PAUL’S LETTER TO THE
EPHESIANS

ἜΦΕΣΟΣ

Paul, an emissary of Jesus the Anointed by the will of God,
          to the holy ones who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Jesus the Anointed,
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed.

Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the complete armor of God so that you’re able to be firm against the tactics of the Slanderer, because we're not supposed to fight against humans of flesh and blood, but we are called to fight against the spiritual rulers and authorities, against the cosmic powers that rule this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Because of this, take up the complete armor of God, so that you're able to resist on the evil day and be firm after doing everything.

So stand firm,
with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness as your breastplate,
binding your feet with the preparation
of the good news of peace as your sandals,
and in all this, taking up the shield of faith,
with which y’all will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God.
And do this through every prayer and petition,
praying in every season in Spirit
and keeping alert

Footnotes

a. Paul (Latin: Paulus) is the Roman name of Saul (Hebrew: Shaul) and the name which he chose to use during his ministry, similar to a missionary from a country where English is not the native language choosing an English name or vice-versa. Paul means “little”.

b. Or transliterated “apostle”.

c. Greek name: Ἔφεσος (Ephesos) - possibly derived from Hittite𒀀𒉺𒀀𒊭 Apāša. A maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and, under the Romans of proconsular Asia (see Ἀσία), situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus. The city was famous in its day for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), which has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its many monumental buildings included the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 24,000 spectators.

d. Or “devil”. Diabolos in Greek means “slanderer, false accuser”.

e. Isaiah 11:5

f. θώραξ, thorax (for which we get the word “thorax”). “the breastplate of righteousness (or justice)” - God’s justice protecting “the heart and its emotions (desires) as they bear on our decisions (resolutions, sympathies, etc.)” (HELPS Word-studies) Isaiah 59:17

g. “ἑτοιμασία” (hetoimasia) - the condition of a person or thing so far forth as prepared, preparedness, readiness (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). Used only here in Ephesians.

h. Being always ready to announce the good news to people. Isaiah 52:7

i. θυρεός, thureos - a large, door-shaped Roman shield that gave full protection for the soldier.

j. περικεφαλαία, perikephalaia (lit. “the encirclement of the head). Used twice in the Pauline epistles - here in Ephesians as salvation, and in 1 Thessalonians as the hope of salvation.

k. It’s God’s salvation protecting your mind. “God Himself dons a “helmet of salvation,” portraying deliverance initiated and accomplished by Him. This sets the theological pattern: salvation protects and enables the people of God, not vice-versa.” (Topical Lexicon) Isaiah 59:17

l. The only offensive weapon in Paul’s list here.