John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote another famous allegory entitled The Holy War.... He believed that God and Satan are locked in a titanic war in which the souls of humanity are at stake — that we are the principal players in a real war. ... Bunyan sought, by the powerful use of allegory, to instruct believers in the subtleties of this warfare, and to reinforce the reality that every true believer is a warrior. Bunyan knew from Biblical revelation and repeated personal persecution that life is one long battlefield in which there can be no retreat, no surrender, and no quarter if we are to be faithful to Jesus Christ. It is significant that most of Bunyan’s work was done while in prison. The Christian soldier must never expect to find rest in this world. A believer will never hear orders to relax their guard or put their armor aside (Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (pp. 237–240). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.).
In Ephesians 6:14–17 Paul tells us of the seven pieces of armor with which God supplies His children to withstand the onslaughts of Satan and his hosts. We have seen the first three pieces of armor, specifically: 1) The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a) , 2) The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b), and 3) Feet prepared with the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15). We realized that we must be ready for battle, free of distractions, we must protect our mind and emotions guarded by God's righteousness and not our own and finally, we must stand on the truths of the Gospel, and rest in the peace it alone provides.
The first three pieces of amour: the belt, breastplate, and shoes (vv. 14–15)—were for long–range preparation and protection and were never taken off on the battlefield. The shield (Ephesians 6:17a), helmet (Ephesians 6:17a), and sword (Ephesians 6:17b), on the other hand, were kept in readiness for use when actual fighting began, hence the verb to take up.
1) The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Ephesians 6:16 [16]In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (ESV)
Roman soldiers used several kinds of shields, but two were the most common. The first was a rather small round shield, perhaps two feet in diameter, that was secured to the arm by two leather straps. It was relatively lightweight and was used to parry the sword blows of one’s opponent in hand–to–hand fighting. The second kind was the thureos, to which Paul refers here. This shield was about two and half feet wide and four and a half feet high, designed to protect the entire body of the soldier—who was considerably smaller than the average man today. The shield was made of a solid piece of wood and was covered with metal or heavy oiled leather. Sculptured representations may be seen on Trajan’s column (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 409). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
The soldiers who carried these shields were in the front lines of battle, and normally stood side by side with their shields together, forming a huge phalanx extending as long as a mile or more. The archers stood behind this protective wall of shields and shot their arrows as they advanced against the enemy. Anyone who stood or crouched behind such shields was protected from the barrage of enemy arrows and spears. It is of interest also to recall that the Romans had a system of locking these large shields together for their corporate defence against their enemies and for attack (Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 181). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.).
• What we must understand is that this protection is meant to be used in community. God designed the church to work together. When we stand shoulder to shoulder against the enemy using God's armor, we form a godly company of heavenly soldiers.
This shield is described as the shield of faith. The faith to which Paul refers here is not the body of Christian beliefs (for which the term is used in 4:13), but basic trust in God—the faith in Christ that appropriates salvation and continues to bring blessing and strength as it trusts Him for daily provision and help. The substance of Christianity is believing that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6); putting total trust in His Son as the crucified, buried, risen, and ascended Savior; obeying Scripture as His infallible and authoritative Word; and looking forward to the Lord’s coming again. Habakkuk’s great declaration that “the righteous will live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4) is quoted and reaffirmed twice by Paul (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11) and once by the writer of Hebrews (10:38). Faith means total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It is not something we put on for a show for others. It means believing in his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet (Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W. (1996). Ephesians (p. 133). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.).
