The first century church believed that the people that persecuted them were under a delusion, that's why they didn't retaliate, they actually felt sorry for them. You can see it in their theology, atonement was what they called the 'ransom theory', where the invading army was paid tribute to withdraw from their occupied territories, because that's how it was done in that day. The powers and principalities of this day and age we might see as demonic, but most likely people would look at the strongholds of Satan as the places that inspire wickedness.
The spiritual warfare of Ephesians 6, it should be noted, comes late in the epistle. What also should be appreciated is that Ephesus was the mother church to the churches of Asia Minor, planting and nurturing at least seven of them. They held the line on doctrine, exposing false teachers and false apostles. Paul when he left Ephesus he warned them that after he was gone wolves would come, not sparing the flock. Those wolves came and the elders of Ephesus stood their ground, driving off every one of them. Jesus says in his letter to the churches of Asia Minor that he had one thing against them, that they had left their first love. Now the first thing you might think is that their first love would be him, but I don't think that's what he was talking about. I think they got very good at running off the wolves, the false teachers and apostles, and forgot to minister to the body of believers they grew up like children. So while they were busy polishing up their armor and sharpening their swords, the churches were suffering neglect from the one body of believers that had always loved them most.
Paul tells us, when you have done everything to stand, stand therefore. Let's not forget what Paul told them to stand on, the gospel of our peace. Included is the fact that Jesus' disciples are required to love one another, building one another up in their faith, sharing the gospel with whosoever will receive it. In those days a Roman Commander wasn't praised for what he could take, but what he could keep. That's why Paul is saying, stand therefore, because this church building mother church needed to do the hard work involved in holding onto what so many had worked so hard to build.
That's how you do it, continue building the body of Christ.
Grace and peace,
Mark
Thank you.
