Ephesians 6:16 kjv
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16 nkjv
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16 niv
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 esv
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:16 nlt
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Ephesians 6 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesians 6:16 | In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all flaming arrows of the evil one. | Primary Verse |
| 1 John 5:4 | For every child of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. | Faith as Victory |
| Romans 12:3 | For by the grace given me I say every one of you: not to think of himself more highly than he ought, but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. | Measure of Faith |
| Hebrews 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. | Necessity of Faith |
| 1 Corinthians 16:13 | Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. | Standing Firm in Faith |
| Galatians 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Faith as Fruit of the Spirit |
| 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 | For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. | Spiritual Warfare & Thought Life |
| 1 Peter 5:8-9 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. | Adversary and Resistance |
| Genesis 15:6 | And he believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. | Faith Counted as Righteousness |
| Romans 4:3 | For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." | Faith and Righteousness |
| Ephesians 2:8 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. | Salvation Through Faith |
| Acts 14:9 | He heard Paul speak. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, | Faith for Healing |
| Philippians 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Peace Guarding the Heart |
| John 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. | Peace from Christ |
| Romans 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. | Hope, Joy, Peace in Believing |
| Ephesians 6:11 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. | The Whole Armor of God |
| Ephesians 6:13 | Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. | Standing Firm |
| Matthew 13:3-8 | And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... | Parable of the Sower (Good Soil) |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:8 | But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. | Breastplate of Faith |
| Hebrews 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning thoughts and intentions of the heart. | Word of God as Weapon |
Ephesians 6 verses
Ephesians 6 16 Meaning
This verse emphasizes the use of faith as a defensive tool against the attacks of the evil one. It describes faith as the shield that can extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy, highlighting its power to protect the believer from spiritual harm.
Ephesians 6 16 Context
Ephesians 6 focuses on spiritual warfare. Paul has been discussing the need for believers to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He introduces the concept of the "armor of God," a metaphor for the spiritual resources God provides to protect believers. Verse 16 is part of this extended metaphor, specifically identifying faith as a crucial defensive piece of armor. The audience, primarily Gentile believers in Ephesus, would have understood the imagery of armor from their Roman cultural context, where soldiers used shields to deflect blows and flaming arrows. The "flaming arrows" can be understood as doubts, lies, temptations, accusations, and other spiritual attacks aimed at destabilizing a believer's walk with God.
Ephesians 6 16 Word Analysis
ἐπιθέντες (epithentes): Aorist active participle fromἐπιτίθημι (epitithemi). "Taking up," "putting on," "placing upon." This signifies an active decision and action to use the shield of faith. It's not passive; it’s a deliberate equipping.
πάντα (panta): "All," "every." Refers to all the flaming arrows, signifying the comprehensive nature of faith's protective capability. No attack is beyond its power to deflect.
τὰ (ta): Definite article, "the." Points to specific arrows, though they are understood as belonging to the evil one.
βέλη (beleh): Accusative plural of βέλος (belos), meaning "dart," "arrow," "shaft." Figuratively, it represents specific attacks of Satan, like lies, doubts, temptations, or accusations.
τοῦ (tou): Genitive masculine singular article, "of the."
πονηροῦ (ponērou): Genitive masculine singular of πονηρός (poneros), meaning "evil," "wicked," "bad." Refers specifically to the devil (Satan) or his active malevolent influence.
Phrase/Group Analysis:
- "the shield of faith": This is a strong metaphor. Faith is not just a passive belief but an active, defensive implement, like a Roman soldier's large, heavy shield (scutum). The "of faith" indicates that faith is the material or the quality that constitutes the shield's protective power. Faith apprehends God's promises and truth, which act as a barrier against the enemy's assaults.
Ephesians 6 16 Bonus Section
The Roman scutum (shield) was typically large, rectangular, and made of wood covered in leather, which could be soaked in water to help extinguish fiery projectiles. This detailed imagery underscores the robust and effective nature of faith when rightly employed. The "flaming arrows" represent the deceptive and fiery onslaughts designed to inflame passions, burn up resolve, or destroy the target. Faith, grounded in God’s truth and promises, is the divinely provided means to quench these attacks, preventing spiritual damage and allowing the believer to stand firm.
Ephesians 6 16 Commentary
Faith in God and His promises serves as our primary defense against the devil's attacks. When confronted with lies, doubts, or accusations, our faith – our confident trust in God's truth and His power – acts as a shield. This shield is capable of nullifying or extinguishing the fiery darts of the evil one. It means that by actively believing God's word and His character, we can render Satan's schemes ineffective. This is an ongoing, active process, requiring us to continually “take up” this shield in our daily spiritual life. It implies a determined reliance on God that repels spiritual assaults, preventing them from penetrating and causing damage to our souls and walk with Christ.
- Practical Usage: When facing fear, remember God's promises about not fearing and claim them through faith. When experiencing guilt, focus on Christ's finished work and God's forgiveness by faith. When attacked by lies, stand firm on the truth of God's Word, believing what He says about you.