At camp a few weeks ago our whole group learned the armor of God verses from Ephesians 6. As a counselor, I was working with the junior high girls to learn and understand their verses. (Praise for teamwork; other people were on the job, too, including the ‘Bible hour’ teacher and some of the other staff and counselors.) The language of the Bible is sometimes more grammatically complex than everyday usage, so breaking the verses down phrase by phrase and discussing the meaning can help the kids keep the verses in their heads and hearts, as well as legitimizing their inflection. So I was helping one of the girls with verse 17: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” and started explaining the sword of the spirit part. I don’t even remember what I told her, but I know that since that day I have been trying to figure out what it means.
A few questions:
How significant is the comma after “salvation”? Since “take” is not repeated, are we to equate the term “helmet of salvation” with the term “sword of the spirit”? Or is there any way to “take” one without the other?
Does the sword belong to the spirit, depend on the spirit, or consist of the spirit? Cross references usually lead to Hebrews 4:12, whose subject is also the word of God, which seems to cut things, including soul from spirit. But the Greek for “word” is different in Ephesians from Hebrews.
Back from camp, catching up with a friend, she reported that her small group is going through Ephesians, and that one of the teachers was excited to get to the armor of God and the sword Jesus uses to kill the wicked. (See Revelation 19:15, 21) Is that the image here? Earlier in Revelation the sword seemed to be more of a tool for discipline, discerning the spirits of the churches. The Revelation sword proceeds from the mouth of Jesus.
Is spirit supposed to be capitalized? Are we talking about the Holy Spirit, my spirit, or things spiritual? Or should the sword be used against the spirit?
When Paul says, “which is the word of God,” is the antecedent the sword or the spirit?
I looked up the Greek for this verse. My use for Greek extends to definitions, but I’m helpless when I come to grammar and tenses. But I did notice that the Greek for “word” is an utterance, not something written (in the Greek, rhema). Usually I hear teachers explaining the sword of the spirit and (ignoring that little phrase, ‘of the spirit’) holding a Bible above their heads telling their students that they have to know the word of God, and to study it, to use it like Jesus did when he was tempted in the wilderness. Except the next thing teachers say is that the sword is the offensive weapon in the armor list (some add prayer, from verse 18). I don’t see how resisting temptation is an offensive act in the spiritual war we’re fighting.
So what is “word of God”? Are we talking about words God has spoken, or words God is speaking? Ephesians 6:19 includes Paul’s prayer request that words (different Greek than verse 17: here it is logos) be given him. Given him? By whom? Whose words are they if they were given? What did Paul want to do with words? This is one of the first times in this whole article where the biblical context answers the question, because Paul says he wants to use the words to preach the gospel boldly (which seems rather offensive).
Finally, verse 18, about prayer, rather than being a new sentence, is presented as a continuation of the thought in verse 17. But what does prayer have to do with the “word of God” or “sword of the spirit”?
How exactly ought we to apply this verse, then?
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Lisa of Longbourn 
Lol…u are making it complicated for urself. Mostly, there is nothing complex about the Bible. It is as simple as it is written.
Sword of the Spirit denotes to the Word of God.
As u know, the Word of God (i.e. Bible) is authored by Holy Spirit thro’ many of his prophets n people. And also, Jesus is called the Word of God in flesh, born of HolySpirit. Speaking of spiritual warfare, the Word of God is known to be the best weapon besides prayer. Jesus Himself showed us how it works when He was tempted by Satan.
Sword is OF the HolySpirit. Every single word in Bible is powerful, not some bunch of lines simply there to memorize n forget l8er only. It has to be eaten and put into action.
Over n over again, Paul says to put on ‘FULL’ armor of God and points repeatedly ‘stand’. In other words,the fullarmor of God makes ur ‘standin’ with God firm and helps u ‘withstand’ anything tht our enemy might attack with. You need each of it n all of it.
Do u know u can lose ur salvation?? Thts why we are asked to ‘take’ the helmet of salvation. Sometimes,we ought to go back to basics of salvation to understand anything at all. Everyday….we need to remember it.
You asked what is Word of God? Jesus is Word of God. (I John) ‘Rhema’ is what we are talking here.Rhema has life. Words of life and power.
As for ‘Logos’, it simply denotes words.
Anyone can read the whole Bible and go without knowing what is really written, rite? That’s logos for u. But what is truly in Bible is more than logos. It is Rhema.
Paul was askin for logos from God to make people understand n deliver the rhema.
Verse18 – Prayer is the ultimate one which completes it all. Prayer is how the Spirit’s sword(i.e.Word of God) is put into action. When u pray, u use the Word of God like His promises for protection, deliverance, healing, power, provision etc. It works awesome.
Hope some of ur doubts were cleared. Before you start reading your Bible everytime, ask Lord Holy Spirit to sit with you n make u understand His Word (afterall He wrote it). Trust me, even things philosophers can’t get, suddenly makes sense!! ^_^
After tht, u wnt need anyone to teach ya. Just God wud do. We all are learning…Takecare. God bless!!!
In the Army of God,
For His Glory,
Bab.
Thanks for the comment. I’m not sure you got the context of my question, though. I think that it is important for Christians to read every word and phrase of the Bible and contemplate its meaning, not just to read over and get a sense of the general ideas.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn