The Power of the God Man | Spiritual Warfare Part II

#spiritualwarfare #armorofgod #bible

In this part of our study on spiritual warfare we are focusing on Ephesians 6:10.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.

With his command to Be strong, Paul is giving us the strategy to prosper spiritually in the midst of the battle against evil spiritual forces.

Be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might. Some translations say his mighty power. This is not your power. Paul is not telling believers to be strong in themselves. He is commanding the exact opposite. The strength for living the Christian life, the power to stand against the darkness, comes from an outside source, it is found in the Lord. Period.

Paul emphasizes that our strength is in the Lord. When Paul says be strengthened “in the Lord”, he is speaking of Christ, as Paul often calls Jesus Lord in his epistles. This isn’t just my opinion, the scholars say this. Andrew Lincoln: “the Lord is Christ.” Harold Hoehner:“the phrase in the Lord refers not to God but to Christ.” Clinton Arnold: “Here, as elsewhere in Ephesians where the phrase in the Lord occurs, it does refer to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is precisely through their relationship with the resurrected and ascended Christ that believers find empowerment…This power is only available through union with Christ and participation in his resurrection and exaltation. This power is not mediated through incantations, formulas, or shamanistic or magical rituals.”

John Ramirez: “To be armed, dangerous, and supernaturally effective in waging war against the forces of hell, just do what Paul said: "Be strong in the Lord" (Eph. 6:10). It's about being spiritually mature. That comes through total submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It requires obedience to Christ, an attitude of humility, and standing in righteousness. Instead of acting on your emotions or carnal mindsets, maintain holiness and right standing in Christ. Let them show up in your lifestyle. Being strong in the Lord means surrendering yourself completely to Christ. Then you will access all He has prepared for you in the fight.”

Select sources:

Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010

Aune, David E. “Archon.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Barth, Markus. Ephesians (AB). 2 vols. Garden City: Doubleday, 1974

Betz, Hans D. “Authorities.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Cohick, Lynn H. The Letter to the Ephesians (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2020

CSB Tony Evans Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers 2019

Breshears, Gerry. “Spiritual Warfare.” Biblical Training Academy. BiblicalTraining.org/learn/academy/th251-spiritual-warfare

Feldmeier, R,. “World Rulers.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002

Ramirez, John. Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Enemy. Chosen Books. 2017

Ramirez, John. Fire Prayers: Building Arsenals that Destroy Satanic Kingdoms. Charisma House. 2023.

TESTUDO. https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-army/military-formations-of-ancient-romans/testudo/amp/

Yoder Neufeld, Thomas R. Put on the Armour of God: The Divine Warrior from Isaiah to Ephesians. JSNTSup vol 140. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997