breastplate of righteousness--([Is 59:17]), similarly of Messiah. "Righteousness" is here joined with "truth," as in [Ep 5:9]: righteousness in works, truth in words [Estius] ([1Jo 3:7]). Christ's righteousness inwrought in us by the Spirit. "Faith and love," that is, faith working righteousness by love, are "the breastplate" in [1Th 5:8].
15. Translate, "Having shod your feet" (referring to the sandals, or to the military shoes then used).
the preparation--rather, "the preparedness," or "readiness of," that is, arising from the "Gospel" ([Psa 10:17]). Preparedness to do and suffer all that God wills; readiness for march, as a Christian soldier.
gospel of peace--(compare [Lu 1:79]; [Ro 10:15]). The "peace" within forms a beautiful contrast to the raging of the outward conflict ([Is 26:3]; [Php 4:7]).
16. Above all--rather, "Over all"; so as to cover all that has been put on before. Three integuments are specified, the breastplate, girdle, and shoes; two defenses, the helmet and shield; and two offensive weapons, the sword and the spear (prayer). Alford translates, "Besides all," as the Greek is translated, [Lu 3:20]. But if it meant this, it would have come last in the list (compare [Col 3:14]).
shield--the large oblong oval door-like shield of the Romans, four feet long by two and a half feet broad; not the small round buckler.
ye shall be able--not merely, "ye may." The shield of faith will certainly intercept, and so "quench, all the fiery darts" (an image from the ancient fire-darts, formed of cane, with tow and combustibles ignited on the head of the shaft, so as to set fire to woodwork, tents, &c.).
of the wicked--rather "of the EVIL ONE." Faith conquers him ([1Pe 5:9]), and his darts of temptation to wrath, lust, revenge, despair, &c. It overcomes the world ([1Jo 5:4]), and so the prince of the world ([1Jo 5:18]).
17. take--a different Greek word from that in [Ep 6:13], ; translate, therefore, "receive," "accept," namely, the helmet offered by the Lord, namely, "salvation" appropriated, as [1Th 5:8], "Helmet, the hope of salvation"; not an uncertain hope, but one that brings with it no shame of disappointment ([Ro 5:5]). It is subjoined to the shield of faith, as being its inseparable accompaniment (compare [Ro 5:1], ). The head of the soldier was among the principal parts to be defended, as on it the deadliest strokes might fall, and it is the head that commands the whole body. The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure Gospel "hope" of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine, or give way to Satan's temptations to despair. God, by this hope, "lifts up the head" ([Psa 3:3]; [Lu 21:28]).
sword of the Spirit--that is, furnished by the Spirit, who inspired the writers of the word of God ([2Pe 1:21]). Again the Trinity is implied: the Spirit here; and Christ in "salvation" and God the Father, [Ep 6:13] (compare [He 4:12]; [Re 1:16]; 2:12). The two-edged sword, cutting both ways ([Psa 45:3], ), striking some with conviction and conversion, and others with condemnation ([Is 11:4]; [Re 19:15]), is in the mouth of Christ ([Is 49:2]), in the hand of His saints ([Psa 149:6]). Christ's use of this sword in the temptation is our pattern as to how we are to wield it against Satan ([Mt 4:4], [7, 10]). There is no armor specified for the back, but only for the front of the body; implying that we must never turn our back to the foe ([Lu 9:62]); our only safety is in resisting ceaselessly ([Mt 4:11]; [Jas 4:7]).
