The Meaning of Ephesians 6:17 Explained

Ephesians 6:17

KJV: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

YLT: and the helmet of the salvation receive, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the saying of God,

Darby: Have also the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word;

ASV: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  take  the helmet  of salvation,  and  the sword  of the Spirit,  which is  the word  of God: 

What does Ephesians 6:17 Mean?

Study Notes

salvation
.
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

The second main verb in this long sentence ( Ephesians 6:14-20) is "take" or, better, "receive" or "accept" (Gr. dexasthe). In addition to standing firm, having received and having already put on four pieces of armor, we also need to receive and put on two more.
Since Christians are to put this salvation on, the salvation or deliverance in view seems to refer to the present and future deliverance we need when under attack by Satan (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:8). We have already received salvation from condemnation. We receive this present salvation (deliverance) as we receive all salvation, namely, by calling on God and requesting it (cf. Ephesians 1:15-23; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).
This salvation is evidently similar to a helmet because deliverance involves a mental choice, namely, trust in God rather than self, and obedience to Him. Confidence in God becomes our salvation and so protects our thinking when we are under attack.
The sword carried by the Roman infantryman (Gr. machaira) was short and two-edged. Soldiers used it to thrust and cut in hand-to-hand combat. In Paul"s description it is the soldier"s only offensive weapon. Infantrymen usually also carried a long spear, but Paul did not mention that in his analogy. The word of God is similar to this short sword for the Christian. "Word" (Gr. rhema) refers to the utterance of God rather than to the written Word or the living Word of God (Gr. logos). It seems most likely to refer to the words of Scripture that we use to counteract the particular temptation we face. It is the appropriate Scripture spoken or put to use by the Christian in a given instance of temptation that is in view (e.g, Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:6; Matthew 4:10).
"As Jesus used the words of Scripture to repulse the tempter, so must the Christian the words the Spirit has inspired to drive away Satan." [1]
The Holy Spirit both gives the word and empowers it as we use it. It is His sword (cf. Isaiah 49:2).

Context Summary

Ephesians 6:13-24 - "finally, Be Strong In The Lord"
Many would be strong, but fail because they forget that they can be effectively so only "in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." Paul had a very vivid conception of the powerful forces that are arrayed against the Church. He is not dealing here especially with our personal temptations, but with those hosts of wicked spirits that lie behind the evil of the world. It is probable that the vast systems which oppose the gospel-the philosophies, temples, and priests of false religions; the trade in strong drink, impurity, and like evils; and such iniquitous institutions as the system of indentured slavery-are directly promoted and furthered by the agency of evil spirits in arms against God.
We must be pure and holy, if we are to prevail against evil; and especially must we give ourselves to prayer. To prevail in this warfare we must diligently employ the weapon of all prayer. Tychicus carried this letter. He was faithful to the end, Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12. The Epistle closes, as it began, with uncorrupted, that is, pure and eternal, love. Alford says, "This is the only truth worthy to be the crown and climax of this glorious Epistle." [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 6

1  The duty of children toward their parents;
5  of servants toward their masters
10  Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also spiritual enemies
13  The complete armor of a Christian;
18  and how it ought to be used
21  Tychicus is commended

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 6:17

The helmet of salvation [την περικεπαλαιαν του σωτηριου]
Late word (περι κεπαλη — periο εστιν το ρημα του τεου — kephalē head, around the head), in Polybius, lxx, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Ephesians 6:17 alone in N.T. [source]
Which is the word of God [ο]
Explanatory relative The sword given by the Spirit to be wielded as offensive weapon (the others defensive) by the Christian is the word of God. See note on Hebrews 4:12 where the word of God is called “sharper than any two-edged sword.” [source]
Take the helmet of salvation [τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθε]
Compare Isaiah 59:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Take is a different word from that used in Ephesians 6:13, Ephesians 6:16. It is receive as from God. The meaning is the helmet which is salvation. The protection for the head. The helmet was originally of skin, strengthened with bronze or other metal, and surmounted with a figure adorned with a horsehair crest. It was furnished with a visor to protect the face. [source]
Sword of the Spirit [μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος]
See on Revelation 6:4. The word of God serves both for attack and to parry the thrusts of the enemy. Thus Christ used it in His temptation. It is the sword of the Spirit, because the Spirit of God gives it and inspires it. The Spirit's aid is needed for its interpretation. Compare John 14:10; Hebrews 4:12, in which latter passage the image is sacrificial. [source]
Word of God [ῥῆμα θεοῦ]
See on Luke 1:37. See Luke 3:2; Luke 4:4; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 6:5; Hebrews 11:3. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 6:17

