According to tradition Paul
wrote Ephesians while in prison. The presence of a Roman soldier gave him an
analogy for this reading. He sees a Christian as a soldier properly equipped to
do battle with the world. A Christian is in constant conflict with the world
because it is evil. The enemy to be defeated is spiritual evil powers,
darkness, wickedness. To conquer this kind of enemy, the Christian warrior
needs, appropriate spiritual equipment which Paul describes in terms of a Roman
soldier’s equipment. Since the Christian is now equipped for battle, he/she
goes forth emboldened and empowered by prayer.[2]
This last reading from St
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians fit exceptionally well with Sunday’s other
readings.
Moses had
given his instruction to the Israelites because he knew how easy it is for
people to fall away from God. In times of both adversity and prosperity, people
may be tempted to forsake the Lord. Attacks will come, for the devil hates God
and all whom He loves.
The Christian must gird himself for spiritual
warfare with the weapons which God has provided: truth, righteousness, the
Gospel, faith, salvation—with these, we are equipped for the assaults of the
Evil One.
[1] Go into all the world, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for aid against temptation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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