Back to Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:14-20

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.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Ephesians 6:14-20 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

    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.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    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.

    And take the helmet of salvacion and the swearde of the sprete which is the worde of God.

    And praye all wayes with all maner prayer and supplicacion: and that in the sprete: and watch thervnto with all instance and supplicacion for all saynctes

    and for me that vttraunce maye be geve vnto me that I maye open my mouth boldly to vtter the secretes of the gospell

    whereof I am a messenger in bondes that therin I maye speake frely as it becommeth me to speake.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    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,

    And take the helmet of saluation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the worde of God.

    And pray alwayes with all maner prayer and supplication in the Spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseuerance and supplication for al Saints,

    And for me, that vtterance may be giuen vnto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publish the secret of the Gospel,

    Whereof I am the ambassadour in bonds, that therein I may speake boldely, as I ought to speake.

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Cross-references (148)

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (v18) Pray without ceasing.
  • Colossians 4:2 (v18) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
  • Hebrews 4:12 (v17) For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both…
  • Isaiah 59:17 (vv14, 17) 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…
  • Philippians 4:6 (v18) In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Show all 100 cross-references
  • 1 Timothy 2:1 (v18) I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men:
  • Jude 1:20 (v18) But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (vv14, 17) 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.
  • 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.
  • Romans 8:26-27 (v18) In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession…
  • 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.…
  • Revelation 19:15 (v17) Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He…
  • Mark 14:38 (v18) Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  • Isaiah 49:2 (v17) He has made my mouth like a sharp sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. He has made me a polished shaft. He has kept me close…
  • Luke 12:35 (v14) “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
  • Luke 21:36 (v18) 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…
  • Luke 18:1-8 (v18) He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear…
  • 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…
  • Matthew 26:41 (v18) Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 (v14) in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
  • Daniel 9:20 (v18) While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my…
  • Colossians 4:3 (v19) praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
  • Matthew 4:10-11 (v17) Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”…
  • Ephesians 1:16 (v18) don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
  • Revelation 2:16 (v17) Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
  • 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…
  • Hosea 6:5 (v17) Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of…
  • Psalms 6:9 (v18) Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
  • Proverbs 18:10 (v16) Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
  • 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…
  • Revelation 12:11 (v17) They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.
  • Mark 13:33 (v18) Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
  • Luke 22:46 (v18) and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
  • Romans 12:12 (v18) rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
  • Matthew 4:4 (v17) But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”
  • Acts 1:14 (v18) All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with…
  • Acts 4:29 (v19) Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
  • 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…
  • Hebrews 5:7 (v18) He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from…
  • Philippians 1:4 (v18) always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,
  • 1 Kings 8:52 (v18) that your eyes may be open to the supplication of your servant, and to the supplication of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever…
  • Psalms 4:1 (v18) Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 (v20) We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (v19) Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,
  • 2 Timothy 1:3 (v18) I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
  • 1 Peter 4:7 (v18) But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
  • Revelation 1:16 (v17) He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its…
  • Acts 12:5 (v18) Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.
  • Genesis 32:24-28 (v18) Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man…
  • 1 Kings 8:54 (v18) It was so, that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to Yahweh, he arose from before Yahweh’s altar, from…
  • 1 Kings 9:3 (v18) Yahweh said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you…
  • Matthew 15:25-28 (v18) But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (v19) Brothers, pray for us.
  • 1 Kings 8:59 (v18) Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near to Yahweh our God day and night, that he may maintain the…
  • Daniel 6:10 (v18) When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he…
  • 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…
  • Job 27:10 (v18) Will he delight himself in the Almighty, and call on God at all times?
  • Luke 11:5-8 (v18) He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of…
  • Ephesians 5:9 (v14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
  • Ephesians 6:19 (vv18, 20) 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,
  • 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?
  • Isaiah 26:16 (v18) Yahweh, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.
  • Hosea 12:4 (v18) Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with…
  • Zechariah 12:10 (v18) I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom…
  • Matthew 4:7 (v17) Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’ ”
  • Acts 6:4 (v18) But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
  • Acts 10:2 (v18) a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
  • Hebrews 13:18 (v19) Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
  • 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…
  • Philemon 1:5 (v18) hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints,
  • Esther 4:8 (v18) He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it…
  • Acts 4:31 (v19) When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the…
  • Romans 8:15 (v18) For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
  • Colossians 4:4 (v20) that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
  • 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…
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (vv19–20) but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God…
  • 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…
  • 2 Timothy 2:9 (v20) in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
  • Hebrews 12:5-6 (v17) You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor…
  • Acts 28:31 (vv19–20) preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
  • Acts 13:46 (v19) Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it…
  • Acts 19:8 (v19) He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s…
  • 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.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 (v19) But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this…
  • Ephesians 3:8 (v18) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
  • Ephesians 3:18 (v18) may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
  • 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 Corinthians 4:1 (v19) So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries.
  • Ephesians 1:9 (v19) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
  • 1 Samuel 17:5 (v17) He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he wore a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
  • Luke 3:37 (v18) the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
  • Acts 9:27 (v19) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to…
  • Acts 14:3 (v19) Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to…
  • Acts 26:29 (v20) Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am,…
  • 1 Corinthians 1:5 (v19) that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12 (v19) Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (148 total citations).

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

Explain this passage (26 sources)

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

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14. Stand therefore. Now follows a description of the…

14. Stand therefore. Now follows a description of the arms which they were enjoined to wear. We must not, however, inquire very minutely into the meaning of each word; for an allusion to military customs is all that was intended. Nothing can be more idle than the extraordinary pains which some have taken to discover the reason why righteousness is made a breastplate, instead of a girdle. Paul’s design was to touch briefly on the most important points required in a Christian, and to adapt them to the comparison which he had already used.

Truth, which means sincerity of mind, is compared to a girdle. Now, a girdle was, in ancient times, one of the most important parts of military armor. Our attention is thus directed to the fountain of sincerity; for the purity of the gospel ought to remove from our minds all guile, and from our hearts all hypocrisy. Secondly, he recommends righteousness, and desires that it should be a breastplate for protecting the breast. Some imagine that this refers to a freely bestowed righteousness, or the imputation of righteousness, by which pardon of sin is obtained. But such matters ought not, I think, to have been mentioned on the present occasion; for the subject now under discussion is a blameless life. He enjoins us to be adorned, first, with integrity, and next with a devout and holy life.

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 vv15, 18 That the preparation of the Gospel may be as…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand therefore: standing here (in a different sense from…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v19 Our apostle having directed the Ephesians to the duty…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v19 Here, I. He desires their prayers for him, Eph…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand therefore,.... Keep your ground, do not desert the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Having your loins girt about - That ye may…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Verse 14. Stand therefore] Prepare yourselves for combat, having…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv15–19 Eph 6:15. And your feet shod with the preparation…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand therefore - Resist every attack - as a…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Your loins....with truth, both as to doctrine and a…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand--The repetition in Eph 6:11, Eph 6:14, shows that…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14. Stand therefore—For what else should the soldier do?
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14. Stand] See last note. Here, as throughout the…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–20 (14) Your loins girt about with truth, and having…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth.…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv14–20 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v19 Chapter 30
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14–16. Stand therefore … girt. He next gives the…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v18 Eph_6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On vv14–18
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv17, 19 (See Scofield "Rom 1:16").
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 vv14, 17, 19 Stand, therefore
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14–19 6:14-17 Paul uses the physical armor worn by Roman…
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