Diving into the words of St. Paul, St. John Chrysostom says…
6:13 “ ‘And having counteracted all things’, says he, meaning being ever armed against foul passions and lusts and all things else which trouble us. He speaks not merely of taking action, but of counteracting it, so as not only to slay, but t stand also after we have slain. For many who have gained this victory, have fallen again. ‘Having counteracted all things,’ says he, ‘all things’ - not having done one, and not the other. For even after the victory, we must stand. An enemy may be struck, but things that are struck revive again if we do not stand. But if, after having fallen, they rise up again, so long as we stand, they are fallen. So long as we waver not, the adversary rises not again. Put on the full armor of God.”
6:14 “ ‘Stand therefore, having girt your loins with truth,’ means that one ought to be lightly accoutered, in order that there be no hindrance at all in the running. ‘And having put on for yourselves the breastplate of righteousness.’ Even as the breastplate is invulnerable, in like manner is righteousness. And righteousness herein means, in general, the virtuous life. Such a life no one shall be able to throw down, but on the one hand many wound, but on the other hand no one cuts through him, no, not the devil himself.”
6:15 “Either he means this, that we should be ready for the Gospel, and should make use for our feet for this, and should prepare and make ready its way before it; or if not this, at least that we ourselves should be prepared for our exodus from this life. The readiness then is nothing else than the morally best life.”
6:16 “In this place he means not knowledge but that gift by which miracles are wrought…For as a shield is put before the whole body, as if it were a wall, even so this faith; for all things yield to it.” “By ‘the darts of the evil one’ he means temptations and foul desires. And ‘fiery’ he says, for such is the character of desires.”
6:17 “That is of your salvation. For he is fortifying them all around with armor as leading them on to war”… “He means either the Spirit, or else the spiritual sword, for by this all things are severed, by this all things are cu asunder, by this we cut off even the dragon’s head.”
