Starting this journey through Ephesians 6:10-20, there are some themes that seem to leap out of the sentences.
Standing is repeated a lot, with similar themes leading on... stand, withstand, to stand, stand therefore, perseverance...
Thinking on the themes of a Roman soldier (the analogy), I had often previously thought of this as an individual standing alone, but reading it multiple times recently, I get the impression that though that idea of an individual standing may be relevant in some situations, he is talking to a church, and the strength of Rome was in the discipline and organisation of their forces - standing together, working as a team.
As Paul concludes this epistle, he sweeps with broad strokes, not speaking to individual circumstances, but to all Christians, Whether husband, wife, master, servant, children or parent. ...Whole armour, whole armour, done all, above all, quench all, praying always, all perseverance, all supplication, all saints... Speaking to the all-encompassing of the Christian life/walk/fight, the all-encompassing power/strength given to us, in every area of our lives, at all times.
The armour covers from head to foot. Interesting that only one weapon is mentioned on each 'side' - although other weapons are implied for the other side, given our armour.
The items are split into two groups. '...having loins girt, breastplate, feet shod', '...taking up shield, helmet, sword', why? (Question for tomorrow)
There is the general call to abstract analogy, and the specific call to Paul's situation and that of other believers - leading from what we know of God and who we are - our position in God, to application to our lives and the reality of the walk.
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