"Getting it" Together (Ephesians 6:11-14)

Ephesians 6:13 says, "... take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

STAND - The word "stand", is used in some form, four different times in this passage.( 6:11,13[2x],14 ) The word refers to holding a person's position, and specifically, that position on the military line, with your shield linked together with other soldiers.[ see Take Your Place] It implies, to stand victorious in your position, from the start, unmovable.

WITHSTAND - This form of the word, has a prefix added to it, which makes it an intensive usage of the word, meaning not only to hold your position, but to hold it face to face against your opponent.

The Evil Day - Though indicated in the English, there seems to be no specific emphasis of a certain "day", in the Greek, other than the conflict that we are engaged in, at any given time, against the enemy. The NEB translates this, "... when things are at their worst..."

Having Done All - This word is a single compound word in the Greek, coming from the root word meaning "to work". The prefix added to it intensifies the idea of the word to mean "to completely accomplish" or "work out". What is conveyed, is that there is no room left for error; every thing that can be done is done; no stone is left unturned; the task required, is fully and completely accomplished.

There are several significant aspects to this verse, and passage, concerning our military armor and warfare; one of which is that 6:11, exhorts us to "put on" the whole armor of God, while 6:13 speaks of "take unto" you the whole armor of God. The difference being that to "put on", means to be clothed with something, so as to resemble or display what you are clothed with.

To "take unto" you the whole armor of God, speaks more specifically of "using" what you already possess, or are clothed with. for its intended purpose.

We possess the whole armor of God, and His nature and character is displayed in our lives, but it is only when we actually use the weaponry that is ours, that the cause of Christ is advanced.

What is also significant about this passage, is that there is a progression concerning us "standing":

FIRST, we are clothed with the whole armor of God in readiness, standing victorious, in preparation for engagement in battle.(6:11).

SECOND, we engage the enemy, and we advance in the conflict until we stand ["withstand"] face to face against our adversary.(6:13).[We are doing the attacking!].

THIRD, having successfully taken back ground that was rightfully ours, and ensuring that we now firmly hold our new position of advancement ["having done all"], we maintain our new possession against a counter- attack ["having done all, to stand"].(6:13).

Though each of us have authority, and it is necessary for each of us individually to know our position and calling in "the army", what is crucial to understand, is that advancement and possessing the land that is legally ours, is not accomplished by the efforts of a few, but by the whole army [body] of Christ functioning as a finely tuned unit. There are no superstars, only one bright and morning star. When each church member functions in his or her calling and then corporately we enable one another to fulfill our God given destiny and purpose in Christ, the Church advances, and possesses what is already rightfully hers.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.