The Military Meaning of the Term to Stand

Just what is Paul getting at when he says, "to stand"?

In the Greek language, the word he used was histemi. Its uses include, "1)… b) to make firm, fix, establish 1) to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place 2) to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety 3) to establish a thing, cause it to stand a) to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything…" (http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G2476).

The earlier term that Paul used, withstand, was translated from the Greek word anthistemi, which means to withstand the attacks of an enemy. The connotations provided here have all the trappings of a military stand. How are we to understand this principle of "standing"? It basically means to stand up to your enemy and come out victorious. It means to not be defeated by the enemy.

For example, the American military made a major stand against the Japanese at Guadalcanal, and that stopped the momentum that the Japanese Empire had in World War II, marking the beginning of the end of the struggle with Japan—even though hostilities would continue a little while longer.

In war there are many battles. However, without an effective and successful stand against the enemy, there can be no victory. As the apostle Paul said, having done all, we must stand (Ephesians 6:10-13)!

Many Americans died at Guadalcanal, but their sacrifice brought them a major victory—and ended Japanese advances.

We must support one another in this great struggle for eternity, even if we must physically die, for we know that God, beyond human death, will greatly reward those who make the great sacrifice in this war. We must understand that ours is a collective battle requiring all of the members of the Body of Christ to do their part in the great commission that Christ has given us to do. We must support one another in this struggle. Pray for the unity of God's Church. Let's use God's power to make our stand!