Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 1. Christians are soldiers. Our life is a warfare. The Church here is militant. God has thus disposed our state on earth for weighty reasons. (1) The more to manifest His pity, power, providence, and truth in keeping promise. The straits whereunto in this world we are brought, the promises which God has made to deliver us, and the many deliverances which we have, show that God pities us in our distresses, that He is provident and careful for our good, and wise in disposing evil to good; that He is able to deliver us, and faithful in doing it. (2) To make proof of the gifts He bestows on His children. A soldier's valour is not known but in war. (3) To wean them the better from this world. 2. The graces of God's Spirit are for safeguard and defence. (1) Those who want them must seek them. (2) Those who have them must use them. 3. The Christian's armour is the armour of God. (1) It is made of God, even in heaven. (2) It is prescribed of God, even in His Word. (3) It is given of God, even by His Spirit. (4) It is agreeable to God, even to His will. 4. It is spiritual armour; therefore suitable for defence against spiritual foes. 5. It is a complete armour, every way sufficient. (1) Sufficient to defend us in every part. (2) Sufficient to keep off and thrust back every assault and every dart of our spiritual enemies. 6. Christians ought to be well furnished always, and well prepared with the graces of God's Spirit. They must ever have them in readiness at hand to use them, and make proof of them. As armour rusting by the wall side, as fire smothered with ashes, as money cankering in chests, so are the graces of God's Spirit if they be not employed. Though in themselves they be never so excellent, yet to us and others they are fruitless and unprofitable, without a right use of them. 7. The power of every sanctifying grace must be manifest in the life of a Christian. 8. God's assistance and man's endeavour are joined together. Without God's mighty power man can do nothing; unless man put on the whole armour of God, God will do nothing. (William Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.WEB: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. |
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