Structurally, Ephesians six addresses relationship and spiritual warfare. It first continues what chapter five began: the ideal, willing subordination of the self to the other extends to the relationship between children and parents, servants and masters. Willing subordination is not spineless submission, and nowhere in a relationship founded in love will one discover the more powerful (husbands, parents, masters) forcing the weaker (wives, children, and servants) into submission. This simply is not the character of God-imitators. The final section concludes by describing how believers must arm themselves against powerful invisible forces. Some of these forces are clearly those threatening the development of the early church.

In Ephesians five, the writer has admonished believers to live in love and to walk in the light:

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour

......

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

On this foundation of love, a Christian marriage is one where two become one flesh:

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

How this happens, the writer concludes is a great mystery; believers are one in the spirit:

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

The reader may think of Galatians 3.28:

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

As I pointed out in my interpretation of chapter five, Godly behavior within a marriage and within a church derives from a right relationship with God and a right relationship with the "other" whether wife, children, or servants. In chapter five, the subject is the ideal unity to be achieved between husband and wife; in chapter six, the relationship is between children and parents, masters and servants.  The model extends far beyond individuals, though, for the writer addresses the relationship of the church to Christ. It is interesting how the writer extends his metaphor. Believers are are followers or children of God (1). These children are children of light (8). These children of light willingly submit one to another: "Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (21). From this unity of believers, the writer then addresses man and woman in the marital relationship:

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

The husband is the head of the wife; Christ is the head of the church, the savior of the body.

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

As the church is subject onto Christ, so also are wives to be subject to their husbands.  The metaphor of marriage next becomes an analogy:

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Finally, both metaphor and analogy are couched in mystery:

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Christ willingly unites spirit with flesh, the two becoming one, and that is the exemplary model upon which Christian partners unite in marriage. The writer is concerned, not just with individuals in marriage, but the Christian community as well. The ecclesiology describes a universal catholic church:

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

The reader will recall that Ephesians two spoke of the mystery of reconciliation between Jews and gentiles:

Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

In the service of this unity, the writer of Ephesians willingly bows himself: "Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The writer's prayer for all believers is strength within the spiritual self:

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians, if anything, proclaims a gospel of unity:

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

Ephesians 6.10-20 uses military imagery to depict how believers are to equip themselves for their roles in effecting God's kingdom:

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God's soldiers arm themselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer. Too much has been made, perhaps, of the spiritual warfare and not enough of the writer's completely turning Roman warfare on its head. The only battle fought with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer is the one of unity against disunity. What prevents achieving total unity is the lack spiritual strength.

Warren Doud describes the armor identified by Ephesians 10-20 as taken from the writer's close relationship to the Roman Praetorian Guard. http://www.realtime.net/~wdoud/topics/armor.html He explains how the writer Paul gained close-hand experience of the dress:

He next explains how the various pieces of equipment are used:

the whole armor of God... (panoplia). The hastati, the princeps, and the triarii all wore the same basic armor.

having your loins girt about ...aorist middle participle of (peridzunumi), "to put around".

The Roman soldier put around his waist a very wide belt which was the holder for a lot of equipment. There was a loop, for example, for the scabbard for the machaira sword. Other loops held ropes and a rations sack. When the legions conquered a city, the soldiers would empty out the ration sack to make room for gold, jewelry, and other loot they picked up.

There were loops on the belt for darts. The belt was tied in several places to stay in place, so that no matter how the soldier moved about, fell down, climbed hills, etc., the belt was always in place with weapons at the ready. There were designs stitched into the belt which designated various campaigns in which the veteran had fought. Instead of campaign medals or ribbons, the soldier would weave into the belt something he had taken during the battle.

with truth... (aleitheia), refers to truth taught accurately. This is the belt of the Christian soldier.

and having on.. "having put on" the breastplate of righteousness.

the breastplate... (thoraka) [Engl. cognate "thorax"]. This was attached to the belt and provided protection for the upper torso, front and back.

the breastplate... (thoraka) [Engl. cognate "thorax"]. This was attached to the belt and provided protection for the upper torso, front and back.

In the ancient world, breastplates were of layers of cloth, sometimes with metal greaves attached. The Greeks introduced a bronze breastplate, with bronze plates covering vital areas or the torso, held together with leather or cloth connections. Some Samaritans noticed that horses' hooves, cattle horns, etc., were made of very hard material, so they began to use horn sewed to cloth to protect from blows.

The Romans had the ideas for armor design which provided light weight combined with ease of movement and protection from blows. The best type was called the qwrac stadiaV (thorax stadias), or "breastplate which stands by itself". This breastplate was attached to the belt by leather thongs passed through rings on the bottom to keep it solidly attached. It was anchored to the belt, and it was above the belt. Note: the belt had to be put on first, then the breastplate.

of righteousness... The righteousness of God is basic protection for the believer. The belt of truth combined with the breastplate of righteousness is the basis for the edification of the Christian.

And your feet shod ..."to bind with sandals". The sandal was the GI boondocker for the Roman army. This is a reference to the foot soldier slogging it out. The infantryman fights with the least glamor and the highest casualties.

