Read & explore together

The Full Armor of God

These verses call believers to be strong in the Lord’s mighty strength. Using the picture of armour, they teach how to stand firm against spiritual evil with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, God’s word and prayer.

Ephesians 6:10–20Read together with an adultLetter and teaching

Parchment, a reed pen and an ink pot on an ancient writing table

Understanding the passage

The setting of these words

These verses give a final instruction about standing firm. They repeat the need to put on the whole armour of God and explain that the struggle is not against flesh and blood. Then they name each part of the armour and ask for prayer for bold speech about the good news, even in chains.

Ephesians 6:10–20

Main takeaway

This passage teaches believers to rely on the Lord’s strength, stand against spiritual evil with God’s armour, and keep praying with perseverance.

Follow the letter’s teaching

Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.

01Strength to stand comes from the LordThe passage begins with a command to be strong, but it places that strength in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Explanation

The passage begins with a command to be strong, but it places that strength in the Lord and in his mighty power. The image of the whole armour of God shows that believers need God’s provision to stand against the devil’s schemes. The repeated aim is to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:10 Ephesians 6:11 Ephesians 6:13

02The struggle is spiritual, so God’s armour is neededThese verses explain why the armour matters. The conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, powers and spiritual forces of wickedness.

Explanation

These verses explain why the armour matters. The conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, powers and spiritual forces of wickedness. Because of that, believers are told again to put on the whole armour of God. In the evil day, the goal is to withstand and still stand.

Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:13

03Each part of the armour points to God’s provisionThe armour is listed piece by piece: truth like a belt, righteousness like a breastplate, and readiness from the Good News of peace for the feet.

Explanation

The armour is listed piece by piece: truth like a belt, righteousness like a breastplate, and readiness from the Good News of peace for the feet. Then come faith as a shield against the evil one’s fiery darts, salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:14 Ephesians 6:15 Ephesians 6:16 Ephesians 6:17

04Prayer belongs with the armourThe teaching does not finish with the sword. It calls for prayer at all times in the Spirit, with watchfulness, perseverance and requests for all the saints.

Explanation

The teaching does not finish with the sword. It calls for prayer at all times in the Spirit, with watchfulness, perseverance and requests for all the saints. It also asks for prayer for the speaker, for boldness to make known the mystery of the Good News, even as an ambassador in chains.

Ephesians 6:18 Ephesians 6:19 Ephesians 6:20

Questions to explore

Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.

01Why do these verses say believers need the whole armour of God?

Look at the reason given: the struggle is against spiritual forces, and the armour helps believers withstand and stand.

Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:13

02Which parts of the armour are connected with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God’s word?

List each item in the order the passage gives it and match it to the body part or weapon named.

Ephesians 6:14 Ephesians 6:15 Ephesians 6:16 Ephesians 6:17

03What prayer request appears at the end of the passage?

Notice the request for boldness in making known the mystery of the Good News, even while in chains.

Ephesians 6:18 Ephesians 6:19 Ephesians 6:20

Read the Bible passage

World English Bible Classic

Scripture quotation · Public domain

Ephesians 6:10–20

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

16above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

19Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.