(10) В¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) В¶ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Under the figure of an holy warfare the Apostle views the Church of Christ, and recommends to the people a suited Armory in Christ, for the combat. The Reader will recollect, that the Apostle never loseth sight, that he is writing to the Church of regenerated persons: and with this conviction upon his mind, he thus shows, how the holy warrior should be clad. I beg the Reader, from these verses to ob serve, how blessedly he recommends the saint of God, to begin with the Lord, that he may end in the Lord. Finally, (saith he), my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. He that begins in the Lord's strength, will be sure to find strength all the way in his warfare. And, there never was an instance of a child of God being finally defeated, that did so. The armies in heaven overcame by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:11 And the Church upon earth is said to be more than Conquerors, through Him that loveth them. Romans 8:37
As the Apostle recommends the Lord's people, to go forth in the Lord's strength so he bids them follow up all, in prayer, when clothed, in the divine armory. Praying always, he saith, with all prayer, and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. Pause, Reader! and behold in imagination, the holy warrior in the Lord's cause, when girded with the divine weapons, here enumerated, always on his knees before the Lord; and conceive, what a lovely sight! And then ask, what fiery darts of Satan, what conflicts of flesh and blood, what persecution from the world, shall bring him down, whom God lifts up? What weapon, formed against God's redeemed ones, shall resist the sword of the Spirit, and the word of God? Prayer, is a blessed weapon. For it calls in God to our aid. All the holy heroes of the Church gone before, have found it a sure defence. Jacob wrestled in prayer, and prevailed. And one of the Prophets, a thousand years after, recorded the blessed account of it. Compare Genesis 32:24. with Hosea 12:3-5. David also tells us, in his experience, that this was his chief weapon. In the day (said he) when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psalms 138:3. Nay, what was Christ's strength, in his human nature, but the same? Sweetly we read, for our comfort, and encouragement, that in the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers, and supplications, with strong cryings, and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard, in that he feared. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience, by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the Author of eternal salvation, unto all them that obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9. Reader! do not overlook these things. Prayer sweetly crowns the whole preparation, in the day of battle, when we go forth in the Lord's strength, in the Lord's cause. Prayer calls Jesus to our help, and Jesus becomes our strength.
I do not think it necessary, to notice the whole, and every weapon, which the Apostle here enumerates, as to be taken from the Lord's armory. All are blessed, and all essentially necessary. But they are too plain to need any Comment. I would just glance at one of them, because Paul commands, that above all, this should be taken; namely, faith. Above all (saith he) taking the shield of faith, where with ye shall, be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And it is very plain, that Satan flees from nothing so hastily, as when he is opposed by strong, and lively actings of faith, in the blood of the Lamb. When a poor buffeted child of God, against all Satan's accusations, and all the alarms of conscience, which the enemy takes care to bring before him, pleads guilty to all, but takes confidence, at the same time, in the Person, blood; and righteousness of Jesus Christ; the devil can fight no longer. And this is what the Apostle meant, when he said: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:7-8. But how shall a self - condemned sinner resist the devil but in Christ's strength; or draw nigh to God, but in Christ's Person, blood, and righteousness? Christ is the alone way, and truth, and life; for none can come to the Father, but by him. John 14:6
Reader! do not dismiss the subject hastily. If the Lord the Spirit hath regenerated you, you can be no stranger to this holy warfare. You see then, where your strength lies. Not in tears, not in a brokenness of heart, not in repentance; yea, not in anything of your own, but in Christ. Oh! for grace, with one of old to say, I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and make mention of his righteousness, even of his only. Psalms 71:16.