Soldiers of Christ, arise (StF 637)
- Authors & translators:
- Wesley, Charles
- Metre:
- 66.86.D. Double Short Metre
- Composers & arrangers:
- Naylor, Edward Woodall
- Source:
- Singing the Faith: 637 (CD26 #12)
- Verses:
- 4
- STF Number:
- 637
Further information
The verses of this hymn are taken from a much longer hymn that also includes the verses commencing with "Pray, without ceasing, pray" (StF 528). The four verses of "Soldiers of Christ, arise" are verses 1,2,4 and 16 of the original.
The complete text was originally published as an appendix to John Wesley's tract, "The Character of a Methodist" and had the heading: "The whole armour of God, Ephesians 6". Taken together, the verses of "Soldiers of Christ, arise" and "Pray without ceasing, pray" primarily draw on Ephesians 6:10-20. In addition, these four verses allude to Romans 8:37 (Verse 1); Philippians 4:13 and 1 John 5:5 (Verse 2); 1 Peter 4:1 (Verse 3); Psalm 84, Colossians 1:13, Revelation 22:17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (Verse 4).