Spiritual Combat, Part 5-An Exegesis and Exposition of Ephesians 6:10

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1 Spiritual Combat, Part 5-An Exegesis and Exposition of Ephesians 6:10 Throughout this study of Ephesians 6:10-18, we will be employing the New American Standard Updated version as we perform the exegesis and exposition of the original text of this passage. Eph 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (NASU) Finally : (1) Genitive neuter singular definite article tou (2) Genitive neuter singular form of the adjective loipos, remaining. This is a genitive of reference meaning, literally, with respect to that, which is remaining. In Ephesians 6:10, we have the adverbial articular singular conclusive usage of the adjective loipos meaning, finally, in closing, lastly, in conclusion. The adverbial articular singular conclusive construction of the adjective loipos marks an addition, which serves as the last item in a series and marks a degree of finality or a conclusion. It is marking the conclusion of the Ephesian epistle and presenting some final prohibitions and commands for the Ephesian believers. Be strong is the 2 nd person plural present passive imperative form of the verb endunamoo. In the Lord : (1) Preposition en, by means of (2) Instrumental masculine singular form of the noun kurios, Lord. The verb endunamoo is a compound word and is composed of the following: (1) Preposition en, in (2) Noun dunamis, power. The verb endunamoo appears in 8 times in the Greek New Testament (Acts 9:22; Rm. 4:20; Eph. 6:10; Phlp. 4:13; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 2:1; 4:17; Heb. 11:34). Philippians 4:13, I possess the power to overcome all kinds of situations by means of the one whose doctrine empowers (endunamoo) me. 2 Timothy 2:1, You therefore, my son, from this moment on permit yourself to be empowered (endunamoo) by means of the grace which resides in the doctrine of Christ Jesus. The verb endunamoo refers to the dynamic spiritual power that is available to every believer who is obedient to the Word of God, which is alive and powerful. The term kurios, Lord is applied to the Father (Matt. 11:25; Luke 2:26; 10:21; 20:42), the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17) and the Son (Eph. 6:10; 1 Cor. 1:8). This word denotes the absolute sovereignty that is inherent in each member of the Trinity and thus refers to their divine nature. The noun kurios denotes that the impeccable humanity of Christ in hypostatic union has been promoted by God the Father as sovereign ruler over all creation. Philippians 2:5-6, Everyone continue thinking this (according to humility) within yourselves, which was also in (the mind of) Christ Jesus, Who although 2004 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 existing from eternity past in the essence of God, He never regarded existing equally in essence with God an exploitable asset. Philippians 2:7-8, On the contrary, He denied Himself of the independent function of His deity by having assumed the essence of a slave when He was born in the likeness of men. In fact, although He was discovered in outward appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by having entered into obedience to the point of spiritual death even death on a Cross. Philippians 2:9, For this very reason in fact God the Father has promoted Him to the highest-ranking position and has awarded to Him the rank, which is superior to every rank. Philippians 2:10, In order that in the sphere of this rank possessed by Jesus every person must bow, celestials and terrestrials and sub-terrestrials. Philippians 2:11, Also, every person must publicly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord for the glory of God the Father. In Ephesians 6:10 a figure of speech called the metonymy of the cause where the cause is put for the effect meaning that we have the Person of the Lord put here for His doctrine or word. The preposition en is employed with the instrumental form of the noun kurios and is a marker of means. This prepositional phrase en kurio in Ephesians 6:10 should not be translated in the Lord but rather by means of the (Word of) Lord since the context is not emphasizing the sphere in which the believer is to be empowered but rather the means by which the Ephesian believers were to empower themselves against the enemy. The application of the Word of the Lord is the means by which the believer is to empower himself in order to achieve victory in spiritual combat with his invisible enemy. This is a customary present imperative, which is a command for action to be continued, action that may or may not have already been going on and is often a character building command to the effect of make this your habit, train yourself in this, etc. The customary present imperative of endunamoo in Ephesians 6:10 means that Paul is commanding the Ephesian believers to make it a habit to empower themselves with the Word of the Lord. This is a permissive passive meaning that the Ephesian believers are to make it a habit to permit themselves to be empowered by means of the doctrine of the Lord. We will translate endunamoo in Ephesians 6:10, all of you make it your habit to permit yourselves to be empowered William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 Corrected translation of Ephesians 6:10, In closing, all of you make it your habit to permit yourselves to be empowered by means of the (Word of) the Lord. The Word of God provides every believer with divine omnipotence according to Hebrews 4:12. Heb. 4:12, The Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, and of the joints and the marrow, and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart. Ps 119:28, My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. The Spirit of God working through the Word of God provides every believer with divine omnipotence according to Romans 15:13. Rom 15:13, Now may the God of confidence fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in confidence by the power of the Holy Spirit. The sword that the Spirit employs in spiritual combat is the Word of God. Eph 6:17, And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The believer must always be cognizant or aware that in every phase of spiritual combat the battle is the Lord s meaning we are to be totally dependent upon His Word and Spirit in order for us to achieve victory in spiritual combat. To permit yourself to be empowered by means of the Word of the Lord means the believer must appropriate by faith what the Word of God says about himself, namely that he has been crucified, died, buried, raised and seated with Christ at the Father s right hand, far above all angelic power and authority. It means to appropriate by faith his union with Christ and this is what it means to put on the nature of Christ. The Amplified Bible comes very close to this in their translation of this portion of Ephesians 6:10: In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]. The primary doctrine in the Word of God that the church age believer must appropriate for himself by faith is his position in Christ and union with Christ for this will give enable him to experience victory over his sin nature, the cosmic system and Satan himself. The Lord Jesus Christ illustrated this in His vine and the branches metaphor in John 15 where He states in this passage that His disciples were totally dependent upon their union with Him and His Word and that they could not be productive spiritually without Him William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 John 15:1-8, I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. At the moment of salvation, the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit placed the believer in an eternal union with Christ meaning that the believer has been permanently identified with Christ in His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and session at the right hand of the Father and this is called the baptism of the Spirit. Gal 3:26-28, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Baptized in Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27 and 1 Corinthians 12:13 is the verb baptizo (baptivzw), to cause the believer to be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. Webster s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines the verb identify, to cause to be or become identical, to conceive as united (as in spirit, outlook, or principle). Webster s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary defines the noun identification, a process by which a person ascribes to himself the qualities or characteristics of another person. At the moment of salvation, the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit causes the believer to become identical and united with the Lord Jesus Christ and also ascribes to the believer the qualities and characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Baptism of the Spirit results in positional sanctification and the potential to experience sanctification in time and the promise of ultimate sanctification at the resurrection of the church. Sanctification is a technical theological term for the believer who has been set apart through the Baptism of the Spirit at the moment of salvation in order to serve God exclusively and is accomplished by God in 3 stages: (1) Positional (2) Experiential (3) Ultimate William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 Positional: The entrance into the plan of God for the Church Age resulting in eternal security as well as 2 categories of positional truth (1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Thess. 5:23; Eph. 5:26-27; Heb. 2:11; 10:10; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom. 6:3, 8; 2 Thess. 2:13). It is absolutely essential for the believer be cognizant of his position in Christ in order for him to experience victory in spiritual combat. (1) Retroactive: The Church Age believer s identification with Christ in His death and burial (Rom. 6:3-11; Col. 2:12). Romans 6:1-3, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? (2) Current: The Church Age believer s identification with Christ in His resurrection, ascension and session (Col. 3:1-4). Col 3:1-4, Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Positional sanctification: (1) What God has done for the church age believer. (2) His viewpoint of the church age believer. (3) Sets up the potential to experience sanctification in time. (4) Provides the believer with the promise of receiving a resurrection body. Experiential sanctification is the function of the Church Age believer s spiritual life in time through the utilization of the 2 Great Divine Provisions of the Spirit of God and the Word of God (John 17:17; Rom. 6:19, 22; 2 Tim. 2:21; 1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 7; 1 Tim. 2:15). John 17:17, Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Experiential sanctification is the post-salvation experience of the church age believer who is consistently in fellowship with God by confessing any known sin to the Father when necessary and then immediately begins applying the Word of eternal life, which in turn enables the Spirit of eternal life to reproduce the character and (eternal) life of Christ in the believer. Experiential sanctification is only a potential since it is contingent upon the church age believer responding to what God has done for him at the moment of salvation, therefore, only believers who are obedient to the Word of God will experience sanctification in time. The believer who experiences sanctification is walking in newness of life and he does this by obeying teaching of the Word of God, which states that the believer 2004 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 has been crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and raised with Christ and which teaching is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:4, Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Gal 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Ultimate sanctification is the perfection of the church age believer s spiritual life at the Rapture, i.e. resurrection of the church, which is the completion of the plan of God for the church age believer (1 Cor. 15:53-54; Gal. 6:8; 1 Pet. 5:10; John 6:40). Romans 6:5, For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. Ultimate sanctification is the promise of resurrection body and will be experienced by every believer regardless of their response in time to what God has done for them at the moment of salvation. 