An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

The Second Part.

Vers. 10. Finally my Brethren, bee strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

The other part of the Chapter contains the conclusion of the Epistle; which hath in it four points. In the first hee exhorts them to constancy in Faith and Holiness of life, and to put on the spiritual armor against our ene∣mies, with whom wee must grapple as long as wee live, Brethren (saith hee) bee yee strengthened in the Lord. The Arguments to press on this Exhortation are three.

Argum. 1. Because they have communion with the Lord, in whom is power and strength, in whom, if yee continue by Faith, and make use of his Grace, hee will bee ready to help you, with his power and effectual ope∣ration; that so you will both dare to venture on, and bee able valiantly to oppose all your enemies and hinde∣rances: Therefore bee yee strengthened in the Lord.

Vers. 11. Put on the whole Armour of God, that yee may bee able to stand against the wiles of the De∣vil.

Argum. 2. Because you are armed with all sorts of weapons, which are necessary for your war; which wea∣pons hee exhorts them to put on, that they may bee able to stand in the fight against the Devils assaults and treachery.

Vers. 12. For wee wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiri∣tual wickedness in high places.

Argum. 3. Because our strife is not meerly with men, or against our own flesh, or against men onely (such a fight might seem tolerable) but wee are to fight a∣gainst the author of all these evils, the Devil, and the whole army of unclean spirits, who are no weak and or∣dinary souldiers, but all of them principalities and powers, or spirits which bear rule over worldly men: and govern the wicked (who are here and elsewhere cal∣led darkness) and stir them up against us: these also as they are very powerful and very crafty, so they are most wicked and malicious: And lastly, they are spiritual, such as wee cannot discern with our eyes, and flye a∣bout in the open air, so that they can when they will set upon us at unawares, unless wee watch.

Vers. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may bee able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Here hee repeats the Exhortation, that they would put on the whole armour of God, that they might bee able to stand in the evil day, or the day of temp∣tation, and in the day of victory, expecting new on-sets of the enemy, and at length having overcome him, might triumph.

Vers. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the breast-plate of Righteousness.

Hee takes a similitude from bodily weapons, and names those helps against the Devil, which answer to bodily armour, fitted to defend us from, and to of∣fend the enemy; to this end hee bids every one stand, that is, keep himself within his general and particu∣lar calling, and watch against the enemy. The parts of the armour for the defence of the Truth, are seven.

Loyns] (1.) Constancy in the Doctrine of Truth, which hee compares to a girdle, which bindes the looser parts of the body that they do not fall asunder; for knowledge strengthens us, that wee do not waver through weakness.

Having on] (2.) The breast-plate of righteousness

by which wee understand the righteousness of Christ ap∣plied to us, which is alwayes accompanied with an en∣deavour after a holy life, and a good conscience; which as it were fortifies our breasts against the adversaries assault upon our faith, and manifests it to bee sin∣cere.

Vers. 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

(3.) A readiness of minde to acknowledge and ad∣vance the Gospel in our place, against all hindrances and difficulties; this is, to have our feet shod with the prepa∣ration of the Gospel.

Vers. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where∣with yee shall bee able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

(4.) The shield of faith, or trust in Christ, by which as by a shield are received, and kept off all those poysoned temptations of the Devil, which hee, our great enemy, doth brandish against us as his weapons.

Vers. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

(5.) The helmet of salvation, or a certain hope and assurance of our salvation, by which being armed and assured of the victory, wee may confidently continue the fight.

The sword] (6.) The sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God, wherewith drawing and brandishing it, wee may repell the Devil himself, and put him to flight.

Vers. 18. Praying alwayes with all prayer and suppli∣cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all Saints:

(7.) Prayer, wherewith a Christian souldier betaking himself to his General, Christ, begs his assistance, not once onely, but at any time when necessity urges; not coldly, and with his lips onely, but with a fervent Spirit; not faintly, as if hee feared not the enemy, but watching and attending to this duty with greatest earnestness; not for himself onely, but also for the whole Church, or for Gods whole Army, and for every one of the Saints, so far as hee shall bee acquainted with their neces∣sities.

Vers. 19. And for mee, that utterance may bee given unto mee, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel:

The second point of the Conclusion is an exhortation to pray for the Apostle, that God would inable him to declare and preach the Gospel, fully, plainly, and boldly.

Vers. 20. For which I am an Ambassadour in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

There are three Reasons of this Exhortation.

Reas. 1. Because for this very end I am sent an Apostle with Authority, that I may declare the Go∣spel.

In bonds] Reas. 2. Because I am held in bonds for the testimony given, in which it is necessary that God should confirm mee by means of your prayers.

As I ought] Reas. 3. Because it becomes mee wh•• ••m an Apostle to preach the Gospel with liberty of speech, and in a free manner.

Vers. 21. But that yee may also know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus a beloved brother and faithful Minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things.

22. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that yee might know our affairs, and that hee might comfort your hearts.

The third point is about the sending of Tychicus unto them, for which hee gives a reason from the end, viz. That so the Ephesians might bee acquainted with the Apostles business, and might receive comfort by reason of Gods presence with him in his bonds, and so might bee confirmed in the faith.

Vers. 23. Peace bee to the brethren, and love, with faith from God the Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ.

14. Grace bee with all them that love our Lord Iesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

(4.) Point is an Apostolical benediction, wherein under the form of a wish, hee prayes that peace and love, with faith, may bee still bestowed and commu∣nicated from God and Christ to the beleeving bre∣thren.

And then hee pronounceth grace on all those who love Christ with a sincere affection; which grace is the fountain of that faith which worketh by love, and by which wee have peace with God for ever.