While the Greek soldier wore greaves to protect his ankles, the Roman soldier wore a heavy soled sandal which had metal studs on the bottom for good footing on uneven or slippery ground. This shoe was known in Latin as the caligula, so the foot soldier was called caligatus. Officers wore different footgear.

the shield of faith ... (thureos).

The Romans had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. It was quite a bit heavier and clumsier that the smaller Greek circular shield; but there was a series of exercises, a manual of arms, designed to give the soldier flexibility and strength in the use of the shield. Groups of soldier who were besieging a town could form close together and hold their shields over their heads to make a huge testudo, or "turtle", to protect the group from missiles.

the helmet of salvation ... (perikephalaia), literally "something placed around the head", so, in the military, "helmet".

The Romans had the best helmet of the ancient world. Many other nations used helmets of cloth wrappings, animal hides or bones, or hooves, etc. The Roman helmet had chinstrap, visor, and came down to cover the back and sides of the neck. Officers' helmets had a ridge on top on which was mounted plumage or some sort of brush, depending on the rank.

The parts of the Roman helmet were: a lining of leather, softened for comfort and good fit; the helmet itself which was a bronze casque for the soldier, or iron alloy for officers; a metal crest for the plume; and a chinstrap. The highest ranking officers had gold and silver alloy helmets for parade dress.

and the sword of the Spirit ... the macaira (machaira) mentioned before. The word machaira was chosen here, and in Heb. 4:12, by the Holy Spirit during inspiration.

There were many types of swords used in the ancient world:

The romphaia was a broadsword used mostly by the Gauls of Julius Caesar's time. It was used with both hands, was six to eight feet long, sometimes with one edge, sometimes two, and used to hack off limbs and heads. The "barbarian" soldiers made great slicing sweeps with the broadsword, leaving himself open for thrusts of the machaira.

The Persians used the zephos, a thrusting weapon with a point, rounded like a pencil, but with no cutting edge.

In the akinakes sword, the emphasis was on the handle and the ornate decoration. It was actually a dress sword and was not considered a serious combat weapon. The dolon was a sword hidden in a cane or riding crop and used mostly by assassins.

The machaira is described by Vegetius in his Military Instructions to the Romans. "They likewise taught not to cut, but to thrust, with the sword. For the Romans not only made jest of those who fought with the edge of a weapon, but always found them an easy conquest. A stroke with the edge, though made with ever so much force, seldom kills, as the vital parts of the body are defended both by bones and armor. On the contrary, a stab, although it penetrates only a few inches, is usually fatal. Besides, in the attitude of striking [with the broadsword], it is impossible to avoid exposing the right arm and side. On the other hand, the body is covered when a thrust is given, and the enemy receives the point before he sees the sword."

The user of the machaira is always covered, always protected, always on balance, and always ready for defense or attack.

Matthew Henry in his commentary agrees that Paul learned about Roman armor from being under the charge of the praetorian prefect:

    11-13. Put on the whole armor of God. The ancient soldier was not equipped for war until he had put on his armor. Paul was at that time a prisoner, probably living near the prætorian camp in Rome, as he was by the Roman customs under the charge of the prætorian prefect.

      14-16. Stand therefore . . . girt. He next gives the armor that must be worn. The Roman soldier wore a girdle, breast-plate, shoes with iron nails, a helmet to protect his head, and carried a great shield on his left arm which was thrown in front of his body. His weapon was the sword. It was with the sword, not the spear as other nations, that the Romans conquered the world. And these represent parts of the Christian's spiritual armor. About with truth. The girdle kept the armor in [205] place and supported the sword. So truth holds the Christian armor and supports the sword of the Spirit. Breast-plate of righteousness. The breast-plate was over the lungs and heart. If Christ's righteousness is over our hearts they can hardly suffer harm. 15. And your feet shod. Not with shoes, but with the preparation to carry the gospel of peace, to be a messenger of good tidings (Isaiah 52:7). 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith. The Roman oblong shield, four and a half feet long, covered the whole body, and was a protection of itself. So faith, the faith that fully trusts in God and never doubts, is the best of all defenses. It will quench, stop, put out all the doubts, whisperings and evil suggestions of the wicked. Fiery darts. These were missiles hurled by the hand, and very dangerous unless stopped by the shield.

      17. Take the helmet of salvation. The Roman soldier wore on his head a metallic cap to protect it from blows, called a helmet. Isaiah 59:17 says: "He put a helmet of salvation on his head." See also 1 Thess. 5:8. Salvation, the consciousness that we have a Savior "able to save unto the uttermost," gives the Christian soldier courage for the conflict. And the sword of the Spirit. The armor before described is to protect; the sword to assail. It is the Christian soldier who is to wield the sword of the Spirit. That is, the Spirit conquers through him. The word is the word of God. Thus Peter conquered on Pentecost, and Paul in his labors. Thus always and everywhere. The Christian soldier filled with the Spirit must "preach the word." See Heb. 4:12.