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Yet, further, it is in the parallel epistle of the "Prize", namely Philippians, that Paul
calls Epaphroditus a "fellow-soldier". We feel therefore with these passages before us
that every believer is not necessarily numbered among the ranks of those able to go forth
to war.
Stand and Withstand.
It is noteworthy that the actual word "fight" does not occur in Eph. 6: We are
instructed that our "wrestling" is not towards (pros) flesh and blood, but spiritual foes.
The word that is most prominent in the description of the conflict is the word "stand":--
"That ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil-- . . . . . that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. STAND THEREFORE"
(Eph. 6: 11-14).
There appears to be three phases of conflict suggested here:--
1. Standing against the wiles of the devil.
2. Withstanding in the evil day.
3. Having worked out all, to stand.
The wiles of the devil are in active operation at the present time; open warfare is not
yet the order of the day. Wiles, strategems, craft, cunning, snares, wolves in sheep's
clothing, ministers of satan like ministers of righteousness, these are some of the devil's
devices. Eph. 4: 14 uses the word methodeia, translated "lie in wait to deceive", which
has been rendered a "systematic deception". We find the system at work in II Cor. 4:
There Paul repudiates the "craftiness" and the "deceitful handling of the word of God"
by his opponent, and appears clad in the armour of righteousness as he battles for the
truth (II Cor. 4: 2-4; 6: 7). The days in which we live are evil (Eph. 5: 16), evil is to
increase (II Tim. 3: 13). We are at present training for the mighty battle that lies ahead.
Some interpret the words "having done all" by "having overcome all the spiritual foes".
While it certainly involves that thought, we shall come nearer to the truth by observing
the actual word employed and its usage in other passages. Katergazomai means to
thoroughly work, or to achieve. Two occurrences of the word in the epistles seem to give
light upon its meaning in Eph. 6: The first is:--
"WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2: 12).
Salvation was the blessed possession of the Philippians, but the object of that epistle is
to urge these believers into practical realization of their position in Christ. It speaks of
"striving", of running for a "prize", of "suffering", and of the "power of His resurrection".
The other passage is II Cor. 4: 17:--
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, WORKETH for us a far more
exceeding eternal weight of glory."