Ephesians 6:10 tells believers that lasting strength does not come from their own resources but from the Lord and the power that belongs to him. The word “finally” signals that Paul is wrapping up his letter with practical instruction for daily life. The verse was written by the apostle Paul, traditionally identified as the author of Ephesians, to the church in Ephesus and the believers in the surrounding region.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:10 (WEB)
What Ephesians 6:10 Means
The verse begins with a command: “be strong.” Paul is not suggesting that Christians should simply try harder or summon willpower. He is telling them to become strong in a particular place, namely “in the Lord.” Strength here is relational and rooted in who God is, not in a personality trait or a spiritual achievement. The believer draws life from the one they belong to.
The verse then adds a second layer: “in the strength of his might.” Paul uses two closely related words for power, which gives the sentence a sense of emphasis. The strength being described is not modest encouragement but the very force that God exercises. Paul is pointing back to the power at work in creation, in the resurrection of Jesus, and in the life of the church.
What the verse does not promise is an absence of struggle. Paul is writing about spiritual conflict, as the surrounding verses make clear. Being strong in the Lord does not remove the difficulty of resisting temptation or opposition. It means that when difficulty comes, the believer has a source of endurance that is greater than their own.
The Context of Ephesians 6:10
Ephesians is a letter that moves from theology to practice. The first three chapters describe what God has done in Christ, including the reconciliation of Jewish and Gentile believers into one body. The last three chapters explain how that new identity should shape daily relationships, from marriage and family to work and worship. By the time Paul reaches chapter six, he has laid out the reality of Christ’s rule and now turns to the everyday conflicts believers face.
The verses just before and after Ephesians 6:10 deal with employers and servants, and then with a struggle that Paul describes as being “not against flesh and blood.” Because the verse sits in this setting, it reads less like a general motivational line and more like a direct instruction to people who must live faithfully under pressure. The strength Paul calls for is the strength needed to do good, to resist evil, and to keep standing when the situation is hard.
Key Phrases in Ephesians 6:10
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
(WEB)
Paul’s confidence in this verse rests on Christ, who gives him the ability to face any circumstance. It parallels the emphasis in Ephesians 6:10 on drawing strength from the Lord rather than from personal resolve.
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
(WEB)
Isaiah describes God as the one who gives power to the weary and increases strength to those who have none. This older promise shows that dependence on God’s strength has long been the pattern of faithful living for his people.
A Short Prayer From Ephesians 6:10
Lord, I confess that I often try to face my days on my own strength, and I grow weary when that strength runs out. Teach me to be strong in you rather than in my own abilities. Help me to remember that your power is greater than any pressure, temptation, or conflict I encounter this week. Give me courage for the conversations I dread and steadiness for the choices that matter most. Amen.