Bible Strands
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian church in the closing exhortation of his letter (6:10–20), urging believers to put on the full armor of God against spiritual opposition.
The words — περικεφαλαία (perikephalaia) is a military term for a close-fitting helmet, distinct from a general head covering, specifying protection for the mind.
The thread — The sword motif recurs in Hebrews 4:12 (the word as a double-edged sword) and Revelation 19:15 (the sword from Christ's mouth); the helmet of salvation appears in Isaiah 59:17 as part of God's own battle garb.
Why it lands — The helmet is passive protection (salvation secures the mind), but the sword is an offensive weapon the believer must actively wield. It asks the reader to treat Scripture as a tool for engagement, not merely for comfort.
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
King James Version
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Cross-references
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
- Revelation 19:15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
- 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.
- Isaiah 49:2 He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.
- Matthew 4:10 “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
- Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.
- Hosea 6:5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.
- Revelation 12:11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
- Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”