God has armed believers with powerful ὅπλον (hoplon) “weapons.” Greeks applied this word as a title for heroic citizen-soldiers armed with long spears and shields. The Captain of the Lord’s Hosts has called believers, as citizens of heaven, into active military service. These weapons are not associated with the fallen, earthly real (σαρκικός (sarkikos), but “mighty” through God. Worldly leaders, at every level, seek to raise higher by means of pulling others down. Soldiers of the cross seek to lift others higher even at their own expense. … read more