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Ephesians 6:11-16

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Ephesians 6:11-16 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

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

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

    Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

    Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

    and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

    above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    Put on the armour of God that ye maye stonde stedfast agaynst the crafty assautes of the devyll.

    For we wrestle not agaynst flesshe and bloud: but agaynst rule agaynst power and agaynst worldy rulars of the darckenes of this worlde agaynst spretuall wickednes for hevenly thinges.

    For this cause take vnto you the armoure of God that ye maye be able to resist in the evyll daye and to stonde perfect in all thinges.

    Stonde therfore and youre loynes gyrd aboute with veritie havinge on the brest plate of rightewesnes

    and shood with showes prepared by the gospell of peace.

    Above all take to you the shelde of fayth wherwith ye maye quenche all the fyrie dartes of the wicked.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

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

    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly gouernours, the princes of the darkenesse of this worlde, against spirituall wickednesses, which are in ye hie places.

    For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the euill day, and hauing finished all things, stand fast.

    Stand therefore, and your loynes girded about with veritie, and hauing on the brest plate of righteousnesse,

    And your feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

    Aboue all, take the shielde of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fierie dartes of the wicked,

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Cross-references (89)

  • Colossians 1:13 (v12) who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love,
  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 (vv11, 13) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
  • 2 Corinthians 4:4 (vv11–12) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the…
  • Ephesians 2:2 (v12) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works…
  • Colossians 2:15 (v12) Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Show all 85 cross-references
  • Romans 13:12 (v11) The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
  • Acts 26:18 (v12) to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins…
  • Ephesians 6:13 (v11) Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
  • Isaiah 59:17 (v14) He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (vv11, 14) But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
  • Ephesians 1:21 (v12) far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.
  • 1 Peter 5:8 (v11) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  • Romans 8:38 (v12) For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
  • 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (v12) Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an…
  • Isaiah 52:7 (v15) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims…
  • Isaiah 11:5 (v14) Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
  • Ephesians 3:10 (v12) to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the…
  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 (v11) that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
  • Ephesians 1:3 (v12) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
  • Romans 10:15 (v15) And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace,…
  • 1 Peter 5:8-9 (v16) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.…
  • Luke 21:36 (v13) Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before…
  • 1 Corinthians 15:50 (v12) Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom; neither does the perishable inherit imperishable.
  • Ephesians 6:11-17 (v13) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and…
  • 1 Peter 3:22 (v12) who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
  • Ephesians 4:14 (v11) that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in…
  • Luke 12:35 (v14) “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
  • John 14:30 (v12) I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
  • 1 John 5:4-5 (v16) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. Who is he who overcomes the…
  • Romans 13:14 (v11) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
  • Colossians 3:10 (v11) and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
  • Ephesians 5:16 (v13) redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
  • Hebrews 12:1 (v12) Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily…
  • John 12:31 (v12) Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (v11) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an…
  • John 16:11 (v12) about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 (v11) even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness…
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 (vv11, 14) in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
  • Job 2:2 (v12) Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from…
  • 2 Corinthians 11:3 (v11) But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is…
  • Luke 22:53 (v12) When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
  • 1 Peter 1:13 (v14) Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
  • Proverbs 18:10 (v16) Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
  • Matthew 16:17 (v12) Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
  • Luke 13:24 (v12) “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.
  • Ephesians 4:24 (v11) and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
  • 2 Timothy 2:5 (v12) Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
  • Revelation 2:24 (v11) But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of…
  • Psalms 56:3-4 (v16) When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to…
  • Hebrews 7:25 (v11) Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make…
  • Revelation 20:2-3 (v11) He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand…
  • Genesis 15:1 (v16) After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great…
  • Revelation 3:10 (v13) Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who…
  • Luke 8:13 (v13) Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away…
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 (v11) No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able,…
  • Colossians 4:12 (v13) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and…
  • Jude 1:24 (v11) Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
  • Malachi 3:2 (v13) “But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap;
  • Hebrews 12:4 (v12) You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.
  • 2 Peter 2:1-3 (v11) But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,…
  • Ecclesiastes 12:1 (v13) Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no…
  • Ephesians 5:6 (v13) Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
  • Mark 13:22 (v11) For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the…
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (v15) But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that…
  • Revelation 13:11-15 (v11) I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of…
  • Galatians 1:16 (v12) to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
  • Ephesians 5:9 (v14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
  • Revelation 6:17 (v13) for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?”
  • Revelation 12:9 (v11) The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown…
  • Psalms 56:10-11 (v16) In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (v16) Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which…
  • Revelation 20:7-8 (v11) And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four…
  • Revelation 19:20 (v11) The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the…
  • Hebrews 11:24-34 (v16) By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill treatment with…
  • Amos 6:3 (v13) Those who put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
  • Habakkuk 3:19 (v15) Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. For the music director, on my…
  • Luke 14:29-31 (v11) Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to…
  • 2 Corinthians 1:24 (v16) We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
  • Hebrews 6:17-18 (v16) In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an…
  • Revelation 9:9 (v14) They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war.
  • Revelation 9:17 (v14) Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (v16) Don’t quench the Spirit.
  • Song of Solomon 7:1 (v15) How beautiful are your feet in sandals, prince’s daughter! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman.
  • Luke 15:22 (v15) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.
  • Psalms 120:4 (v16) Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

85 distinct cross-references across this passage (89 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv11–16 11. Put on the whole armor. God has furnished…

11. Put on the whole armor. God has furnished us with various defensive weapons, provided we do not indolently refuse what is offered. But we are almost all chargeable with carelessness and hesitation in using the offered grace; just as if a soldier, about to meet the enemy, should take his helmet, and neglect his shield. To correct this security, or, we should rather say, this indolence, Paul borrows a comparison from the military art, and bids us put on the whole armor of God. We ought to be prepared on all sides, so as to want nothing. The Lord offers to us arms for repelling every kind of attack. It remains for us to apply them to use, and not leave them hanging on the wall. To quicken our vigilance, he reminds us that we must not only engage in open warfare, but that we have a crafty and insidious foe to encounter, who frequently lies in ambush; for such is the import of the apostle’s phrase, THE WILES (τὰς μεθοδείας) of the devil

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15 Secondly he declareth that our chiefest and mightiest enemies…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv11–16 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Put on the whole armour; get yourselves furnished with…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv12–13 The apostle mentioned our enemy in the former verse;…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Put on the whole armour of God,.... Not that…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Put on the whole armour of God - The…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Verse 11. Put on the whole armour of God]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15, 16 Eph 6:12. For we wrestle not — Greek, ουκ…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Put on the whole armor of God - The…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15, 16 Flesh and blood, which may either signify temptations of…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv11–16 the whole armour--the armor of light (Rom 13:12); on…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv11–16 11. Whole armour—Our word panoply is the same with…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–16 11. Put on] For the word, cp. Rom_13:12; Rom_13:14…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–16 (11) Put on the whole armour.—The special emphasis in…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 14, 15, 16 Put on the entire amour of God. Chained to…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv11–16 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v13 Chapter 29
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv11–16 11–13. Put on the whole armor of God. The…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v13 Eph_6:13. In the evil day.—Compare Eph_5:16. A day of…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On vv13–16
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v14 The individual pieces of the armor and their use:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv12, 14 flesh and blood
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11–16 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor: See Rom…
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