Verse 16
16. Above all Rather, over all, as protector.
Shield This was a broad sheet of wood, covered with leather, usually four feet in length and two in breadth, and, held in the left hand, covered about two thirds of the person.
Of faith Faith is here symbolized in its conservative power, warding off, according to the fulness of its strength, all the shafts of unbelief, infidelity, temptation, and sin. Nay, more, faith’s shield is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. These so-called darts were a sort of hammer or mallet, with a head filled with combustible material, ignited, and a handle wherewith to hurl it into the ranks of the opposing army. But St. Paul bids his soldier to quench these blazing missiles with his shield. Dr. Eadie tells us, prosaically, that the shield cannot so quench; it can only ward off the dart, which is quenched as it falls. But St. Paul’s shield of faith is made of better material, and is altogether a superior article to the old wooden-leathern shield; being not only incombustible, but itself able to do the quenching of the fiery darts.
Of the wicked Satan, the impersonation of evil, as Christ is the incarnation of good. And thence we know why his darts are fiery; not as alluding to our own burning lusts, but as emblems of infernal destruction. His mallet is dipped in the fire of gehenna, and its scorch is prelude to the everlasting burnings.
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