What then is the particular threat that Paul has in mind here that we need to take up the shield of faith? In New Testament times the tips of arrows would often be wrapped in pieces of cloth that had been soaked in pitch. Just before the arrow was shot, the tip would be lighted and the flaming darts would be shot at the enemy troops. The pitch burned fiercely, and on impact it would spatter burning bits for several feet, igniting anything flammable it touched. In addition to piercing their bodies, it could inflict serious burns on enemy soldiers and destroy their clothing and gear. The most reliable protection against such flaming darts was the thureos shield, whose covering of metal or leather soaked in water would either deflect or extinguish them. At times when flaming darts were caught by the shield and did not penetrate to the body, it caused panic, because it was thrown when well alight and its motion through the air made it blaze more fiercely, so that the soldier was tempted to get rid of his burning shield and expose himself to the enemy’s spear-thrusts. But the “shield of faith” not only catches the incendiary devices but extinguishes them. The “flaming darts of the evil one” are the “schemes of the devil” already mentioned; the best defense against them is faith in God (Bruce, F. F. (1984). The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (p. 408). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
The spiritual flaming darts against which believers need protection would seem primarily to be temptations. Paul knew to include such flaming darts, people’s arrow tongues, the shafts of impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, that are planned by the enemy to burn and destroy (cf. Matt. 4:3–9).. The apostle knew that only faith’s reliance on God could extinguish/quench and deflect such weapons whenever they were hurled at the Christian. (Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 181). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.).
Please turn to Psalm 18 (p.455)
The only way to extinguish Satan’s flaming darts of temptation to doubt God is to believe God, and take up the shield of faith. The inspired superscription of Psalm 18 explains the situation: A PSALM OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, WHO ADDRESSED THE WORDS OF THIS SONG TO THE LORD ON THE DAY WHEN THE LORD RESCUED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL
Psalm 18:16-30 [16]He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. [17]He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. [18]They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. [19]He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. [20]The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. [21]For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. [22]For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. [23]I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. [24]So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. [25]With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; [26]with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. [27]For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. [28]For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. [29]For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. [30]This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (ESV)
• As the threats here to David are depicted in various imagery, his faith in God is his shield. God is his righteousness. Various imagery is also depict God rescuing the one who has faith in him. The description of a follower of God being “blameless” indicates that following the Lord’s blameless way (cf. v. 21) is what enables a believer to become blameless (vv. 23, 25). In a new covenant sense, we can see Christ’s resurrection is the ultimate case of deliverance from enemies (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 958). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.).
The ultimate adversary to whom threatens believers is The evil one (or “vile, wretched one,” ponçros) which refers to the devil, whose supernaturally evil schemes we are to stand firm against and “to resist in the evil day” with the armor God supplies (vv. 11–13). Paul here again emphasizes that our struggle is against personal forces of evil—not simply against bad philosophies or wrong ideas, as liberal theologians and preachers have long maintained. Our battle is not against abstract evil influences but the personal evil one and his hordes of personal demons. Satan is the source of unbelief and doubt. “Has God indeed said?” is his favorite question (Gen. 3:1). Faith is what overcomes every foe (1 John 5:4). As believers use the shield of faith, the fiery darts of unbelief and doubt are kept away (Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 554). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.).
Poem: In the rousing words of Charles Wesley (1707–88) we say: "Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armour on! Strong in the strength which God supplies, Through his eternal Son. Strong in the Lord of hosts, And in his mighty power; Who in the strength of Jesus trusts Is more than conqueror (Gordon, S. (2003). The Genius of Grace: The Message of Ephesians (pp. 409–410). Belfast, Northern Ireland; Greenville, SC: Ambassador Publications.).
2) The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)
Ephesians 6:17a [17]and take the helmet of salvation, (and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God), (ESV)
The fifth piece of God’s armor is represented by the Roman soldier’s helmet, without which he would never enter battle. Some of the helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal plates, and others were of heavy molded or beaten metal. They usually had cheek pieces to protect the face. The purpose of the helmet, of course, was to protect the head from injury, particularly from the dangerous broadsword commonly used in the warfare of that day. That was not the much smaller sword mentioned later in this verse, but was a large two–handed, double–edged sword (rhomphaia, see Rev. 1:16; 2:12; 6:8) that measured three to four feet in length. It was often carried by cavalrymen, who would swing at the heads of enemy soldiers to split their skulls or decapitate them. Helmets were decorative as well as protective and some had magnificent plumes or crests (Gordon, S. (2003). The Genius of Grace: The Message of Ephesians (pp. 407–408). Belfast, Northern Ireland; Greenville, SC: Ambassador Publications.).
