Ephesians 6:10-20 is the Second Reading appointed for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost in the Year of Mark. As such it is the final reading in this series of readings from this epistle which has occupied us for the last 4 weeks. As the reader may recall, the first three chapters of Ephesians were a recitation of the gifts of the Gospel, and the last three chapters have been a robust invitation to live in response to these gifts. It will be the preacher's joyful task to announce this invitation.
(The following questions have been developed to unearth the way the Word functions in the text, a fundamental concern of Law and Gospel preachers. This is such an important task because the way the Word functions in the text is the way the sermon must function in the preaching. For more on this method and on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? The first phrase says it all: "Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power." This exhortation is a classic call to obedience, the Word functioning to invite us into a certain way of living in response to the Gospel. Because the Gospel has been laid out in such grandeur in the first 3 chapters of this letter, all that is left now is to invite us to live faithfully in response to it.
2. How is the Word not functioning in the text? There is no statement of the Gospel here, no Word functioning to remind us of God's gifts in Christ. As said above, that clear statement has already been made. There is also no word of Law here, no Word functioning to remind us of our need for a Savior. This text is purely a call to faithful living.
3. With whom are you identifying in the text? We are those to whom this text is addressed, those who are reminded that our enemies are not flesh and blood, but "cosmic powers" and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." It is important to note that there is no call to oppose earthly opponents, but rather to oppose celestial ones.
4. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? A classic couplet, defeat/victory, could certainly be used here. Other suggestions might be defeated/prevailing; dying/rising.
5. Exegetical work: It is important to understand the first phrase precisely. A literal rendering of that phrase from the Greek might be: "Finally, be continually growing stronger with the help of the Lord and by means of the intensity of his strength." Note, that this is not a call to try harder; this is a call to depend more fiercely on the strength of Christ. Kittel makes an interesting observation relating to this. In his analysis of kratos (translated strength or might) he says, "In the NT there is no place in which it is said of man that he either has or can gain kratos." (Theological Dictionary of the NT, vol. III, p. 907f). Referring to the word isxos (translated capacity, power, or strength) he says, "...primitive Christianity... is quite simply grounded in the fact that Jesus is the [strong one] who has overcome the [strong one] and robbed him of his prey." (Ibid., p.401). A number of modern translations make this explicit: "Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord's mighty power within you."(Living Bible). "In conclusion be strong - not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless strength." (J.B. Phillips). In the helpful commentary by Ralph Martin he observes how dependent the letter writer is on the Roman soldier ready for battle. Each item of armor comes directly from the equipment of the Roman army down to the massive square shields which were "designed to catch the barrage of ignited arrows hurled at it." (Interpretation series, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, p.76). It is noteworthy that prayer is also seen as an essential piece of armor in this cosmic fight.
6. Consider the insights of the pioneers of the New Homiletic? Fred Craddock, the dean of the New Homiletic, was insistent that the preacher bring the experience of the text to the listener. In this case, that would mean arming the listeners for the spiritual battle - a worthy task.
Blessings on your proclamation!
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