The Roman military is known as one of the greatest in history. To this day they are studied in the most prestigious military academies in the world. Is it because of their superior weaponry? No, it is because of their tactics and discipline. The reason that the Roman army was able to defeat every military force of the ancient world was because of their unity. It is my belief that there is no mistake that Paul chose to compare the heavenly armor to that of a Roman foot soldier. It is not merely due to the fact that they were known at the time. It was God ordained that Paul would use, as a metaphor, the armor of the most disciplined military in history. The theme of Ephesians is unity. We can't think of just one soldier but instead must consider the entire army. Paul is not calling us to be ninjas for Jesus. But instead is calling us to take our place among the ranks of a far larger army.
Most of the pieces of the Roman armor are self-explanatory but this paper will focus on a few of them. First the belt of truth- this was not a mere belt to hold one's pants up. Instead this was a belt that was meant to "gird the loins." Its purpose was to hold up the garments to ensure that they would not entangle the soldier. In addition this belt, which was more like a leather apron, served to protect the lower abdomen. The obvious interpretation of this is that truth keeps us from tripping on our own shortcomings as well as serving to protect some of our vitals. When one considers the garments of the day they would also realize that it is this belt that is responsible for protecting the reproductive organs from brush, snakes, insects, and other dangers. This is, in my opinion, symbolic of the fact that if we are not girded in truth we will not be able to further the Kingdom of God. Truth is necessary to protect some of our most vulnerable areas so that we will survive as individuals and be able to raise up more disciples.
One of the most misunderstood pieces of the armor is the shield of faith. The shield was just as important, if not even more powerful, than the sword. The Roman shield was made of wood covered with leather. This shield, which was four feet tall and two and a half feet wide, could be soaked in water before battle. With this soaking they were very effective in stopping fiery arrows. The Romans would often use their shields, much like riot police today, to form an impenetrable wall. With this wall they could force themselves through enemy ranks. Soldiers behind them could hold their shields above to protect from projectiles. If one soldier fell another would instantly take his place. It was this unity that made the Romans a force that conquered every nation on earth.
The only offensive weapon explicitly mentioned is the sword. This sword (the gladius) was a short sword just over two feet long. It was used primarily for stabbing at stomach height. As the wall of soldiers would advance they would push back the enemy ranks with their shields. They would then reach underneath the shield with their sword to stab at the stomach, legs, and knee caps of the enemy. The use of the sword was to finish the enemy off. The word of God carries that same power. The ability to completely finish the enemy with one strike. It must be accompanied by faith. It is our faith that pushes the enemy back and off balance and it is the word of God that dispatches that same enemy. We must wield faith and the word with equal power.
There is a key weapon that is conspicuously absent from this armor. That is the javelin. The Roman soldier would carry several javelins. Before the opposing armies would clash the Romans would unleash several volleys. These javelins would often penetrate and destroy the shields of the enemy. Why is it that Paul left this key weapon out? It is my opinion that prayer takes that place. It is our intercession, and the power of the Spirit, that weakens the enemy before we engage. By the time that spiritual battles come the enemy is already weakened. The death of Christ has destroyed any real power of the enemy. It is up to us to finish the job. The enemy has no authority over us. We have been covered by the blood of the Lamb (helmet of salvation), we wield the sword of the Spirit, and are covered by faith and righteousness.
As we look at the structure of the book of Ephesians we see a progression of unity. First there is our unity in Christ. Paul then builds on that unity by teaching us about the unity that we should have with our fellow Christians. From there Paul talks about our family and work relationships. After all this comes a charge to the Church. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" (6:10). This is a fight for unity. What is the attack against? The unity that Paul is commanding us to have. For when that unity breaks down our relationship with Christ breaks down. When our relationship with Christ breaks down the enemy is victorious. This is a fight for our very souls. This command to "be strong" is one of five plural imperatives within the passage. It is a command not for us as individuals but a command for the body of Christ to stand up in unity. This is a charge from a general (Paul) to his troops (the Church) before commissioning us for war. The entire book of Ephesians is outlining what we are fighting for. This passage is merely the instructions on how to fight.
There are some key terms that are used in this passage. These terms provide an outline on how this fight must be waged. "Be strong in the Lord" reminds us that our battle is waged only in the power of God. We are able to wage war due to the fact that we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ (2:6). After we strengthen ourselves in the Lord we must "put on" the armor of God. Again this is a reminder that it is not us but is Christ in us. Just as we are clothed in garments of righteousness so are we able to wear this armor through the sacrifice of Christ. After we take up this armor we are to "stand firm." Again we see the imagery of Roman solidarity here. We are to put on the whole armor, stand firm, and pray at all times. For this is not a battle against flesh and blood. If it was against mere men our job would quite simple. But instead it is a battle waged against the forces of darkness that have sworn to destroy us.
There are a number of timeless truths as well as applications that can be made for today from this passage. There is a fight for unity that has been waged for the last two thousand years. It is more desperate today than ever before. Today, in America, the Church is more fragmented than at any time in history. We must be unified within the Church and no longer allow doctrinal disputes to divide us. The Jew versus Greek controversy in the early Church was not merely racial or cultural; rather it was primarily a doctrinal one. We must not allow non-essential doctrine divide us and keep us from fellowshipping together. Furthermore we must not allow anything else divide the Church. Generational differences, socio-economic class distinctions, and cultural preferences all divide the Church today. We must fight for unity to be restored.
There must be a unity within our relationships. The unity between believers is key and unity must start there. But it must flow from there into the home. Some might say that it starts at home and goes out. But I would disagree with that viewpoint. I believe that there is an important progression that Paul makes from unity within the body to the unity in the family. The two must be mastered at the same time because each effects the other. How can a marriage be united if one is not first united with their brothers and sisters? It is a lot easier for me to be united with my fellow staff members at church than with my family. But the unity within the Church can teach one how to be unified with our family members. One has to be united, in Christ, with their family members. First their spouse, then their children, and finally in their employer-employee relationships.
A key point to remember is that Paul reminds us that this battle is not against flesh and blood. This is a battle against the powers and principalities of this dark world. Too often we today forget this on those rare occasions when we fight for unity. Instead of focusing our attacks on what is attacking us we instead turn on those who are in the ranks with us. This is dangerous to say the least. When we see a brother who is no longer fighting for unity we must try to restore him. In no way should we see him as the enemy but instead we should shelter him. I have seen people forced out of churches in order to preserve a false sense of unity. That is not unity. It's not unity when like-minded individuals congregate and force out any who has the slightest difference. Unity is when a diverse group of people gather together and fight as one. How do we do this? By praying continuously for all of our brothers and sisters.
The book of Ephesians is one of the most powerful of Paul's epistles. In this book we find our identity in Christ. From there we learn on how our unity in Christ affects our relationships with those around us. As a final charge Paul instructs us on how to fight for this unity. We must pay close attention to this passage for our very lives depend on it. Our God is a god of unity. Our sworn enemy opposes anything of God and it is for this reason that he seeks to destroy unity as he does. Our most powerful attribute, as the Church, is our unity. Today, even more than ever, we must fight for that unity. As we keep our minds in the heavenly places and stand firm in His mighty power we will see victory.
Bibliography
Gundry, Robert A Survey of the New Testament 4th edition
Snodgrass, Klyne The NIV Application Commentary- Ephesians
Wikipedia.org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladius
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