Ephesians 6:17 The helmet of salvation [την περικεπαλαιαν του σωτηριου]
Late word (περι κεπαλη — periο εστιν το ρημα του τεου — kephalē head, around the head), in Polybius, lxx, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Ephesians 6:17 alone in N.T. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:8 For a helmet, the hope of salvation [περικεπαλαιαν ελπιδα σωτηριας]
Same figure in Ephesians 6:17 and both like Isaiah 59:17. Late word meaning around (περι — peri) the head (κεπαλη — kephalē) and in Polybius, lxx, and in the papyri. Σωτηριας — Sōtērias is objective genitive. [source]
Titus 2:11 Bringing salvation [σωτηριος]
Old adjective from σωτηρ — sōtēr (Saviour), here alone in N.T. except το σωτηριον — to sōtērion (salvation, “the saving act”) in Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6; Ephesians 6:17. Instructing (παιδευουσα — paideuousa). See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. Ungodliness See note on Romans 1:18. Worldly lusts (τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας — tas kosmikas epithumias). Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs). [source]
Hebrews 6:5 The good word of God [καλὸν θεοῦ ῥῆμα]
The gospel of Christ as preached. Comp. Hebrews 2:3. To the word are attached life (Acts 5:20); spirit and life (John 6:63); salvation (Acts 11:14); cleansing (Ephesians 5:26); especially the impartation of the Spirit (John 3:34; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:44; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 2:4). [source]
Hebrews 4:12 Sharper than any two-edged sword [τομώτερος ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον]
Τομώτερος sharperfrom τέμνειν tocut, N.T.oolxx. The word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bare self-delusions and moral sophisms. For the comparison of the word of God or of men to a sword, see Psalm 57:4; Psalm 59:7; Psalm 64:3; Ephesians 6:17. Philo calls his Logos ὁ τομεύς thecutter, as cutting chaos into distinct things, and so creating a kosmos. Ὑπὲρ thanis literally, above. Πᾶσαν anyis every. Δίσμοτον only here and Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12, lit. two-mouthed. In lxx always of a sword. See Judges 3:16; Psalm 149:6; Proverbs 5:4; Colossians 900); of rivers with two mouths (Polyb. xxxiv. 10,5). Στόμα mouthof the edge of a sword, Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+21:24&sr=1">Luke 21:24; Hebrews 11:34. Often in lxx, as Genesis 34:26; Joshua 10:28, Joshua 10:33, Joshua 10:35, Joshua 10:37, Joshua 10:39; Judges 1:8. So occasionally in Class., as Homer, Il. xv. 389. Κατεσθίειν or κατέσθειν todevour is used of the sword, Deuteronomy 32:42; 2 Samuel 2:26; Isaiah 31:8; Jeremiah 2:30, etc. Μάχαιρα swordin Class. a dirk or dagger: rarely, a carving knife; later, a bent sword or sabre as contrasted with a straight, thrusting sword, ξίφος (not in N.T. but occasionally in lxx). Ῥομφαία , Luke 2:35(see note), elsewhere only in Revelation, very often in lxx, is a large broadsword. In lxx of Goliath's sword, 1 Samuel 17:51 [source]
1 Peter 4:1 Arm yourselves [ὁπλίσασθε]
Only here in New Testament. The thought is Pauline. See Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Colossians 3:12. [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 6:17 mean?

And the helmet - of salvation take sword of the Spirit which is [the] word of God
καὶ τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθε μάχαιραν τοῦ Πνεύματος ἐστιν ῥῆμα Θεοῦ

περικεφαλαίαν  helmet 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: περικεφαλαία  
Sense: a helmet.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σωτηρίου  of  salvation 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σωτήριον 
Sense: saving, bringing salvation.
δέξασθε  take 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δέχομαι  
Sense: to take with the hand.
μάχαιραν  sword 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μάχαιρα  
Sense: a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Πνεύματος  Spirit 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
ῥῆμα  [the]  word 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ῥῆμα  
Sense: that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.