Ephesians 6:16-17

6:16

In addition – I have applied the 3 essentials, things I never go without, whether in spiritual battle or not. Now there are more items needed when the battle actual flares up. As Paul sat in prison and watched the Roman soldiers, he recognized that there were 3 things that they always had in place: belt, breastplate and footwear. He paralleled these with 3 things that should characterize my life regardless of circumstances. Now he turns to the next phase of preparation. While the soldier never appeared without those 3 essentials, he also always kept near at hand 3 other items: shield, helmet and sword. In case of attack, he immediately took these up.

to all this – i.e., truth, righteousness and peace. These should characterize my life as a Christ-follower, whether or not I am immediately involved in the crisis of spiritual attack.

take up – the attack is on! Shift into action! It’s not that I don’t already have these in my life. I do. But when Satan’s slaves attack, I must immediately put these to use.

the shield – stop an attack to the body, protect against the enemy’s sword or as Paul says shortly the enemy’s flaming arrows. In hand-to-hand combat it could also be used in a semi-offensive function. But basically it is a defensive tool.

of faith – seeing the invisible; touching the intangible; requires action, not just words or reciting a creed, but doing something that demonstrates my trust in Christ

with which – the function or benefit of the faith shield is…

you can – I am able to…

extinguish – smother, dowse, quench

all – not just some or even most, but every single one

the flaming – fire, burning

arrows – through the air, coming out of nowhere, sudden onslaught of hundreds of arrows on fire, intended to spread within me like fire spreads. Somehow, by doing faith I do the possible for which I am responsible. That clears the way for God to do the impossible as He stops the arrows and puts out the fire. Lord, help my unbelief.

of the – belonging to

evil one – the accuser, the adversary, the opponent, the trickster, the father of lies

6:17

Take – Second piece of equipment always kept near at hand, immediately ready in time of attack

the helmet – protect the head, by extension: my thoughts

of salvation – Tied to ‘the helmet,’ this is not talking about getting saved. Paul addressed that in the first 3 articles: truth, righteousness, and peace. These came as constants when I accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. But in the hour/day of spiritual attack, part of the accuser’s strategy involves the lie that God is no longer with me. He tells me God gave up on me long ago. He reminds me of all the sins and crimes in my history. These are the lies that invade my thinking. The helmet of salvation protects me when those thoughts come. It reminds me of certain basic “faith facts.” Fact #1: Yes, I did those things and deserve eternal punishment, because I am a sinner. Fact #2: Jesus Christ came to earth and died as a substitute for sinners, of whom I am the worst. Fact #3: When I trusted Christ for salvation, the record of my sins and crimes was expunged, sealed and buried. Fact #4: In the years since then, He continues to forgive me when I repent of more recent disobedience. Those are the facts; the helmet of salvation fends off the lies.

and – tacit ‘take’ indicating a third item that I must always keep immediately available

the sword – an attacking, offensive tool; take the fight back to the enemy; it slashes and pierces

of the Spirit – all scripture is God-breathed; it is alive and still breathing after all this time. The same Spirit who breathed, inspired, the writers to pen the Bible now meets with me every time I open it. And in the time of attack He proves faithful.

which is – present tense, current condition after all these centuries

the word – okay, I checked the Greek. This is not logos but hrema. And I don’t know the nuances of that term. So I’m stuck with the English word “word.” If I give my word, I have promised to follow through with a given commitment. My reputation is at stake. And the person to whom I gave my word can depend on my keeping my word only to the degree to which he trusts me as a person. I.e., my reliability affects the other person’s confidence. Now, in this case, God has given His word. How far, how fully, can I trust Him? How fully am I willing to trust Him?

of God – He who is the only Perfect and Holy One gave His word. He who cannot lie promised me. He in whom there is no shadow of turning or inconsistency swore on oath for me. He is trustworthy. Will I trust Him?

What has He promised me? I will never leave you nor forsake you. Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. For as high as the heavens are above the earth; so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed all my transgressions. Nothing in all creation shall be able to separate me from the love of God whch is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Etc., etc., etc.