Bill said:

I was busy with my wife earlier today.

The reason i asked if you had seen the armor of God . Simply. We Christian will often jump to conclusions that words like Truth, and Righteousness are example of faith. And they are, but they are more than words in the Love of God.

Just as Jesus is a Trinity . He is the Word of God, Jesus is spiritual , and Jesus became flesh or physical .

It is the same with the Armour of God. A trinity in God. It is the Word, it is spiritual and physical . It is Jesus.

I wear the armor of God all the time. It is who i am called to be , the Sword of God

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Hello @Bill,

Forgive me, but isn't the word of God the Sword? It is the Sword of the Spirit. It is His sword, and only He can wield it. We are to let it dwell within us richly, so that He can use it both within us and through us.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

complete said:

Hello @Bill,

Forgive me, but isn't the word of God the Sword? It is the Sword of the Spirit. It is His sword, and only He can wield it. We are to let it dwell within us richly, so that He can use it both within us and through us.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Click to expand...

Are you not the Sword of God, if not what have you been doing.

The Sword of God is the Fire that comes from the mouths of the Witnesses.

And in your own way, God is using you as a sword of God. Shouldnt all Christians be speaking the Word?

Bill said:

Are you not the Sword of God, if not what have you been doing.

The Sword of God is the Fire that comes from the mouths of the Witnesses.

And in your own way, God is using you as a sword of God. Shouldnt all Christians be speaking the Word?

Click to expand...

Hello @Bill,

No, I am not the Sword of God, for that is the word of God itself. I endeavour to have the word of God dwelling in me richly, for Him to use as He sees need: but it is He who gives the opportunity for witness and supplies the words.

It is all His work. Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

complete said:

Hello @Bill,

No, I am not the Sword of God, for that is the word of God itself. I endeavour to have the word of God dwelling in me richly, for Him to use as He sees need: but it is He who gives the opportunity for witness and supplies the words.

It is all His work. Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Click to expand...

The Sword of God is a few things at the same time.

In the begining was the Word.

All was created in the Word.

We are created by the Word and we choose to follow the Word.

The Word, who is Jesus , becomes us. Something hard to understand.

We become one with the Word .

Does this help you.

We live in the Lord as the Lord lives in us .

If you are not being the Sword, if the Word is not flowing through you, then you are not in the Lord Jesus.

complete said:

Hello @Bill,

No, I am not the Sword of God, for that is the word of God itself. I endeavour to have the word of God dwelling in me richly, for Him to use as He sees need: but it is He who gives the opportunity for witness and supplies the words.

It is all His work. Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Click to expand...

The Word of God can not be contained, as it is the Living Word.

If you are only " retaining " the Word as you say, then you are not a Christian. A Christian is one who is like a beacon for all to see

The Word of God is a fire that burns in me. It can not be contained.

complete said:

Hello @Bill,

Forgive me, but isn't the word of God the Sword? It is the Sword of the Spirit. It is His sword, and only He can wield it. We are to let it dwell within us richly, so that He can use it both within us and through us.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Click to expand...

Looking at Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

I was studying Ephesians 6:10-20 recently, I will share it if I may.

Three words stand out on the scriptures they are, STAND.

We are instructed to STAND! Why what are we to STAND for?

Firstly we are to STAND up for Jesus, that is STAND up for 'The Word'

Secondly we are to STAND because if we didn't we couldn't put the armour on correctly.

A good soldier STANDS proud in his armour.

Next we look at the armour, six are mentioned but we only put on four. The belt, the breast plate, the shoes and the helmet. Although we are told to put on the whole armour of God, the last two items are not put on but are taken up, the shield and the sword.

First we stand, then Put on the whole armour of God

1 - we 'put on' the BELT of Truth which is wrapped around our waste and is buckles tight and girts our loins v14
2 - next we 'put on' the BREASTPLATE of Righteousness v14
3 - next your feet are shod we 'put on' suitable FOOTWEAR/SHOES they are shod for us in Preparation to go out and share the Gospel of Peace v15
4 - we then 'take up' the SHIELD of faith. This is the most mobile of all the armour with the exception of the sword. v16
5 - then we 'put on' the HELMET of salvation v17
6 - next we 'take up' the SWORD of the Spirit, this is the WORD of GOD v17

We have to be prepared with the Gospel, we have to take it in and digest it, before we can put on the footwear and armour and go out to share it.

When we do go out and share the Gospel, we have to be protected with the whole armour of God, not part but all of it, and we have to pray first and pray continually in the Spirit 18

We have to be on our guard, the enemy of souls will attack, we have to keep watch with all perseverance for ourselves and all the Saints v18

The scriptures

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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.

14 STAND therefore, having your LOINS GIRT about with TRUTH, and having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS;
15 And your FEET SHOD with the PREPARATION of the GOSPEL of PEACE;
16 Above all, taking the SHIELD of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD:

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

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Blessings

Brother-Paul said:

I was studying Ephesians 6:10-20 recently, I will share it if I may.

Three words stand out on the scriptures they are, STAND.

We are instructed to STAND! Why what are we to STAND for?

Firstly we are to STAND up for Jesus, that is STAND up for 'The Word'

Secondly we are to STAND because if we didn't we couldn't put the armour on correctly.

A good soldier STANDS proud in his armour.

Next we look at the armour, six are mentioned but we only put on four. The belt, the breast plate, the shoes and the helmet. Although we are told to put on the whole armour of God, the last two items are not put on but are taken up, the shield and the sword.

First we stand, then Put on the whole armour of God

1 - we 'put on' the BELT of Truth which is wrapped around our waste and is buckles tight and girts our loins v14
2 - next we 'put on' the BREASTPLATE of Righteousness v14
3 - next your feet are shod we 'put on' suitable FOOTWEAR/SHOES they are shod for us in Preparation to go out and share the Gospel of Peace v15
4 - we then 'take up' the SHIELD of faith. This is the most mobile of all the armour with the exception of the sword. v16
5 - then we 'put on' the HELMET of salvation v17
6 - next we 'take up' the SWORD of the Spirit, this is the WORD of GOD v17

We have to be prepared with the Gospel, we have to take it in and digest it, before we can put on the footwear and armour and go out to share it.

When we do go out and share the Gospel, we have to be protected with the whole armour of God, not part but all of it, and we have to pray first and pray continually in the Spirit 18

We have to be on our guard, the enemy of souls will attack, we have to keep watch with all perseverance for ourselves and all the Saints v18

The scriptures

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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.

14 STAND therefore, having your LOINS GIRT about with TRUTH, and having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS;
15 And your FEET SHOD with the PREPARATION of the GOSPEL of PEACE;
16 Above all, taking the SHIELD of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD:

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

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Blessings

Click to expand...

That was really beautifully stated

Brother-Paul said:

I was studying Ephesians 6:10-20 recently, I will share it if I may.

Three words stand out on the scriptures they are, STAND.

We are instructed to STAND! Why what are we to STAND for?

Firstly we are to STAND up for Jesus, that is STAND up for 'The Word'

Secondly we are to STAND because if we didn't we couldn't put the armour on correctly.

A good soldier STANDS proud in his armour.

Next we look at the armour, six are mentioned but we only put on four. The belt, the breast plate, the shoes and the helmet. Although we are told to put on the whole armour of God, the last two items are not put on but are taken up, the shield and the sword.

First we stand, then Put on the whole armour of God

1 - we 'put on' the BELT of Truth which is wrapped around our waste and is buckles tight and girts our loins v14
2 - next we 'put on' the BREASTPLATE of Righteousness v14
3 - next your feet are shod we 'put on' suitable FOOTWEAR/SHOES they are shod for us in Preparation to go out and share the Gospel of Peace v15
4 - we then 'take up' the SHIELD of faith. This is the most mobile of all the armour with the exception of the sword. v16
5 - then we 'put on' the HELMET of salvation v17
6 - next we 'take up' the SWORD of the Spirit, this is the WORD of GOD v17

We have to be prepared with the Gospel, we have to take it in and digest it, before we can put on the footwear and armour and go out to share it.

When we do go out and share the Gospel, we have to be protected with the whole armour of God, not part but all of it, and we have to pray first and pray continually in the Spirit 18

We have to be on our guard, the enemy of souls will attack, we have to keep watch with all perseverance for ourselves and all the Saints v18

The scriptures

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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.

