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¹ “Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, ³ Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us. ⁴ He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. ⁵ Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure. ⁶ Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. ⁷ I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. ⁸ Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. ⁹ Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. ¹⁰ Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. ¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2)

A four point outline may be derived from Psalm 2. Take note of the following.

1. The Arrogant. 2:1-3. The psalmist gives an accurate description of sinful, human rebellion against the One, True God.  
2. The Almighty 2:4-6. The psalmist then presents the LORD’s divine reaction to arrogant, sinful rebellion.
3. The Anointed 2:7-9. The psalmist depicts the anointed One’s divine rule.
4. The Advice. 2:10-12. The psalmist cautions all humans in all levels of life to not only serve the LORD with fear but also to rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2 describes the Messiah’s incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection. The psalm is quoted in four New Testament passages.

Acts 4:23–28 (ESV) says, “²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? ²⁶ The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— ²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”  

Luke attributes Psalm 2 to King David. The setting is when the Jewish leadership released the Apostle Peter and John following their arrest for healing a lame beggar and for preaching the Gospel in the Temple (Acts 3:1-4:22). The early church saw obvious parallels in what King David wrote and the persecution they were experiencing.

Secondly, Acts 13:32-33 (ESV) says “³² And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, ³³ this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”

Luke records Paul and Barnabas’ preaching the Gospel in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:13-52). Paul cited Psalm 2 to his Jewish audience in the synagogue (Acts 13:14-16) as being fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, Hebrews 1:1–5 (ESV) says , “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³ He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. ⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?”

The writer of Hebrews expressed the truth of the eternality, incarnation, crucifixion and exaltation of the Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:9).  The text also describes the unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son.  

Finally, Hebrews 5:5 (ESV) says, “⁵ So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”

By quoting  Psalm 2:7, the writer further explains that Jesus Christ’s incarnation, and His priesthood were both by God the Father’s divine appointment (cf. John 8:54). Jesus’ humanity does not in any way diminish His eternal deity. or alter the essential equality within the Trinity (cf. John 10:30; 14:9–11). Psalm 2 acknowledges the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as both King and Messiah. Jesus Christ is the King-Priest.

May Psalm 2, and each of the New Testament references to the same, enrich your Advent season this year. May each of us have a greater understanding that Jesus Christ is the Anointed Son of God who came to earth to fulfill the Father’s sovereign will for our salvation.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:44–48 (ESV)

The title for today’s blog is The Witness of Scripture. Among other definitions, a witness is one who pledges to tell the truth about a particular subject. Truth is that which reflects reality.

The biblical text today is taken from Luke 24:44-48. This is the gospel writer’s account of Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples when He appeared to them following the testimony of His appearance to the two Emmaus Disciples (Luke 24:13-35). This would chronologically be the first of three commissions by Jesus recorded in the New Testament (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-8).

Jesus instructed His disciples then, and disciples today, that His eternality, incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection and eternal reign was not just spoken by Himself but also revealed by Scripture. Within the immediate context of Luke 24, Scripture, or the Old Testament, refers to the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. This is the three-fold division of the OT Hebrew Bible.

Today’s text says that Jesus opened (διανοίγω; dianoigo) diagnosed, or explained to His disciples so they could understand His death on the cross followed by His bodily resurrection. It was through this work by the Lord that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. It is to this gospel, or good news, that disciples in Christ continue to be witnesses of even to this day and age.

Dr. John Walvorrd, former President of Dallas Theological Seminary, writes, “Jesus showed His followers all the facts written … in the Old Testament about the Messiah. The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms are the three divisions of the Old Testament sometimes referred to in Jesus’ day. (More often, however, Moses and the Prophets were said to comprise the OT; e.g., v. 27.) In other words He showed them from different parts of the Old Testament (e.g., Deut. 18:15; Pss. 2:7; 16:10; 22:14–18; Isa. 53; 61:1) that He is the Messiah and that He must suffer and rise from the dead (Luke 24:46; cf. v. 26). Because of His death and resurrection, the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins could be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem for they were witnesses of His death and His rising from the dead.”

It is our goal during this 2021 Advent Season to particularly examine what the Psalms record about the person and work of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When next we meet, we will begin studying Psalm 2. I encourage you to read this psalm which Acts 4:25-26 attributes to King David, attesting to the interpretive principle that Scripture interprets Scripture.  

Soli deo Gloria!

Having just concluded the Book of Ephesians, it is time to focus our attention on the Advent Season. Advent, from the Latin adventus meaning “coming or arrival.” It is the Latin translation of the Greek parousia.

In the New Testament, this is the term used for the coming of the Christ or Messiah. The annual season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the “coming of Christ” from three different perspectives.

