In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
16. Taking the shield of faith. Though faith and the word of God are one, yet Paul assigns to them two distinct offices. I call them one, because the word is the object of faith, and cannot be applied to our use but by faith; as faith again is nothing, and can do nothing, without the word.
Our life is warfare; our religion is still more so. We struggle against the powers of darkness and enemies bent on keeping us from God and heaven. A soldier needs both courage and arms. Our natural strength is perfect weakness; all sufficiency comes from God. We must fetch in grace and help from heaven by faith to do what we cannot do ourselves.
AI summary
Commenting on Ephesians 6:10-18
Above all, taking the shield of faith,.... Which may be understood either of the grace of faith, which is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial; and like a shield of mighty men, by which mighty things are done, and by which the believer not only repels, but conquers the enemy.