14 STAND therefore, having your LOINS GIRT about with TRUTH, and having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS;
15 And your FEET SHOD with the PREPARATION of the GOSPEL of PEACE;
16 Above all, taking the SHIELD of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD:

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

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Blessings

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Hello @Brother-Paul,

Thank you for quoting the whole of Ephesians 6:10-20.

(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
(11) Put on the whole armour of God,
......... that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(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.
(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.
(14) Stand therefore,
......... having your loins girt about with truth,
......... and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
(15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(16) Above all, taking the shield of faith,
......... wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(17) And take the helmet of salvation,
......... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
......... and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me,
......... that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

* Though I prefer it as it stands, without any embellishment, or commentary.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Bill said:

That was really beautifully stated

Click to expand...

Thank you

It is good to share and encourage one another in The Word

Shalom

Sue D. said:

Looking at Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

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Hi @Sue D,

Thank you, yes, the word of God is 'the sword of the Spirit'. The Holy Spirit uses it:-

'For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'
(Heb 4:12)

- The word of God was 'given' to John the Baptist to preach - Luke 3:2
- The Lord Jesus Christ spoke the word of God - Luke 5:1
- The word of God can be made of none-effect by the preaching of tradition - Mark 7:13
- In the parable of 'The Sower' the seed is the word of God - Luke 8:11
- The Lord Jesus claims kinship with those who not only 'hear' the word of God but 'do' it - Luke 8:21
- Those that 'hear' the word of God and 'keep' it the Lord called 'blessed' - (Luke 11:28)

* This is just what could be learned from the opening references to the words, 'the word of God' in the concordance, and looking at each reference in context. The rest of the references are equally fruitful and worthy of study.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Brother-Paul said:

Thank you

It is good to share and encourage one another in The Word

Shalom

Click to expand...

I know our brothers and sisters often focus on exact words . But only to where it suits .

Let us look at the description of Jesus. " i am the vine " , " i am the vine dresser " " i am the fruit of the vine " , just examples . Jesus is all of these, yet Jesus describes us as the vine as well.

Jesus tells us to recieve Him, and to let the Word be like a fire in us. To stoke that fire into a flame for all to see.

Being Christian is not only having Christ in us. But being open to Christ flowing through us.

The Sword of God is the movement of the Holy Spirit through us to others. It is Jesus working through us.

The Sword of God. The two edge sword, as one mentioned. Can be protection or offensive.

In some places of Scripture it is in referance of 1 person. But in my definition i am in referance to the Church , all of us

Aren't we sort of getting away from the context of 'put on the armor of God' as in Ephesians 6. We are to be putting on various things -- And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The Word of God being part of us. Shielding/ protecting us?!

Brother-Paul said:

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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.

14 STAND therefore, having your LOINS GIRT about with TRUTH, and having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS;
15 And your FEET SHOD with the PREPARATION of the GOSPEL of PEACE;
16 Above all, taking the SHIELD of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD:

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

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Click to expand...

The whole armour of God, as Paul puts it is for when we go out and share The Word with unsaved souls, when we share the Word of God with unbelievers, but it is good practice to put on daily, the whole armour of God, to protect us at all times from the enemy of souls.

We are sharing the Word of God in the Spirit with unbelievers, all of the items mentioned, that we are to put on, are spiritual; from prayer, preparation, putting on the armour and sharing The Word. We share The Word in the Spirit, not in the flesh, and we are to be spiritually prepared.

With all prayer and supplication, in the Spirit, v18, we take the, Gospel of Peace, the Good News of Salvation to the lost souls as we feel led, first the main parts of our body is protected, the Helmet is our Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which we are to share with the lost soul.
As Chris kindly added...

'For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'
(Heb 4:12)

But there is one piece of armour, that is 'above all', it is the Shield of Faith,v16. It is our Faith, when we share the Good News, we truly believe the Spirit will penetrate the unbelievers heart of stone, and that He will lay the seeds in the Word in fertile soil in their heart. The shield of Faith also protects us from the fiery darts of the evil one that could come at us from any direction, from the soul, or souls, we are sharing Jesus with. Hence the words to keep watch, not just for ourselves but for all Saints.

v18 - watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

None of the items are for us in battle, they are to protect us from evil, they are to allow The Word of God, we share in Faith, and that the Power of the Holy Spirit, is able through us, to penetrate the hardened heart of the lost soul. The Good News of Peace and Salvation is quickened with the Power of the Holy Spirit, like a double edged sword, to penetrate the heart, because He, the Holy Spirit, is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Blessings

Bill said:

I know our brothers and sisters often focus on exact words . But only to where it suits .