The first is the physical incarnation or birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem of Judea (Micha 5:2; Luke 1:25-38; 2:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25). It is the celebration also known as Christmas.

The second perspective is the reception of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in the heart of the believer (John 1:12-13). God accomplishes this by grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:1-0).   

The third perspective is the soon eschatological or Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is when the Savior returns to earth in power, might and glory (Matthew 24-25; Revelation 19-22) to establish His eternal kingdom.

Of the many Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, the collection known as The Psalms contains several significant passages related to the coming Savior and Lord. It is to these particular passages, seventeen in all, that we will give our attention to in the several weeks. All but one of the seventeen references to which i refer is either recited, or referred to, in the New Testament.

The entire collection of Psalms is entitled “Praises” in the Hebrew text. Jewish Rabbis often designated it “The Book of Praises.” The Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the OT, labeled it “Psalms” (cf. “The Book of Psalms” in the NT: Luke 20:42; Acts 1:20). The Greek verb from which the noun “psalms” comes basically denotes the “plucking or twanging of strings,” so that an association with musical accompaniment is implied. The English title derives from the Greek term and its background. The Psalms was/is Israel’s ancient, God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) “hymnbook,” which defined the proper spirit and content of worship of the One, True God: Yahweh.

It is helpful to recognize certain recurring genres or literary types in the Psalter. Some of the most obvious are: 1) the wisdom type with instructions for right living; 2) lamentation patterns that deal with the pangs of life (usually arising from enemies without); 3) penitential psalms (mostly dealing with the “enemy” within, i.e., sin); 4) thanksgiving psalms; and (5) kingship (universal or mediatorial; theocratic and/or messianic rule).  It is to these Messianic Psalms that we are going to give our focus.

It is my prayer that our study of The Savior in the Psalms will deeply enrich your 2021 Advent Season. May each of us gain a deeper understanding of the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in all three of its biblical aspects.

Soli deo Gloria!

²³ “Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” (Ephesians 6:23–24 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul’s concluding thoughts in his Epistle to the Ephesians place great emphasis on four words. They are not unfamiliar words to the church. They are not unfamiliar words in this epistle or any other of Paul’s epistles. Yet, we may be so familiar with the words peace, love, faith and grace that they do not make the impact upon us as they once did. Hopefully, that will not be the case when we conclude this study today.

Peace be to the brothers. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) means tranquility and a freedom from worry. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life (Gal. 5:22). Peace originates solely from God the Father surpasses all human understanding along with guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). Peace is the result of being justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 1:1-2). It was this peace that Paul was extending to his brothers in Christ.

And love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Love (ἀγάπη; agape) is the self-sacrificial love of the will which is sourced in God alone. It also is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is this love which distinctly sets apart the believer in Christ from the world (John 13:34; I John 2:15-17; 4:7-11). Along with being a fruit of the Holy Spirit, agape love is also from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul writes that agape love is to be combined with a sincere faith. Faith (πίστις; pistis) is a trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, the object of the believer’s faith is sourced in the Gospel. It is the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Grace (χάρις; charis) is the Lord’s unmerited favor to sinners who rightly deserve His justice. However, instead of justice the believer in Christ receives grace and forgiveness. Who received the justice the sinner deserved? The Lord Jesus while on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21). This is the essence of substitutionary atonement.

This wonderful benediction summarizes the major themes of Paul’s letter. The apostle reminds the church, then and now, the importance of peace (v. 15; 1:2; 2:14–15, 17; 4:3), love (1:15; 4:2, 15–16; 5:25, 28, 33), faith (6:16; 1:15; 2:8; 3:12, 17; 4:5, 13) and the grace (2:8) from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God reminds believers of these truths, lest they be forgotten. May that never be.

Soli deo Gloria!

²¹ “So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.” (Ephesians 6:21–22 (ESV)

We have come to the penultimate article in our study of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. I trust you have enjoyed this exegetical examination of this wonderful portion of God’s Word.

As with many of Paul’s letters, he often concludes with the mention of his fellow workers of the gospel. Today’s text is no exception. The fellow worker Paul refers to is Tychicus.

Paul describes Tychicus as a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord. What a testimony of this believer’s relationship to his fellow Christians and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Who among us would not want to be known as beloved and faithful?  

Tychicus was one of the believers who accompanied Paul in his trip to collect and deliver the offering for the Jerusalem church (Acts 20:4). Since he is often mentioned with Trophimus of Ephesus, Tychicus was likely also a native of that city.

