“Be Strong in the Lord” (Eph 6:10). The Role of the Virtue of Fortitude in Christian Life in the Light of the Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians by St. Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

The article offers a comprehensive theological approach to the virtue of fortitude. The text examines the significance of the influence of grace on human ability to overcome difficulties when striving after goodness relying on Thomas Aquinas’s Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians. The grace of the Holy Spirit granted to the faithful works in human mind, relying on nature and purifying it elevates it to the supernatural level. Christians are given a full understanding of the end and a new way of acting. Christian fortitude is not so much an individual effort but the act of entering the dynamics of the mystery of Christ’s power, trust ( fiducia ) in His power, strategy and tactics. That is why, Christians receive the armor of God ( armatura Dei ) from Christ so that they can withstand “the powers of this dark world” (Eph 6:11:13–17). As our struggle is not only against “flesh and blood” but also “against the rulers and against the authorities” (Eph 6:12). Putting on the armor of God takes place through the grace of the Holy Spirit, mostly in the sacrament of confirmation ( sacramentum conformationis ). Every Christian is endowed with the benefits of election ( beneficium electionis ) and predestination ( beneficium praedestinationis ) in the Church, that is the community of believers, and in their presence he gives the testimony of faith and love. The spiritual struggle is a fight against the traps of the devil ( insidia Diaboli ) and spiritual forces of evil ( spiritualia nequitiae ), acting in the world and among other people who are on the side of evil and sin. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” ( confortamini in Domino et in potentia virtutis eius ) consists in being strong and ready to defense, always standing on the side of God. Christ’s fortitude is the result of His experience of the mystery of Passion, Death and Resurrection in the power of love. Christian fortitude is the fruit of joining Christ, the participation in his Mystery and in the community of the Church. Aquinas’s Commentary emphasizes that the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit is the sign of participation and conformity to Jesus Christ in the service of the Church and the Gospel.