Let's use the rest of the context from Matthew:
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him,
Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Jesus wasn't condeming all uses of the sword. He was condemining that
specific action at that time and place. He admonished His disciple to not try to use violence to stop His ordained mission, which was to die on the cross. If Jesus wanted to escape the crucifixion He could call upon the angels to smite the soldiers; He didn't need the disciple's sword. But that wouldn't fulfill the Scriptures.
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Paul was preaching about
spiritual conflict. That conflict can't be fought with weak physical bodies and minds. It has to be fought in the strength of the Holy Spirit. It has nothing to do with earthly armies fighting each other.
Ephesians 6
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
BTW, it's interesting that JW's didn't take the "anti-war" stance until 60 years
after their founding. They didn't come up with that belief until 1939 (conveniently in time to avoid service in World War II). At least Moravians, Mennonites, Quakers, and Amish always stuck with their pacifism consistantly. They also don't mind calling upon the police to use
their physical force for the protection of JW's.
Got to go for now, but I will answer the rest later.