Let us look at the description of Jesus. " i am the vine " , " i am the vine dresser " " i am the fruit of the vine " , just examples . Jesus is all of these, yet Jesus describes us as the vine as well.

Jesus tells us to recieve Him, and to let the Word be like a fire in us. To stoke that fire into a flame for all to see.

Being Christian is not only having Christ in us. But being open to Christ flowing through us.

The Sword of God is the movement of the Holy Spirit through us to others. It is Jesus working through us.

The Sword of God. The two edge sword, as one mentioned. Can be protection or offensive.

In some places of Scripture it is in referance of 1 person. But in my definition i am in referance to the Church , all of us

Click to expand...

When reading scripture, as we know, it is important to read the whole passage, not bits and pieces, else we read out of context. But, there are times when single words have to be fully understood, hence the study of the original word, this further helps reading in context the whole passage and our understanding of it.

Translations can be a menace, they can be misleading at times, even reading several translations, as many of us do, we can still miss the true meaning of the word in the original language.

John 15 is one of my favourite pieces of scripture Bill, the root, also called a lump is referring to the Father of which all goodness comes; the vine is our Lord who is fed the goodness from the Father, we are the branches as Jesus wonderfully describes, allowing the good of the Father, the root of our faith, to run through the vine, our Lord and Saviour, and then to all born again, washed and spiritually regenerated souls, it is like a blood transfusion from the Father through the Son. But we do not get the sap and goodness to make us feel better, no, no, it is so we can share the Good News of the Gospel unto salvation with others, that they too can be grafted into the vine through faith in Jesus, it is given to us so that we bare fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Praise the Lord, what a Blessing that is my friend, the Goodness of the Father, through Jesus, to each of us who is not worthy even to tie or untie his sandals.

Bless you.

Brother-Paul said:

When reading scripture, as we know, it is important to read the whole passage, not bits and pieces, else we read out of context. But, there are times when single words have to be fully understood, hence the study of the original word, this further helps reading in context the whole passage and our understanding of it.

Translations can be a menace, they can be misleading at times, even reading several translations, as many of us do, we can still miss the true meaning of the word in the original language.

John 15 is one of my favourite pieces of scripture Bill, the root, also called a lump is referring to the Father of which all goodness comes; the vine is our Lord who is fed the goodness from the Father, we are the branches as Jesus wonderfully describes, allowing the good of the Father, the root of our faith, to run through the vine, our Lord and Saviour, and then to all born again, washed and spiritually regenerated souls, it is like a blood transfusion from the Father through the Son. But we do not get the sap and goodness to make us feel better, no, no, it is so we can share the Good News of the Gospel unto salvation with others, that they too can be grafted into the vine through faith in Jesus, it is given to us so that we bare fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Praise the Lord, what a Blessing that is my friend, the Goodness of the Father, through Jesus, to each of us who is not worthy even to tie or untie his sandals.

Bless you.

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Excellent Brother Paul, Excellent.

I remember having a very long discussion with some Jehovah's Witnesses , who kept returning to my residence for months. The last time i had five elders come over, the conversation always went in circles, it seemed, as i always stressed God's love. To witch they were so practical in thinking, and in those days never accepted the Divinity of Jesus. ( tthier chuches philosiphy keeps changing )

When i finally asked them about the translation error of Hebrew to English, as they themselves brought it up.

Where God speaks to Moses and says " I am who am " . This is the english version. But it isnt what it says.

There are no English words for it. Our grammer wont allow it.

The litteral translation is " I's am Whom am " you see it is a singular plural noun

Sue D. said:

Aren't we sort of getting away from the context of 'put on the armor of God' as in Ephesians 6. We are to be putting on various things -- And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The Word of God being part of us. Shielding/ protecting us?!

Click to expand...

Years ago, after the Lord called me to the task i am on, He would call me the Sword of God.

