Lexical Summary belos: Arrow, Dart Original Word: βέλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dart, arrowFrom ballo; a missile, i.e. Spear or arrow -- dart. see GREEK ballo Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 956: βέλοςβέλος, βελεος, τό (βάλλω), a missile, a dart, javelins, arrow: Ephesians 6:16. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Imagery The term carries the idea of something slender, sharp, and penetrating—whether an arrow shot in battle or a needle used in daily life. Both images emphasize precision, penetration, and the ability to pass through barriers, making the word an evocative tool for spiritual illustration. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Ephesians 6:16 – “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Although the word surfaces only twice, each context presents a vivid contrast: one scene is a battlefield; the other, an urban gate or sewing implement. Together they frame both the peril of spiritual assault and the impossibility of self-secured salvation. Old Testament Background Arrows symbolize divine judgment (Deuteronomy 32:23), demonic attack (Psalm 91:5), and human hostility (Jeremiah 50:14). Needles, while not explicitly named in the Hebrew Scriptures, are implicit in tabernacle craftsmanship (Exodus 26:36) where “embroidered work” required fine piercing tools. These antecedents shape the New Testament metaphors: • Arrows: instruments of warfare and judgment. Cultural and Historical Context Arrows in the Greco-Roman world were commonly dipped in pitch or poison, then ignited, producing “flaming arrows” that could set shields and wooden defenses ablaze. Roman soldiers countered with thick leather-covered shields, soaked in water before combat. Thus Paul’s metaphor in Ephesians 6:16 resonated immediately with his audience. The “eye of a needle” may refer either to a literal sewing needle—already in use in first-century households—or to a small after-hours postern gate in a city wall. Whichever image was in view, both involve an aperture absurdly small for a camel, forcing listeners to reckon with the sheer impossibility of entering God’s kingdom by wealth or human merit. Theological Significance 1. Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:16) 2. Salvation and Human Inability (Luke 18:25) Applications for Ministry and Discipleship • Cultivate Robust Faith: Believers are urged to maintain an active, shield-like trust in Christ through Scripture meditation, prayer, and obedience, thereby “soaking” the shield to quench fiery arrows before they ignite bitterness or unbelief. • Preach Repentance over Reliance: In evangelism, Luke 18:25 challenges any confidence in wealth or moral self-sufficiency. Proclaim that only by surrender to Christ can one pass through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:14). • Equip for Discernment: Leaders should train congregations to recognize flaming arrows—temptations, accusations, or doctrinal distortions—and to raise the shield of faith promptly. • Foster Humility Among the Affluent: The needle metaphor speaks directly to societies of abundance, urging stewardship, generosity, and dependence on God rather than on material security. Homiletical Insights • Contrast and Convergence: Use the disparity between battlefield arrows and a domestic needle to illustrate how the gospel addresses both overt conflict and subtle idolatry. • Object Lessons: A water-soaked leather shield or a small sewing needle can function as tactile sermon aids, reinforcing spiritual truths. • Integrate Testimony: Share narratives where faith quenched fiery trials or where surrender released someone from wealth’s stranglehold, thereby embodying the text. Related Words and Concepts • Shield (Greek: thureos) – the large Roman door-shaped shield, central to Paul’s analogy. Key Quotations • “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 These passages fortify the believer’s shield and remind the affluent—and indeed all persons—that entrance into the kingdom is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Forms and Transliterations βέλεσι βέλεσιν βελη βέλη βελονης βελόνης βέλος βελοστάσεις βελοστάσεων βέλους βελών bele belē béle bélē belones belonēs belónes belónēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 18:25 N-GFSGRK: διὰ τρήματος βελόνης εἰσελθεῖν ἢ INT: through an eye of a needle to enter than Ephesians 6:16 N-ANP Strong's Greek 956 |
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