What Does Ephesians 6:10-18 Mean?

Ephesians 6:12 Direct teaching

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:11 Direct teaching

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version) Direct teaching

“For we wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against principalities and powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.”

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Ephesians 6:12 Supporting witness

Nothing is better than that peace which is according to Christ, by which all war, both of aërial and terrestrial spirits, is brought to an end. "For we wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against principalities and powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places."

Irenaeus, Connection to Ephesians 6:11 Supporting witness

For this reason does Paul say in his Epistle to the Ephesians: Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Again, when in the preceding verse he bids us put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, Ephesians 6:11 does he not show that all the things which he mentions after the devil's name really belong to the devil— the principalities and the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, Ephesians 6:12 which we also ascribe to the devil's authority?

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

We must therefore put on the panoply of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

The Apostle Paul teaches us to be armed and prepared, saying, We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers, and the princes of this world and of this darkness, against spirits of wickedness in high places.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

but put on, he says, the armour of God, that you may be able to resist the wiles of the devil: pointing out that the saints have to wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

But they have no power over those who have put on the whole armour of God, who have received strength to withstand the wiles of the devil, and who are ever engaged in contests with them, knowing that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

for, being armed with the whole armour of God, we stand as athletes of piety against the race of demons that plot against us.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Ephesians 6:14 Direct teaching

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:18 Direct teaching

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:17 Direct teaching

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

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

May He hold forth to us the divine arms, those weapons that know not how to be conquered — the breastplate of righteousness, which is never accustomed to be broken — the shield of faith, which cannot be pierced through — the helmet of salvation, which cannot be shattered — and the sword of the Spirit, which has never been wont to be injured.

Methodius, Connection to Ephesians 6:13 Supporting witness

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God,"

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

but putting on the whole armour of God, which is our protection, let us have the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel (of peace).

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

who bids us take the shield of faith, wherewith we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil, and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which (he says) is the word of God.

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil;

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

but putting on the whole armour of God, which is our protection, let us have the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel (of peace).

Anonymous, Connection to Ephesians 6:10 Supporting witness

taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Ephesians 6:10 Direct teaching

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:13 Direct teaching

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Polycarp, Connection to Ephesians 6:14 Supporting witness

Ephesians 6:14 serve the Lord in fear and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory, 1 Peter 1:21 and a throne at His right hand.

Polycarp, Connection to Ephesians 6:11 Supporting witness

Ephesians 6:11 and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Wherefore put on the whole armour, that you may be able to withstand in the most evil day, that when you have done all you may stand;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

9. Let us take these arms, let us fortify ourselves with these spiritual and heavenly safeguards, that in the most evil day we may be able to withstand, and to resist the threats of the devil: let us put on the breastplate of righteousness, that our breast may be fortified and safe against the darts of the enemy: let our feet be shod with evangelical teaching, and armed, so that when the serpent shall begin to be trodden and crushed by us, he may not be able to bite and trip us up: let us bravely bear the shield of faith, by the protection of which, whatever the enemy darts at us may be extinguished: let us take also for protection of our head the helmet of salvation, that our ears may be guarded from hearing the deadly edicts;

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

But as our struggle lies against the rulers of this world, Ephesians 6:12 what a host of Creator Gods there must be!