The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ. Since Paul is addressing believers, putting on the helmet of salvation cannot refer to receiving Christ as Savior. The only ones who can take up any piece of God’s armor, and the only ones who are involved in this supernatural struggle against Satan and his demon forces, are those who are already saved. Here Paul’s language is once again drawn from Isaiah 59, where Yahweh the victorious warrior wears ‘the helmet of salvation’ (v. 17) as he saves his people and judges their enemies. Now, according to Ephesians, he gives his helmet to believers for their protection. This helmet is salvation itself (the genitive is one of apposition: ‘the helmet which is salvation’), and believers are urged to lay hold of it as they engage in the spiritual warfare (O’Brien, P. T. (1999). The letter to the Ephesians (p. 481). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
The two dangerous edges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are doubt and discouragement. Satan tries to sew doubts about the truths of God, including doubt about one’s salvation, are the worst discouragements for a believer. If a believer doubts God’s goodness or dependability, or if their relation to God seems uncertain, such a person has no ground for hope and therefore no protection from discouragement. The person who thinks they have nothing worthwhile to look forward to has no reason to fight, work, or live responsibly. If our often unpleasant and disappointing earthly life is all we can be certain of, then Christians are indeed “of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:19). As a blow to the head often means death, so a person without hope of salvation will be easily defeated by the enemy (Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W. (1996). Ephesians (p. 134). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.).
The other, and closely related, edge of Satan’s two–edged sword is the doubt that often brings discouragement. To discourage us he points to our failures, our sins, our unresolved problems, our poor health, or to whatever else seems negative in our lives in order to make us lose confidence in the love and care of our heavenly Father. Wearing this helmet, we have confidence—confidence that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. So if God be for us, it does not matter who is against us (see Rom. 8:31–39) (Dunnam, M. D., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Galatians / Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon (Vol. 31, p. 240). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.).
Please turn to 1 Thessalonians 5 (p.987)
It seems that the Thessalonians either were worried that they might not be prepared for the day of the Lord or were insecure about their status on that day in view of the recent unexpected deaths (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2310). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.).
To the persecuted and discouraged believers at Thessalonica, Paul wrote words parallel to the thought here in Ephesians:
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 [8]But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. [9]For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10]who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. [11]Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (ESV)
The helmet of salvation is that great hope of final salvation that gives us confidence and assurance that our present struggle with Satan will not last forever and we will be victorious in the end. We know the battle is only for this life, and even a long earthly life is no more than a split second compared to eternity with our Lord in heaven. We are not in a race we can lose. Focusing on the eternal glory that awaits them (2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Peter 5:10) protects believers against temptation. “Beloved, now we are children of God,” wrote John, “and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3). Hope ‘is not “mere” hope, as often in modern speech, but a sure and certain expectation’ (Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, p. 97). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.).
Illustration: The transcending effect of all of this is an imperial confidence amidst the smoke of battle in this life. We have no doubt that we are victors, and we show this in battle. In July 1988 there was a heavyweight championship “fight” between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks. Mike Tyson came with a calm, determined demeanor before the fight. He knew he was going to win. Michael Spinks seemed to know it too for he looked terrified. Tyson had such horrifying punching power that he put Michael Spinks down in ninety-one seconds!
On a vastly more elevated level, “the helmet of salvation” is to bring this confidence to our lives so we can fight “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God” (Philippians 1:28)...Confidence in battle is a sign of our salvation and the enemies’ destruction. Are you embattled? If so, are you fearful and lacking confidence? Then reach for your helmet, pull it down hard over your ears, fasten the strap, and stand tall. It is his helmet, so nothing can fell you. You are victor! (Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (pp. 241–242). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.)
3) The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)
Ephesians 6:17b [17](and take the helmet of salvation,) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (ESV)
The sword to which Paul refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six to eighteen inches. It was the common sword carried by Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in hand–to–hand combat. Carried in a sheath or scabbard attached to their belts, it was always at hand and ready for use.
Of the Spirit can also be translated “by the Spirit” or as “spiritual,” referring to the nature of the sword (rather than its source). From the context we know that it is a spiritual weapon, to be used in our struggle against spiritual enemies. The Holy Spirit is the origin of the sword. As the Spirit of truth (John 14:17), the Holy Spirit is the believer’s resident truth Teacher, who teaches us all things and brings God’s Word to our remembrance (v. 26).
