Ephesians 6:10-11; How to stand and what standing looks like.

Class Outline:

Tuesday March 29, 2022

 

We have studied “be strong” and “put on” and now we move to “stand firm” (the main idea).

 

EPH 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

 

After the commands to “be strong” and “put on,” Paul uses back-to-back infinites “be able” and “stand firm.” They convey what I think each of us would unconsciously conclude about his principle of truth, but seeing that principle right in the grammar that he chooses to purposefully to use in the inspired Scriptures supports it further and underlines it for us.

 

“in order that you may be able” - present infinitive (continuous).

“to stand firm” - aorist participle (undefined action).

 

The first infinitive “be able” is a present tense meaning continuous action. The second infinitive is an aorist tense meaning that the action is undefined in terms of time. But if we think about it (I highly recommend that we always think), continuous action is not so much defined by time as past, present, future since it contains all three. Since it means all time, it doesn’t specify any single time. This usage by the author solidifies the idea and leaves no doubt.

 

“in order that you may continually be able (pres. Infinitive) to stand (aor. Infinitive)…” Always able, but standing when necessary.

 

The preposition plus the infinitive should be “in order that” which isn’t that much different. The plural pronoun is used “you” meaning “you all” may be continually able. And the present infinitive is used by Paul to convey the idea of always being able or ready. Be always combat ready day by day. He then uses an aorist participle that is undefined action (not specific to time) “to stand.” The idea, that I think we subconsciously come to is to be always combat ready, but you’re not always in combat. In other words, sometimes we face the schemes of the devil and sometimes not. Sometimes we are tempted to sin and sometimes not. But we must always be prepared or able to stand firm, especially in times of relative peace. Simply put, it means to be alert, just like Peter wrote, for the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

 

Be combat ready every day. Remember, do not worry about tomorrow; today has enough concerns, meaning, today we are concerned about being able and ready. If the day goes by without attack or difficult temptation, then thank the Lord, and then ask the Father to lead you the next day, being ready for anything.

 

So we can expand the translation of this opening sentence just a little to get its nuance.

 

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty strength and put on the full armor in order that you may be continuously able to stand (whenever it is necessary). [EPH 6:10-11 expanded]

 

Think of a weight lifter. He is to be strong and able to lift 500 lbs over his head. He must always be able. He can’t be weak and get in shape a week before the competition. But he is not lifting that weight all the time, but only when it is necessary.

 

Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal, it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap. So many millions fall for the traps of evil every day. The believer must not be one of those casualties. Through wisdom and faithfulness to God’s way, we must be strong in the Lord and in His mighty strength.

 

The schemes of the devil include temptation to sin and also to use committed sin as an opportunity to destroy spiritual lives.

 

To stand connotes strength, stability, and success in a conflict or difficulty.

 

Christ told us that a divided house cannot stand. To stand firm in God’s strength, wearing His armor, our hearts must not be divided - complete submission to God’s will.

 

We can stand because God has gifted us with the power of eternal life, which has a divine way.

 

ROM 5:1-5

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

How do we stand firm?

 

Standing firm - not wavering on the foundation of Christ’s way, truth, and life by the strength of God and the armor of God.

 

We have to be able to do this, but we may find it too difficult if we have a whole lot of instructions in our minds that we can’t seem to remember just yet. Strength comes by faithfulness and it comes from the Trinity and the word. The easy thing to remember is faithfulness on our part. What do we need to put on? We put on the armor of God, Christ, the armor of light, the armor of faith and love, and a virtuous heart of love for others. Find a way to easily remember them in the imagery which the Scripture projects to you.

 

Faithfulness, faith, and obedience are good words that seem to cover it all. But if that’s all we needed to know we would have so much more written. There is so much to know, and to recall so as to act, that we have to rely on God to some extent to inspire us from within to remember.

 

To stand connotes strength, stability, and success in a conflict of difficulty (ROM 11:20; 14:4; 2CO 1:24; GAL 5:1; PHI 4:1; COL 4:12; 1TH 3:8; 2TH 2:15; 2TI 2:19).

 

MAT 7:24-29

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.”

 

28 The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

 

PRO 10:25

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,

But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

 

Christ took from us our desire to evaluate His words and left us only one option - to act upon them.

 

Like the man who wanted to discuss who might be his neighbor before he committed to loving, so Christians and mankind in general desire to discuss and argue the pros and cons of obvious things that they know in their conscience that they should be doing. Some things require a lot of discussion and debate before good decisions are made (like government policy and law) but clear commands from God need more doing and less investigation. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t discuss and ask questions, but while we are, we should be doing our level best to fulfill the commands given.