Strength and Armor (10-11): Paul closes his letter (“Finally”) with the exhortation for believers to find their strength in the Lord.[1] This is the strength we need for our spiritual well-being and the strength available to us is sufficient, since it is the strength of the Lord’s might. The Lord Jesus is mighty[2] and the strength that we can draw from Him is also mighty. Are we responsible to do anything to position ourselves to be strengthened by the Lord?[3] Paul answers this in his parallel imperative: “put on[4] the full armor of God” (6:11). We are to put on the full spiritual armor (not partial!). This is our God-given provision that we might stand firm against the Devil’s schemes.

Spiritual Warfare (12): The schemes of the Devil (6:11) involve real spiritual beings working against us. Paul identifies our enemy as real demonic beings (“rulers,” “powers,” “world forces,” and “spiritual forces”), opening our eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare. Satan is really at work against our spiritual well-being through his demonic minions. We are in a serious and methodical attack masterminded by Satan,[5] who is trying to draw us away into sin through his influence of darkness and wickedness.[6] Only fools underestimate the dangers of this spiritual warfare. May all of us be wise and diligent to put on the full armor of God and stand firm in this raging spiritual warfare.

[1] The imperative “be strong” is in the passive voice and is better translated as “be strengthened” (NET).

[2] The Lord has supreme authority (1:20-21). His power is also seen in Col. 2:15; Psalm 2:9-12; Rev. 19:11-21.

[3] The passive imperative is much like the one we find in 5:18 “be filled with the Spirit.” As we are to position ourselves for the Spirit to fill us, so also are we to position ourselves for the Lord to strengthen us.

[4] This is a middle imperative which emphasizes our involvement: We ourselves are to put on ourselves.

[5] Satan is a deceiver (John 8:44) and a sinner (1 John 3:8), and he is actively scheming against the people of God (1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:10-11; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).

[6] Satan leads people into sin (2:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 5:15) and false doctrine (2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 Tim. 4:1).