Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses Ephesian believers, concluding his letter with a directive for spiritual readiness immediately after commanding them to draw strength from the Lord. He issues this command just before clarifying that the conflict targets spiritual forces rather than human opponents.

The words — ἐνδύσασθε (endusasthe) commands believers to actively "put on" τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ (tēn panoplian tou theou), the complete armor belonging to God. The phrase πρὸς τὸ δυνασθαι (pros to dunasthai) ties this action directly to the capacity to resist the devil’s schemes.

The thread — The armor motif recurs in Romans 13:12 as a call to exchange darkness for light, while 2 Corinthians 10:4 parallels the concept by describing warfare weapons that possess divine power. Ephesians 6:13 reinforces the command to take up this armor for standing firm during the day of evil.

Why it lands — The text commands believers to actively assume divine protection to withstand spiritual opposition. It requires practical readiness rather than passive hope.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἐνδύσασθεendusasthedo put on τὴνtēnthe πανοπλίανpanopliancomplete armor τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God πρὸςprosfor τὸto<the>δύνασθαιdunasthaito be able ὑμᾶςhumasyou στῆναιstēnaito stand πρὸςprosagainst τὰςtasthe μεθοδείαςmethodeiasschemes τοῦtouof the διαβόλου·diaboloudevil;

King James Version

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.