Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 6:10 mean?

Ephesians 6:10 urges believers to find their strength not in themselves, but in the Lord and in the power that comes from His might. The verse is a call to rely on God's strength as the foundation for what follows in the passage.

Paul, writing to the Christians in Ephesus, is preparing them for his teaching about spiritual challenges ahead. This verse marks the beginning of his instructions on spiritual armor, signaling that the strength needed for these challenges is not human, but comes from God’s own power.

The Greek behind Ephesians 6:10

• ἐνδυναμοῦσθε (endynamousthe, “be strong”): This word is in the passive voice, often understood as “be strengthened,” highlighting that the strength comes from an outside source—God—not from personal effort.
• ἐν (en, “in”): Used twice, this preposition shows that both the strength and the power are found “in the Lord” and “in the power of his might,” emphasizing location or source rather than just association.
• κράτος (kratos, “power”): This word points to a kind of power that is forceful and effective, not just potential strength but strength in action.
• ἰσχύς (ischys, “might”): This term refers to inherent strength or ability, suggesting that the power available is rooted in God’s own nature.

Why Ephesians 6:10 matters

• Ephesians 6:10 clears up the idea that spiritual strength is something believers must muster on their own; instead, it is something received from God.
• The verse sets the tone for the following passage about the armor of God, making it clear that every instruction depends on God’s strength, not human willpower.
• By emphasizing both “the Lord” and “the power of his might,” Paul draws attention to the personal relationship and the limitless resources available to believers facing spiritual challenges.