ACC ~ Ephesians 6 v17b

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. JOHN CASSIAN: This is the sword that for our health spills the noxious blood that animates the matter of our sins, cutting out and excising whatever it finds in our soul that is carnal or earthly and, once it has made us dead to vices, causing us to live to God and flourish in spiritual virtues. CONFERENCES 20.8.11.

THE WORD OF GOD IN US. THEODORET: By “the sword of the Spirit” he means the activity of the Spirit. This is the Word of God. This means that just as God fashioned all by the Word, so the most Holy Spirit effects all that has to do with our salvation. With this sword the spiritual person rebukes the devil, and the devil flees. EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 6.17.