The concept of the "whole-armour" of God is a metaphorical framework found in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. This imagery is used to describe the spiritual resources and defenses available to believers in their battle against spiritual forces of evil. The primary passage discussing the whole-armour is Ephesians 6:10-18.

Biblical Context

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul exhorts believers to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10). He instructs them to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). The passage emphasizes the spiritual nature of the Christian's struggle, stating, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Components of the Whole-Armour

1. Belt of Truth: The first piece of armor mentioned is the belt of truth. Paul writes, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (Ephesians 6:14). Truth is foundational for the believer, serving as a stabilizing force that holds other pieces of armor in place.

2. Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate protects the heart and vital organs. Paul continues, "with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed" (Ephesians 6:14). This righteousness is not self-derived but is the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers, guarding their hearts against accusations and guilt.

3. Gospel of Peace: For footwear, Paul advises, "and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). The gospel provides a firm foundation and readiness to advance in spiritual battle, bringing peace to those who embrace it.

4. Shield of Faith: The shield is crucial for defense, "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). Faith in God and His promises acts as a protective barrier against doubt, fear, and temptation.

5. Helmet of Salvation: The helmet protects the mind, "And take the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17). Assurance of salvation guards the believer's thoughts, providing confidence and hope in the midst of spiritual warfare.

6. Sword of the Spirit: The only offensive weapon in the armor is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The Word of God is powerful and effective, used to counter lies and deception, much like Jesus did during His temptation in the wilderness.

Prayer and Vigilance

Paul concludes the passage by emphasizing the importance of prayer, "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the means by which believers maintain communication with God, seeking His guidance and strength in the spiritual battle.

Theological Significance

The whole-armour of God underscores the necessity of divine empowerment and spiritual readiness in the life of a believer. It highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the sufficiency of God's provision for victory. Each piece of armor represents a critical aspect of the Christian faith, encouraging believers to live in truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, all undergirded by prayer.3833. panoplia -- full armor
... full armor. From a compound of pas and hoplon; full armor ("panoply") -- all (whole)
armour. see GREEK pas. see GREEK hoplon. (panoplian) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3833.htm - 7k

The Soldier's Morning-Call
... Put on the whole armour of light.'. ... 'Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,' and do it
day by day, and then you have 'put on the whole armour of God.'. ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the soldiers morning-call.htm

Prayer and vigilance
... as to the malignity and number of the foes, which the disciple of the Lord must
encounter, carefully and plainly urging him to "put on the whole armour of God ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity. Be Strong in the Lord
... Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/twenty-first sunday after trinity be.htm

October 28 Evening
... will flee from you. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/october 28 evening.htm

September 3 Evening
... My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/september 3 evening.htm

The Armour of God
... Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armour of God. St. ... This, and this only, is
the way to true success, to put on the whole armour of God. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xi the armour of god.htm

November the Nineteenth the Armour of God
... Back to the armoury, that we may "put on the whole armour of God." The Lord is
waiting; let us humbly and penitently ask for the missing piece. ...
/.../november the nineteenth the armour.htm

Putting on the Armour
... the headsman's block that ended his life, said: 'I have fought a good fight; I have
finished my course; I have kept the faith.' 'Put on the whole armour of God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/putting on the armour.htm

The Panoply of God
... '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.'"Ephesians 6:13. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the panoply of god.htm

The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... his plume and burgonet, the trappings of his steed, the richness of his scarf, the
splendour of his shield and breastplate, or of his whole armour, which, from ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter ten the adventures of.htm

Whole-armour (1 Occurrence)
Whole-armour. Whole, Whole-armour. Wholehearted . Multi-Version
Concordance Whole-armour (1 Occurrence). Luke 11:22 ...
/w/whole-armour.htm - 6k

Armour (32 Occurrences)
... YLT). Ephesians 6:11 Put on the wholearmour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. (KJV WEY YLT). Ephesians ...
/a/armour.htm - 20k

Wholehearted (8 Occurrences)

/w/wholehearted.htm - 8k

Whole (2785 Occurrences)

/w/whole.htm - 8k

Overpowers (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 11:22 but when the stronger than he, having come upon 'him', may overcome him,
his whole-armour he doth take away in which he had trusted, and his spoils ...
/o/overpowers.htm - 6k

Resist (23 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:13 because of this take ye up the wholearmour of God, that ye may be
able to resist in the day of the evil, and all things having done -- to stand ...
/r/resist.htm - 13k

Devil's (5 Occurrences)
... Devil's (5 Occurrences). Ephesians 6:11 put on the wholearmour of God, for your
being able to stand against the wiles of the devil, (See NIV). ...
/d/devil's.htm - 7k

Distributeth (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:22 but when the stronger than he, having come upon 'him', may overcome him,
his whole-armour he doth take away in which he had trusted, and his spoils ...
/d/distributeth.htm - 7k

What is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to resist the devil, and why will resistance cause the devil to flee? | GotQuestions.org

What are the wiles of the devil in Ephesians 6:11? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus