In the final section of the New Testament Letter to the Ephesians, the author begins with this statement: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”1 Even Christian toy manufacturers have come up with their own representation of this – a little “armour of God’ set consisting of a (plastic) helmet, shield, belt and sword – all fashioned after the style of a medieval knight. A few weeks ago, we read the account of Jesus’ betrayal and death in a garden just outside Jerusalem. In John’s Gospel, it states that “Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear.” But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath.”2 And in the same account in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus emphatically says, “No more of this!”
So where does this “armour of God” notion come from? In actual fact, the author of Ephesians had lots of references from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to draw from. In those Scriptures, it’s clear that Israel often referred to God as a “warrior” who would protect or rescue Israel from its enemies. But those texts don’t describe God’s armour as the usual military gear. In the later period of Isaiah, the prophet writes, “He [God] put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head.”3 And in the Book of Wisdom, likely composed just before Jesus’ lifetime, the author writes, “The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armour… he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; He will take holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword…”4
The author of Ephesians tries to clarify what kind of battle we might be engaged in such that we need this armour of God. “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh [human beings] but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”5 In the contemporary cosmology of 1st century Judaism, there was a hierarchical ordering of power and authority beginning with human rulers and then ascending to angelic beings and other cosmic powers. These unseen powers exercised their power and authority through the human rulers lower on this hierarchy. So the exhortation to Christian disciples is to equip themselves with these godly moral attitudes (armour) that would empower them to withstand the pressure and temptation to turn away from following Christ and to be able to instruct others to continue to follow Christ. (i.e. belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes that enable the proclamation of the gospel of peace, along with the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation – protecting one from evil attack.)
But this imagery of putting on “articles of clothing” also has another significance. In the ancient church, when one was baptized into Christ, part of the liturgy involved taking off old clothes and putting on new ones – particularly a white robe – symbolizing putting on Christ himself. “Let us then lay aside the words of darkness and put on the armour of light… put on the Lord Jesus Christ…”6 Earlier in the Letter to the Ephesians the author writes, “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self… and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”7
So the New Testament epistles admonish the baptized Christian to consciously put on this “armour” as part of their daily living as followers of Christ. And they make the point that we should always be discerning what the real threat is behind the destructive words and actions of others – who are, perhaps unknowingly, working against God’s good intentions for the Church and the world.
Much of these exhortations in the New Testament are coming from leaders in the Christian community who are trying to teach Christ’s way to their “flock.” But how does this play out amongst the leaders of the Church? In the early Church this would have been the apostles and the elders. In our contemporary Church, it might refer to bishops, clergy, and lay staff at all levels of the Church.
With over 18 years of experience in episcopal ministry, I can say that “living out what you teach” can be quite a challenge! First of all, as seems typical in our contemporary cultures, when people are unhappy with what they’re experiencing, they want to try and make their leaders accountable for what’s taking place. It is no different in the Church. Bishops frequently have to bear the pain, disillusionment, anger, and frustration of those in the Church. And while one can say “That’s what you signed up for!”, it is made more challenging by the need to exemplify “wearing the armour of God” in all circumstances. That means being willing to speak the truth – about the situation, about others, and yes, about yourself. It means being transparent in your leadership (righteousness) and speaking and acting in such a way that people are able to receive a “gospel of peace” from you and the situation. And since bishops come from the same frail humanity that the rest of do, it means being able to “quench” the hurt and pain (flaming arrows) that others project on to you, without you being destroyed by it. And finally, even in your most fearful state, it means being sure enough of the salvation God has given you in Jesus Christ, and the authority with which the Church has called and anointed you, to be confident in the helmet of salvation – that you will ultimately be preserved in whatever challenge you are immersed.
The author of Ephesians began this final section with these words, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” A bishop needs to know how to draw, not on his or her own strength, but on the grace and strength of God – in all circumstances. Finally, a bishop must “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.” A bishop needs to know how to pray – deeply, passionately, and compassionately, for all persons and in all circumstances. This is how they can wear the “armour of God” and teach others to do the same.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14
- John 18: 10-11
- Isaiah 59:17
- Wisdom 5:17-20
- Ephesians 6:12
- Romans 13:12, 14
- Ephesians 4:22, 24
