17. Take the helmet of salvation (THY Teptkeparatlay Tod aotnpiov déEao3e). Compare Isa. lix. 17; 1 Thess. v. 8. Take is a different word from that used in vv. 13,16. It is receive as from God. The meaning is the helmet which és salwation. The protection for the head. The helmet was originally of skin, strengthened with bronze or other metal, and surmounted with a figure adorned with a horsehair crest. It was furnished with a visor to protect the face.
Sword of the Spirit (udyaipav tod mvevuatos). See on Apoc. vi. 4. The word of God serves both for attack and to parry the thrusts of the enemy. Thus Christ used it in His temptation. It is the sword of the Spirit, because the Spirit of
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God gives it and inspires it. The Spirit’s aid is needed for its interpretation. Compare John xiv. 10; Heb. iv. 12, in which latter passage the image is sacrificial.
Word of God (fjua Jeod). See on Luke i. 37. See Luke iis 1v. > Ihom. x. 17; Heb. vi-d; xi. 8.
18. Always (€v zravti xaipé). Incorrect. It means on ev- ery occasion. Rey., at all seasons. Compare Luke xxi. 386.
With all prayer and supplication (dia mdons mpocevyis kai denoews). Prayer is general, supplication special. Aid with is literally through ; that is, through the medium of. All, lit., every. Prayer is of various kinds, formal, silent, vocal, secret, public, petitionary, ejaculatory—shot upward like a dart (jaculum) on a sudden emergency. Compare Ps. v. 1, 2.
Watching thereunto (eis avtd aypuTvoivtes). Compare Col. iv. 2. For watching, see on Mark xiii. 33, 35. There- unto, unto prayer, for occasions of prayer, and to maintain the spirit of prayer. One must watch before prayer, im prayer, after prayer.
Perseverance (zpooxaptepnoe). Only here. The kindred verb mpockaptepéw to continue, occurs often. See on Acts i. 14.
19. Boldly. Connect with to make known, as Rev.; not with open my mouth, as A. V.
Mystery. See on Rom. xi. 25; Col. i. 26.
20. | am an ambassador in bonds (mpeoBedw év advoe). The verb to be an ambassador occurs only here and 2 Cor. v. 20. See on Philem. 9. Jn bonds, lit., in a chain: the partic- ‘ ular word for the cowpling-chain by which he was bound to the hand of his guard.
21. That ye also may know, etc. Compare Cicero to At- ticus: “Send us some letter-carrier, that both you may know how it goes with us, and that we may know how you fare and what you are going to do” (v. 18).
Tychicus. See on Col. iv. 7.
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A beloved brother. Rev., correctly, the beloved brother. Tychicus is referred to as well known.
94. In sincerity (é€v ddSapcia). Rev., correctly, i ancor- ruptness : who love Christ with an imperishable and incorrup- tible love.