In the text there is a double exhortation —
1. To keep ourselves awake : ' But let us who are of the day be sober.' The word is vqi^oifiev ; it signifieth both sobriety and watchfulness. The
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meaning is, take heed we be not lulled asleep by worldly desires, cares, and pleasures.
2. To put on our armour. Two pieces he commendeth to them, a breastplate and an helmet. Men fence the breast for the heart's sake ; and the head is the seat of the sense, upon whose safety dependeth principally the safety of the whole body, for the head guideth the whole body. Wounds in either of these two parts are most dangerous. Now —
[1.] The breastplate consisteth of two graces, faith and love ; these two are joined together, for the one can do nothing without the other. Faith without love is but a dead opinion, and love to God in Christ cannot be without faith ; both together enable us to do notable things for God : Gal. v. 6, ' Faith worketh by love.' What can withstand faith working by love ?
[2.] The helmet is ' the hope of salvation,' or a sure and earnest expectation of our eternal reward from Christ. Keep these, and you shall not only be in a blessed condition when the day of the Lord cometh, but in all your troubles, trials, and temptations you are safe for the pre- sent, and you shall not miscarry by the way.
If any say the pieces of the spiritual armour are otherwise reckoned up, Eph. vi., I answer — (1.) Metaphors may be several ways used; and in these things, so the matter be fitly delivered and understood, it is enough. (2.) Here the apostle showeth what is necessary to watch- ing ; there, to fighting. He that watcheth provideth for enemies, but doth not presently encounter them ; and therefore here a decorum is observed. Livy tells us of Paulus Emilius, Vigiles novo more, scutum in vigiliam ferre vetuit. It is enough if he hath a breastplate, though no shield ; for his business is not presently to fight, but to excite others to fight, when he perceiveth the enemy approaching ; a breastplate is enough, till he call others to help him.
Doct Christians are not well prepared for their spiritual warfare till they have put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope oi" salvation.
1. It is supposed that it concerneth us to arm ourselves for a conflict. Partly because we have sore enemies, the devil, the world, and the flesh. The devil is a roaring lion, and must be resisted : 1 Peter v. 8, 9, ' Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roar- ing lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour ; whom resist, steadfast in the faith.' The world either vexeth us with fears or enticeth us by hopes, and must be overcome : . 1 John v. 4, 5, * For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world ; and this is the victory that over- cometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God ? ' but the sorest enemy is within, to wit, our own flesh, which must be subdued and tamed : Gal. v. 24^ ' They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.' Partly because we are constantly observed how we acquit ourselves in the conflict. Now for the present there are spectators, God and his holy angels ; hereafter there will be a judge, Jesus Christ. Now there are spectators : 1 Cor. iv. 9, ' For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels and to men,' He speaketh there of the apostles, who were, as it were, exposed as the
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forlorn hope, set up in the eye of this world; but it is true of all christians. Christ maketh inspection now, for we fight in his presence ; he seeth how his people carry themselves in their conflicts and temptations: ' I know thy works : behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name,' Eev. iii. 8. But Christ, who is now a spectator, will be hereafter a judge : 2 Tim. iv. 8, ' Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.' Now he observeth, then he crown- eth his combatants ; partly that we may thoroughly discharge our duty. We can hardly do any good, but we must fight for it ; but especially in the great work of our heavenly calling, practical Christianity is a serious application of the mind and heart to do what Christ hath required, that we may obtain what he hath offered; and to do it as our first work and chief business : Phil. ii. 12, ' Work out your own salva- tion with fear and trembling ; ' Phil. iii. 14, ' I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ; ' 2 Peter iii. 14, ' Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.' Now the devil will not let you alone in this earnest diligence, but seeketh to break your resolutions, or deaden your afiections, or damp and discourage your zeal ; and the flesh joineth with him, especially w^hen the world frowneth upon your endeavours, and are set against you for being so faithful to Christ.