In my spiritual work, i was given armor to wear. I was also given the Sword of the Apostles and the Shield of the Holy Spirit..

I have been in more spiritual battles fighting along side Angles than i can count. This has been going on over 40 years.

Why God chose me. I asked Him once, He said only i believe as i do.

The Holy Spirit comes to us with the work to do, Sometimes it is something simple and other times very complex taking a few weeks to complete.

This is why i stated, the Armor of God is more than just words. The Armor is Jesus with us

Chad said:

Sword of the Spirit: The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. This includes God's written Word (the Bible), God's incarnate Word (Jesus as Logos), and God's spoken Word (the Holy Spirit within us).

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Well there... Hi to all.

It's my first post here, and I'm about to post something that might just freak everybody out on this website, but please bear with me... while my post is meant to edify it will take some thinking (if not study) on your part. In other words, don't dismiss this post out of hand, and yes, I quite understand the scope of its implications.

I wish to say first, though, that I've read all four pages of this pinned thread, and I've listed a few quotes at the bottom in order to trigger notices for those whom I thought might be interested in digging a bit deeper into the text of Ephesians 6, rather than to start any conflict. I should also mention that I've been reading the New Testament texts in their initial language (Koine Greek) for well over 4 decades. And therein lies the Rub...

THE SWORD IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD.

... and this can be seen quite plainly when one reads the Greek text - και την περικεφαλαιαν του σωτηριου δεξασθε και την μαχαιραν του πνευματος ο εστιν ρημα θεου

Give me a moment to explain. It's not all that hard.

Brother-Paul said:

Translations can be a menace, they can be misleading at times, even reading several translations, as many of us do, we can still miss the true meaning of the word in the original language.

Click to expand...

Brother-Paul, you just don't know how true that is. And as hard as it is to fathom, there is not one single English translation I have read that has correctly translated Ephesians 6:17, 18 into modern colloquial English (and I have read most all that are out there).

Why? Every English translation that I have read, introduces what is known as a "Squinting Modifier" that is NOT present in the Greek text. But first, let's look at the KJV -


We have what is known as a modifying clause, the phrase - "which is the word of God." As a adjectival clause, it modifies a noun. But we have two nouns - Sword, and Spirit. So which noun is being modified? Is the Sword the word of God? Or is the Spirit the word of God?

In ye merry ole Oxford English of 400 years ago, one would have been taught that the modifying clause in a sentence attaches to the closest noun. So technically, these English translations are accurate, but only "technically." Anyone can see, then, that the closest noun to the modifying clause "which is the word of God" is the noun "Spirit," not "Sword." So the sword is not the "word of God." But sometime over these last four hundred years, along with a dearth of any adequate education in the King's English, we arrive at the astonishing conclusion that "American-ish" (what I called "modern colloquial English") has morphed into adopting a common practice wherein the possessive is dropped prior to attributing the modifier, and hence, EVERY pastor (therefore every sermon), and EVERY Christian I have ever met, reads the text of Ephesians 6:17 this way... "And take ... the sword (...), which is the word of God:" concluding that the Sword is the Word of God. But it isn't.

How can I be so sure ??

As mentioned, in Greek one can easily see that the SPIRIT is the word of God, and it has to do with Gender Matching. As in Modern Spanish, Koine Greek nouns have gender (male, female, & neuter). In addition, modifying clauses in Koine Greek must match the gender of the noun being modified. In Greek, μάχαιρα (sword - G3162) is feminine, while πνεῦμα (spirit - G4151) is neuter. Why does this matter? Because the word "which" is neuter in gender to match the noun "Spirit," not feminine to match the noun "Sword." God knows what they teach in seminary these days, but the sword is not the word of God, and never was. There's not even a question about it. To any second year Greek student, the modifying clause "which is the word of God" automatically attaches to the noun Spirit (πνεῦμα - G4151) because of gender matching.

THE SPIRIT IS THE WORD OF GOD.

Does this even matter ?? YEESSS... Yes it does. As many have pointed out, the sword is the only offensive weapon. Now how could one fight a battle if he or she has absolutely no clue what "sword" means, thinking it instead to mean "Bible"? "Pick up your sword !!" I heard one pastor preach, waving around his Bible. His church is failing.

