Ephesians 6:17 kjv
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17 nkjv
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:17 niv
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 esv
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:17 nlt
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesians 6:14 | "Stand firm therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth..." | Eph 6:14 (Truth as foundational) |
| Isaiah 59:17 | "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and on his head the helmet of salvation." | Isa 59:17 (Fulfillment of OT prophecy) |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:8 | "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and the helmet of hope." | 1 Th 5:8 (Hope as the helmet) |
| Romans 12:2 | "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." | Rom 12:2 (Renewing the mind) |
| Philippians 4:7 | "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." | Phil 4:7 (Peace guarding the mind) |
| 2 Corinthians 10:5 | "...taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." | 2 Cor 10:5 (Capturing thoughts) |
| 1 Peter 1:13 | "Therefore, with minds that are alert, you must be self-controlled..." | 1 Pet 1:13 (Alert and self-controlled) |
| 1 Peter 5:8-9 | "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion." | 1 Pet 5:8-9 (Spiritual alertness) |
| Hebrews 4:12 | "For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | Heb 4:12 (The power of God's word) |
| Romans 8:28 | "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." | Rom 8:28 (God's sovereign working) |
| Psalm 140:7 | "O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle..." | Ps 140:7 (God as shield and deliverer) |
| Joshua 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." | Josh 1:9 (Courage through God's presence) |
| Genesis 3:15 | "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." | Gen 3:15 (Protoevangelium - seed of salvation) |
| Romans 6:22 | "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you bear leads to holiness, and its end, eternal life." | Rom 6:22 (Result of salvation) |
| Colossians 1:13-14 | "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." | Col 1:13-14 (Rescue from darkness) |
| John 10:28-29 | "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, nor will anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." | John 10:28-29 (Eternal security) |
| 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 | "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." | 2 Cor 4:8-9 (Endurance through God's power) |
| Ephesians 1:13 | "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," | Eph 1:13 (Sealed by the Spirit) |
| Psalm 18:2 | "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." | Ps 18:2 (God as salvation's horn) |
| Romans 15:13 | "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." | Rom 15:13 (Hope filling the believer) |
Ephesians 6 verses
Ephesians 6 17 Meaning
The "helmet of salvation" is a metaphor representing the believer's protected mind, secured by their salvation in Christ. It signifies the assurance and certainty of God's saving work, shielding the thoughts and mind from doubt, despair, and deception. It emphasizes that salvation is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that influences one's thinking and mental fortitude in spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6 17 Context
Ephesians 6 describes the "whole armor of God" as essential equipment for spiritual warfare. This imagery builds on Old Testament descriptions of warriors and God's protective presence. The previous verses detail other pieces of the armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the sandals of the gospel of peace. This specific piece, the helmet of salvation, protects the most vulnerable part of the warrior – the head, symbolizing the mind. In the context of the Roman world, soldiers' helmets were vital for survival, deflecting blows that could be fatal. Believers face invisible enemies, primarily spiritual forces of evil, and their minds are the primary battleground.
Ephesians 6 17 Word Analysis
- Perikesphalaion (περικεφαλαίον): This is the Greek word for helmet. It denotes a defensive covering for the head. The "peri-" prefix means "around," and "kephale" means "head."
- Soteria (σωτηρίας): This is the Greek word for salvation. It encompasses deliverance, safety, preservation, and wholeness.
- Helmet of salvation: Combining these, the phrase signifies the protection of the head (mind) by the secure assurance and completed work of salvation in Christ.
Word Group Analysis
- "the helmet of salvation": This phrase synthesizes the protective gear with the outcome of God's saving act. It’s not just any helmet, but specifically the one provided by salvation. This implies that our mental defense is directly linked to our experience and understanding of being saved by God. It protects our thoughts from despair by reminding us of our secure standing with God.
Ephesians 6 17 Bonus Section
This "helmet" is intimately connected to the "hope" mentioned by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. While Isaiah 59:17 calls it the "helmet of salvation," Paul reinterprets it in the context of hope. This is because salvation provides the foundation for a steadfast hope—the assured outcome of our faith. The assurance of salvation (salvation as a completed fact) fuels the confident expectation of future glory (hope). This interplay highlights that our mental defense is not passive but an active embracing of God's saving work and its glorious future implications, empowered by the Holy Spirit who seals us.
Ephesians 6 17 Commentary
The helmet of salvation is a divine provision for the mind, safeguarding believers from the enemy's deceptive tactics. This spiritual armor provides mental fortitude through the certain hope and accomplished work of Christ's salvation. It means our minds are secure because our deliverance is sure. This security allows believers to stand firm, protected from lies that aim to destabilize faith and instill fear or doubt. The certainty of God's rescue enables believers to keep their thoughts focused on truth and the future hope guaranteed by Christ, thus defending against discouragement and confusion. This mental shield allows for clarity of thought, unwavering faith, and steadfast obedience. It's about possessing the confidence that comes from knowing God has already secured our eternal future, impacting our present perspective and thought life.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When facing overwhelming anxiety, focus on the truth of your salvation—that Christ has already won the victory and your future is secure.
- In moments of doubt about God's love or presence, recall the sacrifice Jesus made, which is the ultimate proof of your salvation.
- When lies whisper that you are defeated, assert the victory Christ has already achieved on your behalf.