…and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:17
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
17 . Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.
WP-Bible pluginb-18
Often we approach a passage like this thinking we already know what we will find. It seems crystal clear, no questions, and unfortunately, no thought. Usually verse 17 is finished, “Study your Bible.” Then, if verse 18 is even read, it is treated as a new topic, “Pray.” These verses (and in fact well into verse 20) are one solid thought: “…and take up the sword of the spirit (which is the word of God) through prayer of every kind, always in the power of the Spirit, watching and making request on behalf of all the saints…”
From the very start, this passage is harder than it might seem. The word “which” in the phrase “which is the word of God” could refer to more than one thing! One possibility is that “which” refers to the Spirit. The other is that it refers to the whole phrase, “sword of the Spirit”. Now, the difference is not very great once looked at as a whole, but it does affect the way we will view the rest of the passage, and relationships that are being made between expressions.
And it doesn’t stop there. Multiple Greek words can be found translated “word” in English. The one found in this verse most often refers to spoken words. This often refers to revelation: all that has been and continues to be revealed – “spoken” – by God. Isaiah 11:4-5Isaiah 11:4-5
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
4 The poor and the needy
will be treated with fairness
and with justice.
His word will be law
everywhere in the land,
and criminals
will be put to death.
5 . Honesty and fairness
will be his royal robes.
WP-Bible plugin and 2 Thessalonians 2:82 Thessalonians 2:8
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
8 . Then he will appear, but the Lord Jesus will kill him simply by breathing on him. He will be completely destroyed by the Lord's glorious return.
WP-Bible plugin speak powerfully of this “breath of God”. Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 4:12
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
12 What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.
WP-Bible plugin, using slightly different language, refers to the way in which God’s words are alive and active, penetrating into our very being. But going beyond revelation, Paul often uses this same word to refer to the proclamation of the gospel – the good news of salvation and God’s new Kingdom.
What Paul is sharing here is rich and powerful. This living word of God that penetrates us is made possible, or is even equated with, the Spirit of God. This living word empowers us to proclaim the message that sounds Satan’s defeat. This living word includes Scripture. We are blessed to have a written account of all that God has done in Jesus Christ, all that he did to prepare a people and a place for him to accomplish his purposes. But God hasn’t stopped there. He has not just left us with a book to muddle through. He has placed his own Spirit inside us, who helps us grasp it and remember it. He promises to be with us when we are brought before men and forced to give an account for our relationship with God and the gift he offers. He will speak his own words to and through us, in that moment.
What is equally important to note is that we take up the sword of the Spirit through – by means of – prayer. These are not separate activities. It is prayer that enables us to respond to these words from God. It is in prayer that we offer requests for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul sought, along with the prayers for all the other believers, that they would pray for him regularly (Ephesians 6:19Ephesians 6:19
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
19 Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news.
WP-Bible plugin). He asks them to pray that God would speak words into his mouth to make known the mystery of the gospel.
Praying for all God’s people to be able to effectively share the good news is exactly what it means to take up the sword of the Spirit. This is the offense that we present to Satan and all the demonic forces and world systems that muster against the Church: For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16Romans 1:16
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
The Power of the Good News
16 . I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
WP-Bible plugin – see also 2 Timothy 1:122 Timothy 1:12
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
12 That's why I am suffering now. But I am not ashamed! I know the one I have faith in, and I am sure that he can guard until the last day what he has trusted me with. d what he has trusted me with: Or “what I have trusted him with.”
WP-Bible plugin)
0 Comments.