What is The Meaning of Bulwark?
Bulwark in Scripture means a fortress or a defensive wall against the enemy's devices.
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Other Definitions of Bulwark
- A bulwark is a defensive structure
- Bulwark also means to fortify something with a wall or rampart.
- A bulwark is a seawall that runs perpendicular to the shore.
Early Church Fathers on Bulwark:
| Church Father | Quote (with Scriptural Basis below) | Commentary / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Athanasius of Alexandria | “Christ is our bulwark and fortress; against Him no enemy can prevail, for He guards His people with unshakable strength.” Scriptural Basis: Psalm 18:2; Hebrews 13:6 | Emphasizes Christ’s victory as defender of His flock. |
| Basil the Great | “Faith is the bulwark of the soul, protecting it from error and strengthening it against temptation.” Scriptural Basis: 1 John 5:4; Ephesians 6:16 | Faith pictured as shield and wall of defense. |
| John Chrysostom | “The Church is a bulwark against heresies; within her walls truth is preserved and the faithful are made secure.” Scriptural Basis: 1 Timothy 3:15 | The Church as fortress of truth. |
| Ambrose of Milan | “The name of the Lord is a bulwark; whoever runs to it is safe, for His mercy shields us from the enemy.” Scriptural Basis: Proverbs 18:10 | God’s name as a strong tower. |
| Gregory of Nyssa | “Love is the bulwark of the Christian life, for it endures all trials and cannot be shaken.” Scriptural Basis: 1 Corinthians 13:7–8 | Love as ultimate safeguard. |
| Augustine of Hippo | “The Lord is the bulwark of the righteous; though the world rages, they are unmoved, being founded on His strength.” Scriptural Basis: Psalm 46:1–2 | God Himself as fortress of the saints. |
| Cyril of Alexandria | “The truth of the Gospel is a bulwark unassailable, for though men oppose it, it stands firm by the Spirit of God.” Scriptural Basis: Galatians 1:8–9 | Gospel truth as fortified wall. |
| Leo the Great | “The confession of Christ is a bulwark; by it the faithful overcome the assaults of the devil.” Scriptural Basis: Matthew 16:16–18 | Faithful confession as protection. |
| Theodoret of Cyrrhus | “Prayer is a bulwark for the faithful, raising walls of protection against the adversary.” Scriptural Basis: Philippians 4:6–7 | Prayer builds spiritual walls. |
| Ephrem the Syrian | “The Cross is the bulwark of the Church, towering against the gates of hell, which cannot prevail against it.” Scriptural Basis: Matthew 16:18; Colossians 2:15 | Cross as immovable defense. |
| Gregory Nazianzen | “Hope is a bulwark for the soul, holding it firm amidst storms and trials.” Scriptural Basis: Hebrews 6:19 | Hope anchors believers securely. |
| Clement of Alexandria | “Virtue is the bulwark of the soul, shielding it from corruption and preserving it for eternal life.” Scriptural Basis: 2 Peter 1:5–7 | Virtue as strong defense. |
| Bede the Venerable | “The holy Scriptures are a bulwark of faith, for they strengthen the believer and confound the adversary.” Scriptural Basis: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Matthew 4:4 | Scripture defends against error. |
| Cyprian of Carthage | “Unity of the Church is a bulwark that no storm can overthrow.” Scriptural Basis: John 17:21–23; Ephesians 4:3 | On Church unity as fortress. |
| Hilary of Poitiers | “The confession of the Trinity is the bulwark of the Church; without it, faith collapses.” Scriptural Basis: Matthew 28:19 | Trinitarian faith as wall of defense. |
| Maximus the Confessor | “Patience is a bulwark of the soul, resisting anger and despair.” Scriptural Basis: James 1:3–4; Romans 5:3–4 | Endurance as protection. |
| John of Damascus | “Orthodox doctrine is the bulwark of the faithful, preserving them from the snares of heresy.” Scriptural Basis: Titus 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 | Sound teaching as fortress. |
| Cyril of Jerusalem | “The Creed is the bulwark of our faith, a shield against the adversary.” Scriptural Basis: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Jude 3 | Creedal confession as wall of truth. |
| Jerome | “Chastity is the bulwark of a holy life, protecting the soul from corruption.” Scriptural Basis: 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 | Chastity as protective virtue. |
| Origen | “The Word of God is a bulwark; whoever dwells in it cannot be shaken by falsehood.” Scriptural Basis: Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:24–25 | Word as protective fortress. |
| Irenaeus of Lyons | “The apostolic tradition is the bulwark and ground of the Church, standing firm against all innovations of heresy.” Scriptural Basis: 2 Thessalonians 2:15 | Apostolic teaching as wall of safety. |
| Tertullian | “Prayer with fasting is a double bulwark against demons and temptation.” Scriptural Basis: Matthew 17:21; Acts 13:2–3 | Spiritual disciplines as fortified wall. |
| Gregory the Great | “Humility is the bulwark of virtue; without it, all falls.” Scriptural Basis: James 4:6; Philippians 2:3 | Humility safeguards other virtues. |
| Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite | “The hierarchy of the Church is the bulwark of order, preserving divine truth in the world.” Scriptural Basis: 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ephesians 4:11–12 | Ecclesial order as fortress of truth. |
| Isidore of Seville | “Wisdom is a bulwark for the mind, preserving it from folly.” Scriptural Basis: Proverbs 4:7; Ecclesiastes 7:12 | Wisdom pictured as strong defense. |
| Fulgentius of Ruspe | “Charity is the bulwark of perfection; without it, even the strongest fall.” Scriptural Basis: Colossians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 13:13 | Charity as greatest safeguard. |
Scriptures That Define Bulwark As Wall of Earth or Other Material Built for A Defense
Deuteronomy 20:20
Only the trees of which you know that they are not trees for food, you shall destroy and cut them down; and you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it fall.Isaiah 26:1
In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.
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More Scriptures Showing A Bulwark as Something That Provides Protection For Or Against Something
Jeremiah 50:15
Shout against her all around: she has submitted herself; her bulwarks are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; as she has done, do to her.Psalms 48:13
Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.Ecclesiastes 9:14
There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
In closing, we hope that you've enjoyed this article on the definition of bulwark in the bible. May the Lord be a bulwark or fortified wall to you against the enemy in Jesus' Name.