The emphasis of the present passage is on how believers are to use the sword of the Spirit. It is not a physical weapon designed by human minds or forged by human hands (as noted in 2 Cor. 10:3–5) but the perfect spiritual weapon of divine origin and power. Like the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, it is always to be at hand, ready to be taken up (vv. 16a and 17a) and used when a battle begins.
Quote: Paul explicitly states that the sword of the Spirit is Scripture, the word of God. The Scottish pastor and writer Thomas Guthrie said, “The Bible is an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth. It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady, and a balm for every wound. Rob us of our Bible and our sky has lost its sun.”
As the sword of the Spirit, the Bible offers limitless resources and blessings to the believer. First of all, it is the source of truth. “Thy Word is truth,” Jesus said to His Father (John 17:17). People today look everywhere for answers to life, to try to find out what is worth believing and what is not. The source of all truth about God and humanity, life and death, time and eternity, men and women, right and wrong, heaven and hell, damnation and salvation, is God’s own word. The Bible is also a source of happiness. Speaking of God’s wisdom, the writer of Proverbs said, “Blessed [or happy] is the one who listens to me” (Prov. 8:34). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it” (Luke 11:28). No person can be happier than when they discover, accept and obey God’s Word. The Bible is the source of spiritual growth. “Like newborn babes,” Peter admonished, “long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). It is the source of guidance, “a lamp to [our] feet, and a light to [our] path” (Ps. 119:105); the source of comfort (Rom. 15:4); the source of perfection (2 Tim. 3:16). And the word of God is the source of victory over our great spiritual enemy, our most powerful weapon against Satan.
The sword of the Spirit is first of all a defensive weapon, capable of deflecting the blows of an opponent. It is the believer’s supreme weapon of defense against the onslaughts of Satan. Unlike the shield, however, which gives broad and general protection, the sword can deflect an attack only if it is handled precisely and skillfully. It must parry the enemy weapon exactly where the thrust is made. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, His defense for each temptation was a passage of Scripture that precisely contradicted the devil’s word (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10). The Christian who does not know God’s Word well cannot use it well. Satan will invariably find out where we are ignorant or confused and attack us there. Scripture is not a broadsword (rhomphaia) to be waved indiscriminately, but a dagger to be used with great precision. What is in view here is not some ad hoc word addressed to Satan, as though what we speak against him will defeat him. Rather, it is the faithful speaking forth of the gospel in the realm of darkness, so that men and women held by Satan might hear this liberating and life-giving word and be freed from his grasp (O’Brien, P. T. (1999). The letter to the Ephesians (p. 482). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
Please turn to Hebrews 4 (p.1003)
The term Paul uses here for word is not logos, which refers to general statements or messages, but is rhçma, which refers to individual words or particular statements. The apostle is therefore not talking here about general knowledge of Scripture, but is emphasizing again the precision that comes by knowledge and understanding of specific truths.
The sword of the Spirit is also an offensive weapon, capable of inflicting blows as well as deflecting those of the enemy. Scripture is:
Hebrews 4:12-13 [12]For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13]And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)
• When the word of God is preached, it brings God’s judgment to bear on lives as it infallibly sifts the evidence of sin and guilt.
• Every time God’s Word is used to lead a person to salvation it gives witness to its power to cut a swath through Satan’s dominion of darkness and bring the light of life to a lost soul.
In one sense, the “whole armor of God” is a picture of Jesus Christ. Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and He is our righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) and our peace (Eph. 2:14). His faithfulness makes possible our faith (Gal. 2:20); He is our salvation (Luke 2:30); and He is the Word of God (John 1:1, 14). This means that when we trusted Christ, we received the armor. Paul told the Romans what to do with the armor (Rom. 13:11–14): wake up (Rom. 13:11), cast off sin, and “put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). We do this by putting “on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). By faith, put on the armor and trust God for the victory. Once and for all, we have put on the armor at the moment of salvation. But there must be a daily appropriation. When King David put off his armor and returned to his palace, he was in greater danger than when he was on the battlefield (2 Sam. 11). We are never out of reach of Satan’s devices, so we must never be without the whole armor of God (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 59). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
(Format Note: Outline & some base commentary from MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 357–375). Chicago: Moody Press.)
