Remain empowered in the Lord also in the might of His strength.*
Having grown up, in maturity bearing fruit through abiding, now I am must remain empowered in the Lord. I did not grow up according to fleshly means but according to the Lord. How did I grow up? I was established, rooted in faith and love, growing up in truth in love, in knowledge of the Son. In the previous chapters we read some of things we are established in, those receiving from the rich of his grace and glory, blessings from the heavens like adoption, and redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And I received, was marked with the Holy Spirit, a pledge of my inheritance and testimony that I am of His own. I was established by grace through faith, prepared beforehand. I understand what it means to put off the old man and put on the new and what it means to participate in his death so to participate in his life. I know what it means to know Him, to grow up in knowledge of Him, to have fellowship in his sufferings, to be conformed to His death so also to be transformed into his life. I have known what it means to endure, so to become mature, bearing fruit. Now, finally, I remain empowered in the Lord.
put on the armor of God toward your power, toward the schemes of the devil.*
To remain, I continue to be empowered in the Lord. What does it mean to be empowered? the power comes in Christ and the power is toward the schemes or craftiness of the devil. Before I was being established, deeply rooted so to become mature in which I needed to endure the weeds the devil planted. The weeds are the deceit of the riches of this world, the cares and anxiety of this world, and persecution. I must not be rooted to the things of this world. "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."* Now, having been established, enduring to maturity overcoming the weeds, put on the armor of God, toward, against the schemes of the devil, so to stand.
because our struggle is not toward flesh and blood but toward principles, toward the authorities, toward the world rulers of this darkness, toward spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.*
The principles are the first in place rulers, they are of this world, the devil being principle ruler of this world. Why waste time fighting a war against the little guy when the lord lives lasciviously from a safe place, but go take the fight to the principle, the rulers, the lords, the spiritual forces of evil. We put on defensive armor to protect us from the flaming arrows of the enemy but we have offensive weapons too, a double-edged sword and we have access to our Lord through prayer and supplication, in whom the empowerment, might and strength comes to aid in the battle towards these rulers in the heavenly realm. The devil is the principle ruler, of the realm of the air, a spirit who is energizing the sons of disobedience.* The ruler of darkness wars against the carnal mind, the sinful flesh to bring us into captivity to sin in the flesh. There is a spiritual force at work that draws one into a snare then overpowers. We need power to stand against such power.
Through these, take up the armor of God, so that powerful to stand in the evil day also prevailing over all, standing.*
Th word for prevail κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai) means to earn or gain by labor; (absolute) to achieve one's object, to be successful; (with accusative of person) to make an end of, finish, to overpower, subdue, conquer, to prevail upon. Certainly this is accusative, toward principles, authorities, world rulers of this darkness, and spiritual forces of evil. Also this implies a working out of this, just like as a child there were things that were beneficial to my growth, now, there are things beneficial to me to stand, so that I am not overpowered by any of these things. Understanding his schemes helps in this, like the principle of sin being in our flesh and evil near.* Through these, pieces of armor empowered through Christ, we will prevail over forces of evil.
Stand therefore girding your loins in truth.*
First armor piece I put on is the truth, all around.* John writes the young person is strong and has overcome the evil one as the word of God abides in him. Imagine being persecuted, thrown in prison without access to the word of God, it would be a difficult thing, surely such would require maturity, that the word of God abides in you. Second put on the breastplate of righteousness. Elsewhere Paul writes put on the breastplate of faith and love.* How important is it that we are rooted in faith and love. Important is righteousness, that we are given the gift of righteousness but also grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. Think about it, a mature plant bears fruit and how can I stand if I my consciousness is defiled by sin? How can I stand if I have not put off the old uniform I once served? Thus we seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of God, which implies perfection, maturity, bearing fruit. To be in darkness is to be overpowered by it, and like having a basket put over a candle, choking out the light.
fit your feet in preparation, the gospel of peace.*
The word preparation is often translated as readiness, which we might think this verse as being ready to go evangelize but the word speaks of preparation with usage: foundation, firm footing; preparation, readiness. In context it is used in regards to being prepared to stand towards evil. The whole concept of standing is based upon one having been prepared beforehand. This is what it means to be His workmanship. If you are still a child, if you have not been established first, you will not stand. The house built upon sand will not stand toward a storm, but those who build their house upon the words of Jesus are like a man who built his house upon a rock, upon a firm foundation, he will stand. Without establishment no one can stand.
in all, taking up the shield of faith in whom powerful to put out the flaming arrows of evil.*
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, in whom I have power to quench the fiery darts. The victory Paul writes is through our Lord.* The victory is through our faith, John writes if we are born of God we will overcome or grow up to yield fruit. So the question becomes how do I overcome? "And all who are born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that overcomes the world, that our faith."* What counts is being a new creation and faith energized in love, and bearing fruit of righteousness. We bear fruit through abiding. Freedom comes through abiding in the truth. Jesus is the truth. We grow up truth in love, in knowledge of Jesus. The words of Jesus exists the perfect law that provides freedom. Faith comes through the word of God. Jesus is the word of God, author and perfecter of faith. The very thing we should do becomes the last thing, doing many works instead. Abiding is the most difficult because of the carnal mind apposed to truth and because we have an enemy. We overcome through faith and faith increases through abiding in the words of Jesus. Truth is all around me, I am an instrument of His righteousness, abiding in hope, faith, love that shields from attacks so to be victorious.
