Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
The opening line of Paul's armor of God passage. Strength, he says, is not your own — and that's a relief.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Be strong' is in the passive — let yourself be made strong.
- 02The source is 'the Lord' and his might, not your willpower.
- 03Paul says this before describing armor — the strength comes before the equipment.
- 04Spiritual battles aren't won by trying harder; they're won by standing in his strength.
Read along.
Ephesians 6:10 begins the famous armor of God passage: 'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.'
Notice where the strength comes from. Not from you. 'In the Lord.' And again, 'in the strength of his might.' Paul stacks the phrases on purpose.
In the Greek, 'be strong' is in the passive voice. It's closer to 'be made strong' or 'let yourself be empowered.' You aren't told to generate the strength. You're told to receive it.
And he says this before he describes a single piece of armor. That's the order. First, get strong in him. Then put on the equipment.
If you're trying to fight a spiritual battle on your own steam, you'll run out. The starting point is borrowed strength.