The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 282

inveterate disposition is to seek to work our rnin. As to their haunt, as it was before hinted at (rather than dogmatically taught) e.s the air, so here it is the heavenly or sL1per-terrestrial places. The general effect of the description is that, man ourselves we arc unequally matched in having to fight against superhuman powers. ' JII. FURTHER RECOMMENDATION OF THE PANOPLY. "'Wherefore take up the whole armour o! God, tba~ ye ma,r be able to withstand in the e_vil day, and, having done all, to stand. The evil day 1s not to be viewed as a special season of temptation. It may be more or less so, but it is always the day of temptation with us. We are assaulted even when we are engaged with holy things. We are assaulted by those formidable enemies of ours who are ever busy. \Ve must, therefore, take up the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand the assaults made on us, and havin" done all things pertaining to the conflict, to stand (and not to be left prostrai:i on th~ field). IY. THE PARTS OF THE PANOPLY. 1. The girdk. "Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth.v In preparing for the conflict the first thing the warrior had to a.:- was to gird up his loose flowing robe, that his energie.o; might not be scattered, but coilected icto a unity. The girdle which binds the energies of the Christian combatant is trnth. About the end of the eleventh century, great multitudes, known as Crusaders, girded themselves to go and deliver the holy sepulchre from the possession of the Saracens. It was not the girdle of truth which bound them; for God never meant them to spend their energies in that form. And it was not an object which kept them from flagrant irregularities in the pursuit of it. The object which the Christian combatant is to have before him is not to have mere romance, but truth, binding truth, in it. That truth may be said to be connected with Christ's tomb, but not in a mere realistic way. It is imperatively demanded, now that Christ bas conquered on the cross, and that con- quest has been attested by an empty tomb, that in his Name souls everywhere should be delivered. And the Christian combatant does not gird himself to get possession of some sacred place or of some sacred relic, but to help men who are in the present guilt and tbraldom of sin toward their deliverance. 2. The breastplate. "And having put on the breastplate of righteousness." The idea in righteousness is that of a right relation to the Law of God. Righteousness worn as a plate over the heart is to be understood rather as the mind conscious of right. The Ubristian combatant is to be jealous over himself with a godly jealousy. He is to have nothing to do with insincerity, but is to _study reality. He is not to have selfish motives, but is to be thoroughly disinterested. He is not t-0 have feelings of grudgiug malice, but is to be just and compasrionate. He is to be especially fired with a desire to glorify God. The man who is conscious of this may be said to have righteousness as a breastplate. 3. The sandcds. "And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace." The Christian combatant, having girded himself in the cause of truth, and being con- scions of no unworthy feeling, is next to put on the gospel sandals. It is that by which he is enabled to carry the good message. For that also belongs to the work of the battle-field. He puts on his shoes for the holy war. But in that war ho is not always closing with his adversary. '.l'here are times when he has to follow up an advantage. Nay, bis great business may be said to be to get ~is message delive_red, ~o cry aloud so that Satan's captives may hear. The message which he has to deliver 1s a message of peace. He fights, not for fighting's sake, but that the times pf peace may be ushered in. And as he thinks of his message, and enters into tho spirit of it, his sandals become promptitude, alacrity (according to the idea hero); he becomes swift- footed and speeds on with bis message. 4. The shield. "Withal taking up the shielcl of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one." As the Cbristian warrior runs swiftrfooted with his message of peace, there arc fiery darts thwwn at ]Jim. When any one is eminent in the ChriHtian coDflict, Satan is likely to r<1i6': u 1, a 6aini;t him traducers. Those who do not believe in disinterestedness arc ~ut 11, r:.ah 'JUt that he is serving himself. ']'hose who do not believe in earnestness ;, rd:'.0~J :c.r,, f.·1m ttJ circulate evil r~portB of him. It is worse when, in the very ,:_·.,,r.,:t:;- di,::; £;,idual feeling, he is laid open to wmr,tatione from his lusts. Or it ~:.;,y r,<; tha: L, •,<;ry rn= Jaye him open to the temptation of 11piritual pride. So 1: ."'.-~ v.:r.~. n Le wi:.,, ::,ad bcsc:n \'ic:t(,rious in many a sr,iritual eunflict was tcmptc,\ (it ie t.<:'1 fr;,t ~atan rrov,,ked him) to number the people. An,\ the dart thrown at him en. v1. 1-2•J.J THE EPISTLE 'l'O THE EPHESIAl-i'S. 283