God's Empowering Armor

“Gods empowerment is an energizing potential we can all experience!”

As a kid in church, one of the most illustrated scriptures I can remember was on the discussion of the "Armor of God." The teacher would have someone wearing this armor that looked like something out of the movie Gladiator with Russell Crowe.

It had this kind of Roman Centurion look to the armor they displayed. Now as an adult, I've visited many various churches, listened to and watched many church leaders share their views on this subject. In the proceeding weeks, I would like to also share with you a new view that is actually more of a Re-Newed view on Pauls message in Ephesians, "The Armor of God."

Years of Biblical studies have taught me the importance of undertaking in-depth research on passages of scripture with one very important practice. To not put blinders on. Never allow yourself to be focused on one thing, because, you’ll miss out on seeing the Big Picture. In order to help keep those blinders off, you have to really examine every word and phrase in the Bible. This is also true for Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

According to christian tradition, Paul wrote letters to various "churches" in the areas he had visited. Such as to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians and the Ephesians.

In the 7th century B.C., Ephesus was under the rule of Lydian King Croesus, from 560 B.C. to 547 B.C., who was famous for funding the rebuilding of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. In 129 B.C., King Attalos of Pergamon left Ephesus to the Roman Empire in his will and the city came under the republic of Rome.

During the 1st century A.D., notable Jewish followers, such as Paul and John, began to spread word of the Israeli God, particularly noting the teachings of Christ. Among the rural Ephesian populace, the Greek based goddess Artemis was the goddess of wild nature, who danced in mountains, forests, and marshes. Artemis embodied the sportsman’s ideal.

The Ephesian Artemis was a very different version of the deity than the usual Greek based goddess of the hunt; here she was worshipped for fertility.

When young girls in Greece wanted to marry a man, they had to display their personal belongings from their childhood on an altar to Artemis. Hundreds of eunuch priests, virgin priestesses, and religious prostitutes served her.

Worship rituals were quite erotic. Artemis attracted devotees from all over the Greek world, because, these followers were promised fertility, long life, sexual fulfillment, and protection during pregnancy and childbirth. It was a seductively sexual type of her worship.

Paul visited Ephesus around 57–58 AD, and stayed there for over two years. His effectiveness and success in spreading the gospel meant that some people were turning away from the cult of Artemis.

Some Ephesians were also turning away from magic: “A number who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins.” [Acts 19:19]

This desertion from Artemis threatened local businesses, especially one wealthy business proprietor named Demetrius. Ephesus was famous for its silversmiths who built the temple, miniature replicas of the temple, and amulets inscribed with magic words. Concerned that he would lose his livelihood, Demetrius addressed his fellow artisans and said, “There is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.” [Acts 19:27]

Despite the pervasive presence and formidable force of Artemis, a strong "church" was established. But there would be problems as the teachings that Paul had brought to the city was being threatened.

WHOA! That was a lot of information, wasn't it? Why would I share all of this when talking about the topic of the "Armor of God?" Because in order to get the Big Picture as to why Paul wrote things in his letter to the Ephesians, we need to have a clear understanding of the culture and religion in Ephesus.

We also need a clear understanding of Paul as well. He was not a proselyte (i.e. convert to Judaism); he had been born a Jew, circumcised at eight years old, belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and referenced himself as “a Hebrew of Hebrews.” Paul, original name Saul (Sha'ul) was even a Hebrew name. [Acts 13:31: Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5].

Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews. His family lived outside of Israel, in Tarsus, the capital city of the Roman province of Cilicia, and spoke Hebrew as we'll as Greek.

He was a Pharisee [Acts 22:3, 23:6, 26:5] and Luke tells us that Paul had studied under the highly respected Rabbi Gamaliel. [Acts 22:3; Acts 5:4]

His father had also been a Pharisee [Acts 23:6] and Paul devoted his life to the rigorous observance of Biblical Law taught and practiced by the Pharisees.

Paul uses the term "Church" many times in his letters. The phrase, we read in our English Bibles comes from the Greek word "ekklesiai." Now remember, Paul came from a Jewish backdrfound and would have used the Hebrew equivalent of ekklesia - qahal [קהל]. It's translated in most occurrences as an assembly or community.

The first mention of qahal - ekklesia - church is in Deuteronomy by Moses. [Deuteronomy 4:10] In Deuteronomy 7:6 God calls this qahal - Church or assembly a HOLY people. The main theme of Ephesians is "the Assembly, the Body of Messiah" (Ephesians 4:1–3) where the Two Houses (i.e. Jewish and Non-Jewish followers) are to maintain the unity and reconciliation in practice which Jesus brought about positionally.

Paul exhorts the Assembly repeatedly to embrace a specific view of salvation. He addresses hostility, division, and self-interest more than any other topic in the letter.

The unity of the Assembly, especially between Jew (Judah) and Ephraim/Israel (Lost Sheep Gentiles) Believers, is the keynote of the Book. This is shown by the recurrence of such words and phrases as:

- Together, made alive together (Eph 2:5); raised up together, sitting together; (Eph 2:6) built together (Eph 2:22).

- One, indicating unity: one new man (Eph 2:15), one body (Eph 2:16) one Spirit (Eph 2:18) one hope (Eph 4:4) one God, one faith, one immersion, one God and Father of all (Eph 4:5–6).

Paul wasn't there to start a, "new faith." He was there to teach the people about the One True God of Israel. Alright, in Ephesians 6:10, let’s look at this first important statement made by Paul. He says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [Eph 6:10]

Paul is saying, " ...be continually empowered by God [ko'ach of Hashem - God's might or power] and in the oz [strength] of His gevurah - גבורה‎ - strength or might. Paul uses three different Hebrew words to describe strength, which focuses on God's mode of judging humanity.

He is focusing on the foundation of stringency, adherence to God's teachings, as well as strict dispensing out of justice. All this contrasts with "kindness" (Hebrew word Chesed) that has to do with the teaching that the World Is Built On Kindness, which implies mercy and forgiveness.

Three times, Paul uses phrases to describe God's strength, might, or power. In one simple word, Empowerment. This whole verse of Ephesians 6:10, Paul is referencing Psalms 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong [Chazak] and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Conclusion

Paul begins by letting the people in Ephesus know that they must wait for the Lord and be strong - Chazak - Be Courageous and Empowered by God who is With You! The overall focus on the Armor of God is about God being with you, to empower, strengthenn, or more specifically...to Protect you! Stay with us as we continue this series on the Armor of God next week.

Join our newest group entitled "Empowered" and take that next step!