And take up the helmet of salvation...*
Paul writes the helmet is a hope of salvation.* We strive to be like Jesus, renewed in mind, transformed from glory to glory, Jesus being the hope of such glory. John writes those who have this hope in Him purify ourselves as He is pure.* If He is pure, righteous then those born of Him will bear fruit accordingly.* A fruit of maturity is wholeness, which includes a mind like Christ's, a well mind.* This is a mind that accepts God's will as pleasing thus one that is obedient through maturity. This is His workmanship, becoming like Him in character which is reflecting His divine nature, doing good works.
... and the sword of the Spirit, which exists the word of God.*
We see the sword, an offense weapon, having a double edge of the Spirit and truth. The words of Jesus are truth and Spirit. I am strong because the word of God abides in me. If I am struggling with sin, and all sin is unbelief, what do I do? I take up the sword. Not judge according to unbelief and falling back, but I am press towards evil, strengthened in faith through His words until I am fully convinced. When I feel like I am overcome by evil what do I do? I abide in the words of Jesus, then I will know the truth and be set free. When men do me wrong and I am persecuted for righteousness sake, what do I do? I get in the Word. Abiding in his words, this is what increases my faith in which is victory. This is the sword, the offense weapon to prevail over evil. We see another; prayer and supplication.
through all prayer and petition, towards prayer, in every fitting situation in the Spirit and to the extent of this be very alert in all perseverance and petition.*
Don't shout at the devil, and the spiritual forces of evil, but be empowered in the Lord, put on the armor. Take up the sword, and take the battle towards prayer and petition, these are your offensive weapons to fight forces of evil even if they come though flesh and blood. If my mind can't overcome what is happening and I am struggling to abide, what can I do? petition, pray and beg God to help. And pray for your brothers who are experiencing the same kinds of suffering through out the world, the one ruled by spiritual forces of evil. Be alert, the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may destroy. If we succumb to his schemes and walk in darkness we enter his realm, giving him power, so resist him, draw near to God, fellowship and walk in the light where darkness must flee. Remember, the promises and the hope we have in Jesus. This is not our home, we await a better one. Be empowered in the Lord, the might of his strength, put on the armor of God toward this power, toward the schemes of the devil, stand therefore stand.
put on the armor of God toward your power, toward the schemes of the devil.*
To remain, I continue to be empowered in the Lord. What does it mean to be empowered? the power comes in Christ and the power is toward the schemes or craftiness of the devil. Before I was being established, deeply rooted so to become mature in which I needed to endure the weeds the devil planted. The weeds are the deceit of the riches of this world, the cares and anxiety of this world, and persecution. I must not be rooted to the things of this world. "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."* Now, having been established, enduring to maturity overcoming the weeds, put on the armor of God, toward, against the schemes of the devil, so to stand.
because our struggle is not toward flesh and blood but toward principles, toward the authorities, toward the world rulers of this darkness, toward spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.*
The principles are the first in place rulers, they are of this world, the devil being principle ruler of this world. Why waste time fighting a war against the little guy when the lord lives lasciviously from a safe place, but go take the fight to the principle, the rulers, the lords, the spiritual forces of evil. We put on defensive armor to protect us from the flaming arrows of the enemy but we have offensive weapons too, a double-edged sword and we have access to our Lord through prayer and supplication, in whom the empowerment, might and strength comes to aid in the battle towards these rulers in the heavenly realm. The devil is the principle ruler, of the realm of the air, a spirit who is energizing the sons of disobedience.* The ruler of darkness wars against the carnal mind, the sinful flesh to bring us into captivity to sin in the flesh. There is a spiritual force at work that draws one into a snare then overpowers. We need power to stand against such power.
Through these, take up the armor of God, so that powerful to stand in the evil day also prevailing over all, standing.*
Th word for prevail κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai) means to earn or gain by labor; (absolute) to achieve one's object, to be successful; (with accusative of person) to make an end of, finish, to overpower, subdue, conquer, to prevail upon. Certainly this is accusative, toward principles, authorities, world rulers of this darkness, and spiritual forces of evil. Also this implies a working out of this, just like as a child there were things that were beneficial to my growth, now, there are things beneficial to me to stand, so that I am not overpowered by any of these things. Understanding his schemes helps in this, like the principle of sin being in our flesh and evil near.* Through these, pieces of armor empowered through Christ, we will prevail over forces of evil.
