Put on translates the same verb used in 4.24 (also in 5.14); it may be used of clothing (see its metaphorical use in Col 3.12) or, as here, of the various pieces of equipment for battle.

Verses 11 through 17 introduce a number of complex problems of translation because of the extended figures of speech and the fact that so many of these types of armor are no longer used in modern warfare. Furthermore, the Christian attitude against violence seems to make some of these references contradictory and highly unusual. It may therefore be very important to have some type of marginal note to explain something about the various pieces of armor and something of the intent in this extended series of figurative expressions.

Armor translates a Greek word found also in verse 13 and Luke 11.22, and nowhere else in the New Testament; it means the equipment and weapons worn and carried by a soldier as he went into battle. See a similar statement in Romans 13.12, and see the use of “weapon” in Romans 6.13; 2 Corinthians 10.4.

“The whole armor of God” (Revised Standard Version) means the armor he provides; so New English Bible “all the armour which God provides”; Good News Translation all the armor that God gives you. But some commentators (Beare, Barth) point out that “the breastplate of righteousness” (verse 14) and “the helmet of salvation” (verse 17) are, in Isaiah 59.17, worn by God himself as he fights his enemies, and so they prefer to understand “the armor of God” here as the armor that God himself wears. But this figure may prove difficult for the average reader with no knowledge of the Old Testament background of Yahweh as a warrior; “supplied (or, given) by God” seems preferable (so Abbott).

In some languages the closest equivalent of armor is “that which one wears for protection,” and this may be appropriate in verse 11, for example, “put on all that God gives you for protection.” Or else, “put on everything that God gives you for you to fight against evil.”

Stand up against: that is, successfully resist, withstand, oppose. The English expression stand up against suggests not only defensive but also offensive action. But in many languages there is no single expression which covers both areas of meaning. Therefore one must normally choose between “to withstand” in the sense of “to protect oneself against” and “to oppose” in the sense of “to fight back against.” The context would seem to point primarily to defensive action.

For Devil see 4.27, and the word translated evil tricks is used also in 4.14; here as there, instead of tricks, something like “schemes” or “plans” would be better; Jerusalem Bible appropriately uses a military term here, “the devil’s tactics.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1982. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .