The Armour of God is such a powerful image. It is a very physical representation of our spiritual need to protect ourselves from, as it states, the fiery darts of the wicked. For today’s blog, I hope to provide some context to the imagery so that you might better understand the message. We should not read too much into the analogies that are made between the armour and their spiritual equivalents. It is not like roman armour was designed specifically with Christian principles in mind. Paul is making a comparison that may not be perfect, but it gets the point across.

Barns Notes states the following:

“with truth – It may not be easy to determine with entire accuracy the resemblance between the parts of the armor specified in this description, and the things with which they are compared, or to determine precisely why he compared truth to a girdle, and “righteousness” to a breast-plate, rather than why he should have chosen a different order, and compared righteousness to a girdle, etc. Perhaps in themselves there may have been no special reason for this arrangement, but the object may have been merely to specify the different parts of the armor of a soldier, and to compare them with the weapons which Christians were to use, though the comparison should be made somewhat at random.”

The comparison is set out in the order that a roman soldier would put on their own armor. As Ellicott explains:

“It nearly corresponds with the invariable order in which Homer describes over and over again the arming of his heroes. First the belt and the corselet, which met and together formed the body armour; then the sandals; next the shield, and after this (for the strap of the great shield could hardly pass over the helmet) the helmet itself; then the soldier was armed, and only had to take up the sword and spear. It is curious to note that St. Paul omits the spear (the pilum of the Roman soldier)—exactly that part of his equipment which, when on guard within, the soldier would not be likely to assume”

MacLaren comments “He is to be fully equipped first: he is to take up his position second. We may note that, in all the list of his equipment, there is but one weapon of offence-the sword of the Spirit; all the rest are defensive weapons.”

Let’s take a look at each of the images:

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:14- LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”

Ellicott points out that there is an obvious reference to two passages of Isaiah (Isaiah 11:5; Isaiah 59:17), “Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins,” “He put on righteousness as a breastplate.” Truth and righteousness are virtually identical, or, at least, inseparable. Hence they are compared to the strong belt, and the breastplate continuous with it, forming together the armour of the body.

In Luke 12:35 we read ‘Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.’  1 Peter 1:13 says ‘wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought…”

This expression ‘gird up your loins’ shows up numerous times in the scriptures and is often used to express the idea of being ready. Exodus 12:11, for example, when the Israelites are being ready to leave Egypt we read ‘thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover’’.

The reference to truth can mean that we should have an understanding of the gospel truths, but it also refers to honesty and sincerity. When in the heat of the battle, is it your nature to always be truthful and without guile.

Barnes explains:

“Having your loins girt about – The “girdle, or sash,” was always with the ancients an important part of their dress, in war as well as in peace. They wore loose, flowing robes; and it became necessary to gird them up when they traveled, or ran, or labored. The girdle was often highly ornamented, and was the place where they carried their money, their sword, their pipe, their writing instruments, … The “girdle” seems sometimes to have been a cincture of iron or steel, and designed to keep every part of the armor in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side.”

Ephesians 6:14‘THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”

As was stated earlier, truth and righteousness go hand in hand. Isaiah 59 expresses God as coming forth with his righteousness as a breastplate, or coming arrayed in the glittering armor of righteousness (Isaiah 59:17). Putting on the breastplate requires effort as well as faith. It is designed to protect the vital organs, so metaphorically, your righteousness protects your heart which is to say, your thoughts and intents.

The message Paul is trying to get across is that our thoughts lead to action, so the only way to ensure the thoughts and intents of our heart are true is through righteous living. Believing is not enough; if we are to remain faithful, we must live a righteous life of obedience to the commandments.

I do not believe we should confuse the ‘breastplate ofrighteousness’ with ‘robes of righteousness’ in Isaiah 61.  The breastplate is something we put on ourselves, the robes however are placed on us by God himself and are a temple reference to the robes that Aaron is given in Exodus. For the former, it is a metaphor to our own behavior, for the latter, it is the endowment of righteousness from God.

As MacLaren states, “The breastplate of righteousness is our defense against evil. The opposition to temptation is best carried on by the positive cultivation of good. A habit of righteous conduct is itself a defense against temptation.”

Ephesians 6:15. FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”

This image has always been a bit confusing to me. What exactly is the preparation of the gospel of peace? It would make better sense if it stated ‘feet shod for the preaching of the gospel of peace’ which would tie in nicely with Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace”. Ellicott grapples with the passage by suggesting various interpretations but then dismisses them as ‘inappropriate’ and ‘hardly intelligible’. He concludes ‘preparation’ should be rendered as ‘foundation’ or ‘base’ (in Daniel 11:7; Ezra 2:6; Ezra 3:3; Zechariah 5:10; Psalm 88:14) ”. This could have the idea of that our foundation is the gospel of peace. We are to stand firm and constant in our testimony and knowledge of the gospel.

The caligœ, or sandals, of the Roman soldiers were heavy sandals studded with hobnails, to give a secure foothold to those who would stand firm. Based on this image, the passage would read ‘feet shod with the footing of the gospel of peace.” In other words, the imagery of the footwear is that it provides firm footing in the gospel, it allows you to stand firm. The roman soldiers shoe had cleats that allowed them to hold their ground and push the enemy back. Their enemy’s shoes, if they had any at all, would have been smooth leather with no grip at all.

Wikipedia: The open design of caligae allowed for the free passage of air to the feet and, unlike modern military boots, was specifically designed so as to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming during forced marches, as well as other disabling foot conditions like tinea or trench foot. Socks were not normally worn with caligae, although in colder climates such as Britain, woolen socks were used.

Caligae were constructed from three leather layers: an outsole, the middle openwork layer which formed the boot’s upper, and an insole. They were laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle. Additionally iron hobnails were hammered into the soles to provide the caligae with reinforcement and traction, and were also an effective weapon against a fallen enemy.

My Isaiah connection would have quite a different meaning, that of marching forth into battle. MacLaren gives his own interpretation: “Taking the whole clause, we may paraphrase it by saying that the preparedness of spirit, the alacrity which comes from the possession of a Gospel that sheds a calm over the heart and brings a man into peace with God, is what the Apostle thinks is like the heavy hob-nailed boots that the legionaries wore, by which they could stand firm, whatever came against them.” He goes on to list the following qualities of this piece of armor:

• the Gospel brings peace
• the Gospel of peace will prepare us for the march
• the Gospel of peace prepares us for combat

Finally, Barnes argues that ‘prepared with the gospel  of peace’ suggests that we are to be prepared with the gospel of peace;  ever ready to preach the gospel.

Ephesians 6:16. TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH

16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The Romans used three types of shields. A small shield called the parma carried on the arm which could be moved to protect various parts of the body during hand to hand combat. A mid sized shield, the cetratus or cetra, was a light shield of wood and leather, and used by tribesmen from Hispania, Mauretania, and Britannia. The larger shield, the scotum, was planted in front of the soldier and covered the entire front of the soldier. It is this latter shield that is referenced in Ephesians. It lends well to the pattern of standing firm, unmovable. It is this larger shield that is used when confronting an army of archers. In hand to hand combat solders uses the smaller shield to block blows from swords or clubs; in such close quarters, neither side would be at risk of being hit by an arrow because they would also be at risk of friendly fire. Paul’s imagery is for protection from arrows, not swords, consequently this is not a soldier in active battle but rather to the soldier standing firm in a defensive position. Our faith acts as a great wall.

Some interpret ‘above all else’ to suggest that faith is more important than any other protection. MacLaren argues that it should be read as ‘in addition to all these other things’. Ellicotts commentary considers that first expression ‘Above all’ should be read ‘over all’ and refers to the size of the shield. So rather than saying that it is more important than all the other armor mentioned, it is saying, the shield covers all your armor. This way, the fiery darts will be easily blocked by the shield which would be planted on the ground. (picture). He refers to this faith as the faith of patience and endurance rather than the energetic faith of Hebrews 11.

It is a double defense.  The shield protected the breastplate, and the breastplate protected the soldier. Faith, as well as righteousness, is your protection, or as James put it, ‘Faith without works is dead’ (James 1:5).

This is the only time a specific threat is mentioned, the fiery darts. One of the most dangerous projectiles was an arrows fitted with burning tar. It would not only injure, but burn as it stuck to your body. It may also refer to the practice of dipping arrows in infected blood or poison so that the injury would turn to infection and spread disease. Thus, faith can protect you from the most dangerous temptations and threats. I am reminded of the following references:

Mark 9 47: if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with open eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched for every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

James 3:6 the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell’.

Faith protects us from our appetites and passions, from our impatience, intolerance, addictions, and immorality. These human frailties emerge when we least expect them which is another point Paul is expressing. The fiery darts in battle come unannounced. It is the temptations that come unexpected that show our true nature. Pestilence, it is said, walks in darkness. Barns provides the following list:

(1) That they come suddenly, like arrows sped from a bow;

(2) They come from unexpected quarters, like arrows shot suddenly from an enemy in ambush;

(3) They pierce, and penetrate, and torment the soul, as arrows would that are on fire;

(4) They set the soul on fire, and enkindle the worst passions, as fiery darts do a ship or camp against which they are sent.
Additionally, the shield does not just block these temptations, but actually quenches them. When the flaming arrow hits our shield of faith, our faith extinguishes the fire altogether. Through faith, our temptations are vanquished. That is quite a remarkable promise, and is a good measure of our faith. If we are still beset with temptations, then we are not exerting faith. We exert faith by making righteous living a part of our nature. “the spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually’. Mosiah 5:2.

Further, the verse tells us that we ourselves, through our faith, are quenching the fiery darts. God does not do it for us, rather he provides us the strength to overcome sin on our own to that point that we have no desire to continue.  Therefore, just as we should not confuse the breastplate of righteousness with the robes or righteousness, we should not confuse the shield of faith with the shield of God. Psalms 84:11 ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield.’ In this verse, the shield is God’s grace and glory, given to those who walk uprightly. Paul’s shield is something we take up ourselves.

The only way to meet Satan’s assaults is by the shield of faith; by confidence in God, and by relying on His tender mercies. It is not by our own strength; and, if we have not faith in God, we are wholly defenseless. We should have a shield that we can turn in any direction, on which we may receive the arrow, and by which it may be put out.

Ephesians 6:17. TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 we read: “Putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation”

The armor can be divided into three categories:

• Integuments, or the outer protective layer: breastplate, girdle and shoes
• Defensive armaments – helmet and shield
• Offensive weapons – sword and spear

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Dictionary)

The spiritual armor divided into three categories:

• Graces of truth, righteousness and preparedness which we exercise of or own volition
• Faith rooted in three preceding graces and is a transition into the gifts from god which are
• The sprit or word of God, and Salvation

There is a progression from man to God with faith acting as the connecting sinew. No amount of truth, righteousness and preparedness will save you. We are saved by grace through faith, but we gain access to this grace when we work out our salvation through faith rather than rote obedience.

With salvation, it is something we are to take or perhaps more accurately, receive. We do not put it upon ourselves of our own accord, but it is dependent upon God’s grace. Further, salvation protects the most noble and vital part of our body, our head.  (Ellicotts commentary for English readers)

Salvation is God’s work and glory and his chief purpose, the capstone of his eternal plan which is why it would be symbolized by the cap of the armor. This salvation is received, but also hoped for. To hope in the scriptural sense, is to anticipate. It is not hope so, but know so. There is a spiritual progression that moves from believe, to faith, to hope and finally to charity. We begin our journey by believing, and this seed grows through obedience to the principles of the gospel which is the exercising of faith. Through faith we gain a spiritual witness which gives us hope. As an example, by learning to forgive others and to be kind, you gain a witness that this approach is what God intends. When a difficult situation arises, we exercise faith and treat a person who intends us harm with forgiveness and kindness. Then we are both edified and we now have a hope that whenever such a situation arises, we know how to behave.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul reiterates this concept: “ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

The Roman helmet was made of thick leather or brass, crowned with a plume or crest as an ornament. It design, obviously, was to protect the head from blows by swords and other hand-held weapons. The head represents your mind as well as courage and fortitude and the seat of sight. Luke 21:28 “Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”. Our most vital part is protected by a hope of salvation. The Arabic version, interestingly, records it as ‘the helmet of the Savior’.

Ephesians 6:17. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD

 The sword, as has been noted, is the only offensive piece of the armor.

This verse clarifies a misconception that among many bible readers. The word of God, rather than being the bible, is revelation. The bible, as scripture, is a record of inspired people who receive the word of God through revelation. The imagery here is that we respond to challenges by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  To understand how this is manifested, we look to Paul’s qualifiers of the gifts of the spirit: 2 Cor 6:6 “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;”

Ellicott explains that, “but unlike the rest of the defensive armour, it does not become a part of himself, but is absolutely of God. The passage reminds us at once of Hebrews 4:12 : “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”

The Roman soldier used the bow, the spear or the battle-ax. The sword was the premier weapon. It was short and two edged, resembling a dagger. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown points out that the two-edged sword cuts both ways, ‘striking some with conviction and conversion, and others with condemnation (Isa11:4, Re 19:15)’

Matthew Pool comments that the weapon is the spirit and therefore the enemy is spiritual. We find in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of  soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

TAKE ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

We are left with the image of a humble and kind faithful Christina who stands firm in their faith, responding to spiritual attacks my seeking guidance through the spirit. It is certainly not an image of someone forcing their religion on others. The war is against temptation, not differing beliefs. As Paul explains: 2 Cor 6:6 “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;”

References as found on biblehub.com

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Bengel’s Gnomen
Benson Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Expositor’s Greek Testament
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
MacLaren’s Expositions
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Matthew Poole’s Commentary
Meyer’s NT Commentary
Pulpit Commentary
Vincent’s Word Studies