Final answer:
St. Paul uses the imagery of the 'armor of God' and the Church as a building to instruct members on overcoming challenges. The armor represents spiritual strengths, while the building metaphor emphasizes unity and support among believers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul employs various forms of imagery to advise members of the Church on overcoming challenges. One key image he uses is that of the 'armor of God,' found in Ephesians 6:10-18. Here, Paul metaphorically describes the spiritual protections Christians should 'wear': the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the footwear of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece of this 'armor' signifies a virtue or aspect of faith that can help believers stand against adversities.
Another example of Paul’s imagery is in Ephesians 2:19-22 where he describes the Church as a building, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In this imagery, the members of the Church are likened to stones that are being built into a holy temple, highlighting the unity and connectedness required to overcome challenges together. This building metaphor conveys the strength and stability that come from being united in Christ.