Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 6:11-18 (New International Version)

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.¹² Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.¹³ That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.¹⁴ So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest.¹⁵ On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.¹⁶ And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One.¹⁷ Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.

This is a well known passage about the “armor of God” as verse 11 reads. It describes our fight, the armor, a belt, footwear, shield, helmet, and sword. I’d like to concentrate on the sword for this day.

Just recently, a person stood in front of a congregation, raised his Bible, and asked, “Does everyone have their sword with them?” I have probably heard this a thousand times, but this time something clicked in my head and I had to return to these verses in Ephesians. I had to consult them again s l o w l y. Verse 17 reads in part:

take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hmmm, this seems to say that the word of God is the “sword of the Spirit.” It doesn’t say the word of God is the “sword of the Christian” or the “sword of mankind” or the “sword of man” or anything that would indicate that the Bible is MY sword.

This passage reads to me that the word of God is the Spirit’s sword. The word of God is not my sword.

Perhaps I am reading too closely into a translation flawed by the human failings of the translators. Perhaps there are other verses which do not come to my mind – also flawed by human failings – at this time. Perhaps time will tell and I will change my mind.