answer? How alone can we make our standing sure before God, men and the devil? Cf. Rom. 5:1, 2; 8:33, 34; Pss. 15; 24:3-6; 51:6.
- Verses 18-20. Consider what is there implied about Christian praying—concerning its place, its character, its demands, its scope, and its particular interests and requests. Measure your praying by these standards.
Notes
- Verse 10. 'Be strong': literally 'be strengthened'. 'A person cannot strengthen himself; he must be empowered'. Our strength is to be continually maintained (present tense) by the outworked vigour of God's inherent power.
- Verses 11, 13. 'The whole armour of God': the complete outfit is thought of as one whole. What is most emphasized is its divine source.
- Verse 12. The word for 'contending', literally 'to wrestle' implies personal hand-to-hand conflict.
- Verse 15. For such fighting one needs to have a sure foothold.
- Verse 16. 'Flaming darts': devil inspired thoughts or desires, evil in their nature and tending to inflame the passions.