I submit that if you believe something that isn't true, then what is True can't help you. One will suffer the consequences if one believes the wrong thing. Christians go charging into battle waving a book, which is NOT "the sword" in Ephesians chapter six, and wonder why they're being soundly trounced.

So then, what IS the sword?

(Well thank you kindly for asking... )

The sword is defined in verse 18, since the text in verse 17 doesn't actually stop. It was a Very poor place to put a period and a verse number. So let's read my interlinear... (or get your own for that matter, as it will say the same thing).

Eph 6:17, 18 - και (AND) την (THE) περικεφαλαιαν (HELMET) του (OF) σωτηριου (SALVATION) δεξασθε (TAKE !!!) και (AND = along with) την (THE) μαχαιραν (SWORD) του (OF THE) πνευματος (SPIRIT) ο (WHICH SPIRIT) εστιν (IS) ρημα (the RHEMA-WORD) θεου (OF GOD) δια (BY MEANS OF) πασης (ALL) προσευχης (PRAYER). - - - - That's what is literally written. --- TAKE THE SWORD BY MEANS OF ALL PRAYER.

PRAYER IS THE SWORD.

Now obviously one doesn't pick up a sword by the blade, or you'd cut your dang fool fingers off. Rather, one takes a sword by the pommel. If nothing else, then, you now know HOW to put on (wield) the sword. Take the sword by means of all prayer.

Witnessing is not our weapon in this metaphor.
Preaching is not our weapon in this metaphor.
Bible reading is not our weapon in this metaphor.
What IS our weapon? It's the Sword.
And the Sword, (the only weapon in this metaphor), is prayer.

If the general says, "TAKE THAT HILL !!" You'd better use your swords - you'd better be praying.
If the general says, "GUARD THAT FORT !!" You'd better use your swords - you'd better be praying.

Prayer is the only way that Christians can achieve.... ANYTHING.

I have raised the dead through PRAYER.
I have healed the sick through PRAYER.
I have saved souls through PRAYER.
I have stopped car crashes by means of PRAYER.
(And sometimes you've gotta pray lightning fast...)

And in any crisis, I would rather have the SWORD of PRAYER (TM) in my hands than anything else of the Armour.

God's Blessings to all,
Rhema

PS: A long time ago I was talking with a close Evangelical Christian friend who heard me teach this and he started to give praise and thanks to God that while not completely understanding these verses, he had been doing it - praying to Jesus about everything. It wasn't a boast, he was just relieved and glad that he was finally doing something right... that prayer was the KEY, praying always to Jesus. And while I didn't mean to be cruel, I stuck my foot in it and told him I was a bit puzzled in that Jesus instructed us to pray to the Father, and not to Jesus. YES, it was that unmistakable sound of awkward silence that followed, and we politely changed topics and my friend never mentioned it again. Until one year later. While visiting, he turned to me and said, "Remember when you......?" "YES, I'm SO sorry, I wasn't trying to rebuke you." But he quietly interrupted me to say that he changed the way he was praying that very same day, vowing to do so for a year. He stopped praying to Jesus and started praying to the Father, and being the engineer that he was, gave me the astonishing report that instead of ten percent of his prayers typically being answered, it was now nearly 95 percent. And he wanted to thank me for that.

PPS: It takes practice to learn how to wield a sword correctly. So go practice, brothers and sisters.

complete said:

* The sword of the spirit, is the Spirit's sword, and only He can wield it on our behalf.

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Trevor said:

But don't forget the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God because the armour is to protect us, whereas the Sword is an offensive weaopen.

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complete said:

Forgive me, but isn't the word of God the Sword?

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Brother-Paul said:

6 - next we 'take up' the SWORD of the Spirit, this is the WORD of GOD v17

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Bill said:

The Sword of God is the movement of the Holy Spirit through us to others. It is Jesus working through us.

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Rhema said:

I have raised the dead through PRAYER.
I have healed the sick through PRAYER.
I have saved souls through PRAYER.
I have stopped car crashes by means of PRAYER.
(And sometimes you've gotta pray lightning fast...)

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You, @Rhema, have raised the dead and saved souls? Really? Who and when? I believe in the power of prayer, but only God resurrects the dead and only God saves souls.