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Corrected translation of Ephesians 6:10, In closing, all of you make it your habit to permit yourselves to be empowered by means of the (Word of) the Lord. Eph 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. And is the ascensive use of the coordinating conjunction kai, which introduces an addition that is out of the ordinary and rises to a climax like the crescendo in music. In the strength of His might : (1) Preposition en (2) Instrumental neuter singular definite article to (3) Instrumental (of means) neuter singular form of the noun kratos, which is kratei (4) Genitive feminine singular definite article tes (5) Genitive feminine singular form of the noun ischus, which is ischuos (6) Genitive (possessive) masculine singular form of the personal pronoun autos, which is autou. To explain how much power is available to believers, the apostle Paul employs four different Greek terms in the book of Ephesians: (1) Dunamis (noun), inherent ability, capability, potential (2) Energeia (noun), operative power (3) Kratos (noun), manifested power (4) Ischus (noun), possession of power to overcome. The noun kratos refers to strength or power William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 In the sense of strength it is used in classical Greek to describe the physical strength of a man, the material strength of a substance such as iron or more abstractly to refer to military strength. Also, in classical Greek, the word is often used for the authority granted to certain men by the gods, thus political power, rule, sovereignty and in medicine it was used to refer to ligaments in the human body. Its cognate verb is krateo, to be strong, to possess power, to rule, to hold, to arrest, grasp. Krateo was used in classical Greek to describe the inherent power of the gods. The noun kratos appears only 12 times in the Greek New Testament (Lk. 1:51; Acts 19:20; Eph. 1:19; 6:10; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 6:16; Heb. 2:14; 1 Pt. 4:11; 5:11; Jude 25; Rev. 1:6; 5:13). The noun kratos in Ephesians 6:10 refers to the inherent omnipotence of God that has been manifested through the resurrection and session of the unique theanthropic Person of the cosmos, the Lord Jesus Christ who achieved at the Cross of Calvary the decisive victory in the angelic conflict. The believer can appropriate this omnipotence that has been manifested in the Person of Christ by appropriating by faith his position in and union with Christ. Eph 1:18-23, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power (dunamis, inherent power ) toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working (energeia, operative power ) of the strength (ischus, possession of power to overcome ) of His might (kratos, manifested power ) which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Col 1:9-12, For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power (dunamis), according to His glorious might (kratos), for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. We will translate the noun kratos in Ephesians 6:10, manifested power William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 Corrected translation of Ephesians 6:10, In closing, all of you make it your habit to permit yourselves to be empowered by means of the (Word of) the Lord, even by means of the manifested power (in the Person of Christ). The noun ischus refers to the possession of power to overcome. It appears 11 times in the Greek New Testament (Mk. 12:30, 33; Lk. 10:27; Eph. 1:19; 6:10; 2 Thess. 1:9; 1 Pt. 4:11; 2 Pt. 2:11; Rev. 5:12; 7:12; 18:2). The noun ischus appears together with the noun kratos in Ephesians 1:19, 6:10, 1 Peter 5:11 and Revelation 5: Its cognate verb ischuo means, to possess the power to overcome. Philippians 4:13, I possess the power to overcome (ischuo) all kinds of situations by means of the one whose doctrine empowers me. The verb ischuo and its cognate noun ischus emphasize the actual power implied in ability or capacity or in other words, it emphasizes the power which one possesses. The verb ischuo also meant, to use force, exercise power, particularly bodily, physical power. The verb ischuo was also used in the LXX with reference to overcoming another in battle and denotes military strength (Nm. 24:18; Jos. 6:2; cf. Rev. 12:8). The noun ischus in Ephesians 6:10 is used in the context of a military analogy and denotes the possession of Christ s power to overcome in spiritual combat Satan and the kingdom of darkness. In Ephesians 6:10 the noun ischus refers to the 100% availability of divine omnipotence that has been made available to every church age believer because of their union with the Lord Jesus Christ that provides them the power to overcome their invisible enemy, namely Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Every church age believer through his union with the Lord Jesus Christ possesses the power to overcome his invisible enemy the kingdom of darkness led by Satan. This is an epexegetical genitive or some Greek grammarians classify a genitive of definition or apposition where the noun ischus further defines the meaning of the instrumental noun kratos, manifested power. Therefore, we should translate ischus, which is the possession of His power to overcome. The preposition en is employed with the instrumental form of the noun kratos and ischus as a marker of means. This prepositional phrase en to kratei tes ischuos autou in Ephesians 6:10 should not be translated in the strength of His might but rather by means of the manifested power, which is the possession of His power to overcome. The reason for this is that the context is not emphasizing the sphere in which the believer is to be strengthened but the means by which the Ephesian believers were to be strengthened William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 Corrected translation of Ephesians 6:10, In closing, all of you make it your habit to permit yourselves to be empowered by means of the (Word of) the Lord, even, by means of the manifested power (in the Person of Christ), which is the possession of His power to overcome William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9