What doth this "above all" point to? There is variety among interpreters about it. Jerome reads it, in all things taking the shield of faith; i.e. in all duties, enterprises, temptations or afflictions - in whatever you are called to do or suffer, take faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God. And how can the Christian ever please himself in that wherein he doth not please his God?
Others read it, "Over all, take the shield of faith;" i.e. take it over all your graces, as that which will cover them. All other graces have their safety from faith; they lie secure under the shadow of faith, as an army lies safe under the protection and command of a strong castle, planted round with cannons.
But, we shall follow our translation, as being most comprehensive – "Above all, take," etc.; that is, among all the pieces of armour which you are to provide and wear for your defence, let this have the pre-eminence of your care to get, and having got, to keep.
Now, that the apostle meant to give a pre-eminency to faith above the other graces is seen —
First — By the piece of armour that he compares it to – the shield. This, of old, was prized above all other pieces by soldiers. They counted it greater shame to lose their shield, that to lose the field, and therefore when under the very foot of their enemy, they would not part with it, but esteemed it an honour to die with their shield in their hand. It was the charge that one laid upon her son, going into war, when she gave him a shield, that he should either bring his shield home with him, or be brought hope upon his shield.
Second — By the noble effect that is here ascribed to faith - "by which ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." The other pieces are nakedly commended, "take the girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness," and so on… yet, when Paul speaks of faith, he ascribes the whole victory to it. This quenched "all the fiery darts of the wicked." Every piece hath its necessary use in the Christian's warfare, but their efficacy and our benefit from them is in their conjunction with faith. "Above all, taking the shield of faith."
William Gurnall.
This Page Title –The Christian's Spiritual Shield - from the Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 72 – placed on line May 2008 |