Stand therefore girding your loins in truth.*
First armor piece I put on is the truth, all around.* John writes the young person is strong and has overcome the evil one as the word of God abides in him. Imagine being persecuted, thrown in prison without access to the word of God, it would be a difficult thing, surely such would require maturity, that the word of God abides in you. Second put on the breastplate of righteousness. Elsewhere Paul writes put on the breastplate of faith and love.* How important is it that we are rooted in faith and love. Important is righteousness, that we are given the gift of righteousness but also grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. Think about it, a mature plant bears fruit and how can I stand if I my consciousness is defiled by sin? How can I stand if I have not put off the old uniform I once served? Thus we seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of God, which implies perfection, maturity, bearing fruit. To be in darkness is to be overpowered by it, and like having a basket put over a candle, choking out the light.
fit your feet in preparation, the gospel of peace.*
The word preparation is often translated as readiness, which we might think this verse as being ready to go evangelize but the word speaks of preparation with usage: foundation, firm footing; preparation, readiness. In context it is used in regards to being prepared to stand towards evil. The whole concept of standing is based upon one having been prepared beforehand. This is what it means to be His workmanship. If you are still a child, if you have not been established first, you will not stand. The house built upon sand will not stand toward a storm, but those who build their house upon the words of Jesus are like a man who built his house upon a rock, upon a firm foundation, he will stand. Without establishment no one can stand.
in all, taking up the shield of faith in whom powerful to put out the flaming arrows of evil.*
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, in whom I have power to quench the fiery darts. The victory Paul writes is through our Lord.* The victory is through our faith, John writes if we are born of God we will overcome or grow up to yield fruit. So the question becomes how do I overcome? "And all who are born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that overcomes the world, that our faith."* What counts is being a new creation and faith energized in love, and bearing fruit of righteousness. We bear fruit through abiding. Freedom comes through abiding in the truth. Jesus is the truth. We grow up truth in love, in knowledge of Jesus. The words of Jesus exists the perfect law that provides freedom. Faith comes through the word of God. Jesus is the word of God, author and perfecter of faith. The very thing we should do becomes the last thing, doing many works instead. Abiding is the most difficult because of the carnal mind apposed to truth and because we have an enemy. We overcome through faith and faith increases through abiding in the words of Jesus. Truth is all around me, I am an instrument of His righteousness, abiding in hope, faith, love that shields from attacks so to be victorious.
And take up the helmet of salvation...*
Paul writes the helmet is a hope of salvation.* We strive to be like Jesus, renewed in mind, transformed from glory to glory, Jesus being the hope of such glory. John writes those who have this hope in Him purify ourselves as He is pure.* If He is pure, righteous then those born of Him will bear fruit accordingly.* A fruit of maturity is wholeness, which includes a mind like Christ's, a well mind.* This is a mind that accepts God's will as pleasing thus one that is obedient through maturity. This is His workmanship, becoming like Him in character which is reflecting His divine nature, doing good works.
... and the sword of the Spirit, which exists the word of God.*
We see the sword, an offense weapon, having a double edge of the Spirit and truth. The words of Jesus are truth and Spirit. I am strong because the word of God abides in me. If I am struggling with sin, and all sin is unbelief, what do I do? I take up the sword. Not judge according to unbelief and falling back, but I am press towards evil, strengthened in faith through His words until I am fully convinced. When I feel like I am overcome by evil what do I do? I abide in the words of Jesus, then I will know the truth and be set free. When men do me wrong and I am persecuted for righteousness sake, what do I do? I get in the Word. Abiding in his words, this is what increases my faith in which is victory. This is the sword, the offense weapon to prevail over evil. We see another; prayer and supplication.
through all prayer and petition, towards prayer, in every fitting situation in the Spirit and to the extent of this be very alert in all perseverance and petition.*
Don't shout at the devil, and the spiritual forces of evil, but be empowered in the Lord, put on the armor. Take up the sword, and take the battle towards prayer and petition, these are your offensive weapons to fight forces of evil even if they come though flesh and blood. If my mind can't overcome what is happening and I am struggling to abide, what can I do? petition, pray and beg God to help. And pray for your brothers who are experiencing the same kinds of suffering through out the world, the one ruled by spiritual forces of evil. Be alert, the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may destroy. If we succumb to his schemes and walk in darkness we enter his realm, giving him power, so resist him, draw near to God, fellowship and walk in the light where darkness must flee. Remember, the promises and the hope we have in Jesus. This is not our home, we await a better one. Be empowered in the Lord, the might of his strength, put on the armor of God toward this power, toward the schemes of the devil, stand therefore stand.