As today’s text indicates, he served as the courier for Paul’s letter to Ephesus (Eph. 6:21). Tychicus also brought Paul’s letters to Philemon and the Colossians (Col. 4:7). Paul certainly trusted Tychicus, otherwise he would not have given him such an important responsibility.

Most believe that Tychicus was also one of the two Christians (with Trophimus) who accompanied Titus in the delivery of 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:16–24). Paul mentioned Tychicus twice in his later letters. He first mentioned sending him to Crete to be with Titus (Titus 3:12). Paul later mentioned to Timothy that he had sent Tychicus to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:12). Evidently, Tychicus and Paul were close friends as well as coworkers, since Paul frequently referred to Tychicus as a “beloved brother.

How may you cultivate a reputation of being beloved and faithful? Take time today to ask the Lord to reveal to you what steps you may take to perpetuate such godly character. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience.

1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law;^a and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin,^b from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation;^c as also in their free access to God,^d and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.^e All which were common also to believers under the law;^f but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected;^g and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace,^h and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.ⁱ 

a. Gal 3:13; 1 Thes 1:10; Titus 2:14. • b. Acts 26:18; Rom 6:14; Gal 1:4; Col 1:13. • c. Psa 119:71; Rom 8:1, 28; 1 Cor 15:54-57. • d. Rom 5:1-2. • e. Rom 8:14-15; 1 John 4:18. • f. Gal 3:9, 14. • g. Acts 15:10-11; Gal 4:1-3, 6-7; 5:1. • h. Heb 4:14, 16; 10:19-22. • i. John 7:38-39; 2 Cor 3:13, 17-18.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

“… ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20)

The Apostle Paul reminds his readers, not only the Ephesians believers in the immediate context but also believers today, that he was a prisoner for the gospel when he wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians. This is why this letter, along with Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are identified as Paul’s Prison Epistles. They were all written during the apostle’s first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:11-31).

It is common for believers in the church to hold an elevated view of biblical characters. In spite of clear evidence to the contrary, some hold the perspective that believers in the Bible were never weak, afraid, anxious, or given over to sin. Or in the case of today’s text, that they battled timidity in sharing the gospel.

Paul was under house arrest while in Rome (Acts 28:23-31). He was able to receive visitors while he awaited his trial before Caesar. Acts 28:30-31 says, “³⁰ He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

However, even Paul was concerned that he speak and serve the Lord Jesus Christ as he should. He did not want to cower from boldly preaching the gospel in the face of opposition. Therefore, as he encouraged the Ephesian believers to pray for one another, he also implored them to pray for him.

He requested that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, He did not want to waste any opportunity to share the truth of God’s existence, sin’s existence, salvation’s existence and the existence of One Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The irony of Paul’s next statement should not be lost upon us today. Regarding the gospel Paul wrote, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. The apostle was a prisoner of Rome, but he did not see the gospel in chains. Regardless of where he was, or with whom, he desired to share the truth of the gospel. Nothing would hinder him in sharing the biblical truth of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “As an apostle, Paul may have been tempted more than other Christians to believe he could go it alone, that just he and Jesus together were enough to get the job done. In one sense, this would have been true. Jesus is the friend “who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). Even if all others desert us, Christ never leaves us or forsakes us, sustaining us by His Spirit in the most difficult circumstances (Heb. 13:5–6). Yet in another sense, we do not face the world with only Jesus beside us. The circumstances in which absolutely everyone might abandon us are few and far between, and God has redeemed us in union with other believers (Eph. 2:11–22). For all the church’s faults, we often do a good job of sticking together, supporting one another as we walk under the shadow of death in service to our King. Having just finished an epistle on the nature of the church, Paul was well aware of this fact and humble enough to request prayer for himself while he was in prison.”

 May each of us today pray for the boldness to share the gospel, regardless of the circumstances of life. May we also pray for one another to have the same boldness. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

I’ve entitled today’s blog Militant Prayer. The word prayer should not be unfamiliar. It is the biblical discipline, and privilege, of speaking to God. The believer in Christ is to pray not only for the purpose of adoring God, but also of confessing one’s sins, giving thanks and bringing requests to the Lord (Matthew 6:5-15).

However, the word militant may not be as familiar. The English word militant is both an adjective and a noun, and is generally used to mean vigorously active, combative and/or aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in “militant reformers”. It comes from the 15th century Latin “worrior” meaning “to serve as a soldier”. The related modern concept of the militia as a defensive organization against invaders grew out of the Anglo-Saxon word. In times of crisis, the militiaman left his civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his civilian occupation.

The current meaning of militant does not usually refer to a registered soldier. Rather, it can be anyone who subscribes to the idea of using vigorous, sometimes extreme, activity to achieve an objective, usually political.

However, the word militant can and may be applied to vigorously active and aggressive prayer. In today’s text, the phrase keep alert (ἀγρυπνέω; agrypneo) is the present active discipline of vigilant, watchful, attentive and cautious prayer. Along with the words praying, prayer, and supplication, it is one of four words the Apostle Paul uses in today’s text to stress the importance of the believer’s prayer life while in the midst of spiritual conflict.

The Lord calls upon all believers in Christ to not only pray for themselves, but also to pray for all the saints. Prayer is one more offensive weapon in the believer’s arsenal of weapons against sin and Satan.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Our ultimate reliance on Christ for success in spiritual warfare is underscored in today’s passage. The participial phrase used in Ephesians 6:18 (“praying at all times in the Spirit”) covers everything that comes before it. In so doing, it indicates that we don the armor of God — we clothe ourselves in Christ Himself — by consistent, persistent prayer. Praying at all times is nothing less than taking every opportunity to acknowledge our weakness and our need for the Lord’s mighty help against Satan. Prayerful dependence must be the consistent attitude of our hearts, both in difficult times that make us quick to run to God and when prosperous seasons tempt us to forget our need for Him. John Calvin writes, “Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass — on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing as praying both in prosperity and in adversity.”

Let each of us resolve today to be militant in our prayer lives. Never give up being a militant prayer warrior. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

It should be noted that of all the previously mentioned armaments the Christian has at their disposal, they are all defensive weapons by design. The only offensive weapon the believer in Christ possesses is the Word of God. What the Apostle Paul probably had in mind was the Roman sword. It was short and designed for hand to hand combat.

When the devil tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), the Lord repeatedly used the Word of God in His battle. Several prophecies teach that the words of the Messiah will be like a sharp sword (Isaiah 49:1-2; Revelation 1:16; 2:12-16; 19:15). All followers of Christ have this weapon at their disposal.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments, “Ancient Roman soldiers carried different weapons, and the sword Paul likely has in view is the short-handled sword used in offensive combat against the enemies of the Caesar’s legions. In the Christian life, this sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Commentators believe Isaiah 11:4 is an important background text here. The Messiah strikes “the earth with the rod of his mouth” in that prophecy, so Paul may be emphasizing the preached Word of God as our offensive weapon against Satan. This makes good sense, for as the Word is preached, sinners are rescued from the Devil’s grip and believers see the sins for which they need to repent.”

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “As the sword was the soldier’s only weapon, so God’s word is the only needed weapon, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s. The Greek term refers to a small weapon (6–18 inches long). It was used both defensively to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to help destroy the enemy’s strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.”

Soli deo Gloria!  

“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

The helmet (περικεφαλαία; perikephalaia) was a protective cap. Like today, a soldier’s helmet protects the head when fighting in battle.

A galea was a Roman soldier’s helmet. Some gladiators wore bronze galeae with face masks and decorations. The exact form or design of the helmet varied significantly over time, between differing unit types, and also between individual examples. Therefore, it is not certain to what degree there was any standardization of helmet design even under the Roman Empire.

As one commentator explains, “As the piece that protects the soldier’s head, the helmet is essential to keeping a soldier alive and conscious, thereby enabling him to continue in his mission.”

In today’s text, the Apostle Paul refers to the helmet of salvation. The believer in Christ must take to themselves this helmet. God commands us to do so.

Dr. R C. Sproul comments, “Again the Lord’s armor in Isaiah 59:17–19 lies in the background of this passage, for God Himself dons a helmet of salvation in that passage to fight against His enemies. This is an interesting image because the Lord certainly does not need to be saved from sin and death as we do. God’s donning of various armor pieces indicates who He is and what He intends to do.”

“The Lord put on His helmet of salvation in Isaiah’s day to show both the nation of Israel and the entire world that He is salvation itself and that redemption would be accomplished in line with His purposes. For us to put on the helmet of salvation, then, indicates more than our rescue from sin and death.”

It also means that we arm ourselves with the ability and desire to proclaim to the ends of the earth that salvation is from the Lord. Furthermore, it demonstrates that we will work to accomplish His purposes for the church, the first fruits of God’s redemption, in line with the instructions of the Lord. All of these points, of course, are outlined in Ephesians (Eph. 2; 4:17–32; 5:1–6:9).”

A nation’s soldier dons their helmet in order to protect themselves in battle. Believers in Christ must don their helmet of salvation in order to protect themselves while in the midst of the spiritual warfare they encounter. Make sure you have your helmet on today.

Soli deo Gloria!