Matthew Henry Commentary Ephesians 6:10-18

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints," — Ephesians 6:10-18 (ASV)

Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who wish to prove they have true grace must aim at all grace and put on the whole armor of God, which He prepares and bestows. The Christian armor is made to be worn, and there is no putting off our armor until we have finished our warfare and completed our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we have to deal with an enemy who has a thousand ways of deceiving unstable souls.

The devils assault us in the things that belong to our souls and labor to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. We must resolve by God's grace not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we give way, he will gain ground.

If we distrust our cause, our Leader, or our armor, we give him an advantage. The different parts of the armor of heavy-armed soldiers, who had to sustain the fiercest assaults of the enemy, are described here. There is none for the back; nothing to defend those who turn back in the Christian warfare. Truth, or sincerity, is the belt.

This belt secures all the other pieces of our armor and is mentioned first. There can be no religion without sincerity. The righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, is a breastplate against the arrows of divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us fortifies the heart against the attacks of Satan. Resolution must be as greaves, or armor for our legs; and to stand their ground or to march forward in rugged paths, the feet must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Motives for obedience, amid trials, must be drawn from a clear knowledge of the gospel. Faith is all in all in an hour of temptation. Faith, as relying on unseen objects, receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption, and so deriving grace from Him, is like a shield, a defense in every way. The devil is the wicked one.

Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire by hell, are darts Satan shoots at us. These also include hard thoughts of God and about ourselves. Faith, applying the word of God and the grace of Christ, quenches the darts of temptation. Salvation must be our helmet. A good hope of salvation, a scriptural expectation of victory, will purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by Satan.

To the Christian armed for defense in battle, the apostle recommends only one weapon of attack, but it is enough: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It subdues and mortifies evil desires and blasphemous thoughts as they arise within, and answers unbelief and error as they assault from without. A single text, well understood and rightly applied, at once destroys a temptation or an objection and subdues the most formidable adversary.

Prayer must fasten all the other parts of our Christian armor. There are other duties of religion and of our stations in the world, but we must maintain times of prayer. Though formal and solemn prayer may not be appropriate when other duties are to be done, yet short, pious prayers, darted out, are always so. We must cultivate holy thoughts in our ordinary course of life.

A vain heart will be vain in prayer. We must pray with all kinds of prayer: public, private, and secret; social and solitary; solemn and spontaneous; with all the parts of prayer: confession of sin, petition for mercy, and thanksgiving for favors received. And we must do it by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, in dependence on and according to His teaching. We must persevere in particular requests, despite discouragements.

We must pray not only for ourselves but for all saints. Our enemies are mighty, and we are without strength, but our Redeemer is almighty, and in the power of His might we may overcome. Therefore, we must stir ourselves up. Have we not, when God has called, often neglected to answer? Let us reflect on these things and continue our prayers with patience. (Ephesians 6:19–24)