’n Feministiese perspektief op eenheid en gelykheid in Efesiërs 6:10–18 se wapenrusting-metafoor

Abstract

the fight against evil powers such as domination and inequality. The writer of Ephesians uses metaphors to convey the message of unification and equality, especially between Jews and Gentiles in the newly formed 1st century church. Unfortunately, the position of slaves, woman and children in the church are still subject to cultural norms and values of the time. The message of this letter to the Ephesians should be filtered through the lens of patriarchy in the 1st-century Mediterranean world. According to Osiek, the whole Mediterranean society was patriarchal. The metaphor of the Roman soldier’s armour is a male image used to describe a spiritual war in which all believers are involved. Equality in today’s society should not be limited by 1st-century cultural boundaries. In Ephesians, the fight against evil should be an example of the unification and equality of gender, ethnicity, social status and age groups. Contribution: The metaphor of the armour of God describes the spiritual fight against evil powers. Although the image of a male Roman soldier is used, the fight is not limited to male members of the church. Every believer is valuable enough that Christ died for him or her and therefore everyone should be equal in the army of God. The empowering strength of the Holy Spirit should bring equality and unity in the church.