18. always--Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency ([Col 4:2]). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in [Lu 21:36] (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, [1Co 11:23], &c.; [1Ti 5:18]). Compare [Lu 18:1]; [Ro 12:12]; [1Th 5:17].
with all--that is, every kind of.
prayer--a sacred term for prayer in general.
supplication--a common term for a special kind of prayer [Harless], an imploring request. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evils which we fear [Grotius].
in the Spirit--to be joined with "praying." It is he in us, as the Spirit of adoption, who prays, and enables us to pray ([Ro 8:15], ; [Ga 4:6]; Jude 20).
watching--not sleeping ([Ep 5:14]; [Psa 88:13]; [Mt 26:41]). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (compare Anna, [Lu 2:37]).
thereunto--"watching unto" (with a view to) prayer and supplication.
with--Greek, "in." Persevering constancy ("perseverance") and (that is, exhibited in) supplication are to be the element in which our watchfulness is to be exercised.
for all saints--as none is so perfect as not to need the intercessions of his fellow Christians.
19. for me--a different Greek preposition from that in [Ep 6:18]; translate, therefore, "on my behalf."
that I may open my mouth boldly--rather, "that there may be given to me 'utterance,' or 'speech' in the opening of my mouth (when I undertake to speak; a formula used in set and solemn speech, [Job 3:1]; [Da 10:16]), so as with boldness to make known," &c. Bold plainness of speech was the more needed, as the Gospel is a "mystery" undiscoverable by mere reason, and only known by revelation. Paul looked for utterance to be given him; he did not depend on his natural or acquired power. The shortest road to any heart is by way of heaven; pray to God to open the door and to open your mouth, so as to avail yourself of every opening ([Jr 1:7], ; [Eze 3:8], [9, 11]; [2Co 4:13]).
20. For--Greek, as in [Ep 6:19], "On behalf of which."
an ambassador in bonds--a paradox. Ambassadors were held inviolable by the law of nations, and could not, without outrage to every sacred right, be put in chains. Yet Christ's "ambassador is in a chain!" The Greek is singular. The Romans used to bind a prisoner to a soldier by a single chain, in a kind of free custody. So [Ac 28:16], , "I am bound with this chain." The term, "bonds" (plural), on the other hand, is used when the prisoner's hands or feet were bound together ([Ac 26:29]); compare [Ac 12:6], where the plural marks the distinction. The singular is only used of the particular kind of custody described above; an undesigned coincidence [Paley].
21. that ye also--as I have been discussing things relating to you, so that ye also may know about me (compare [Col 4:7], ). Neander takes it, "Ye also," as well as the Colossians ([Col 4:6]).
my affairs--Greek, "the things concerning me."
how I do--how I fare.
Tychicus--an Asiatic, and so a fit messenger bearing the respective Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse ([Ac 20:4]; [2Ti 4:12]).
a beloved brother--Greek, "the beloved brother"; the same epithet as in [Col 4:7].
minister--that is, servant.
in the Lord--in the Lord's work.
22. for the same purpose--Greek, "for this very purpose." [Col 4:8] is almost word for word the same as this verse.
our affairs--Greek, "the things concerning us," namely, concerning myself. "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas" ([Col 4:10]).
23. love with faith--Faith is presupposed as theirs; he prays that love may accompany it ([Ga 5:6]).
24. Contrast the malediction on all who love Him not ([1Co 16:22]).
in sincerity--Greek, "in incorruption," that is, not as English Version, but "with an immortal (constant) love" [Wahl]. Compare "that which is not corruptible" ([1Pe 3:4]). Not a fleeting, earthly love, but a spiritual and eternal one [Alford]. Contrast [Col 2:22], worldly things "which perish with the using." Compare [1Co 9:25], "corruptible ... incorruptible crown." "Purely," "holily" [Estius], without the corruption of sin (See on [1Co 3:17]; [2Pe 1:4]; Jude 10). Where the Lord Jesus has a true believer, there I have a brother [Bishop M'ikwaine]. He who is good enough for Christ, is good enough for me [R. Hall]. The differences of opinion among real Christians are comparatively small, and show that they are not following one another like silly sheep, each trusting the one before him. Their agreement in the main, while showing their independence as witnesses by differing in non-essentials, can only be accounted for by their being all in the right direction ([Ac 15:8], ; [1Co 1:2]; ).