Ephesians 6:14

στῆτε οὖν περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ὑμῶν ἐν�. The first part of the armour chosen out for special attention is ‘the girdle.’ To be well girt was the first condition of free and energetic action whether in peace or war (cf. Hort on 1 Peter 1:13). It is the mark of a servant expecting his master’s call (Luke 12:35). In Isaiah 11:5 the Girdle of the Messiah is described in parallel clauses first as ‘righteousness’ and then as ‘truth,’ in the sense of ‘truthfulness,’ ‘faithfulness to his promises,’ ‘trustworthiness.’ Here it is primarily ‘sincerity’—the opposite of hypocrisy or any form of unreality—as in Ephesians 5:9. It is specially important when evil is being regarded as ‘deceit’ and ‘falsehood’ to realize the necessity of inner truthfulness, and that primary requisite is provided in such a way that we can make it our own in Christ.

καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης. ‘The Breast-plate’ of the Divine Warrior in Isaiah 59:17 (cf. Wis 5:18) is ‘righteousness’ figuring in the first instance that ‘faithfulness to His covenant obligations’ which brings Him forth for the deliverance of His people from their oppressor, and which makes Him seek for a means of restoring the communion between Him and them when it has been interrupted by sin. ‘Righteousness’ as a quality in us is also (cf. Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 5:9) ‘faithfulness to covenant obligations,’ issuing in a consciousness of being in our right relation with God, and in the enjoyment of His favour. This also, as well as sincerity, is ours in spite of sin, in Christ; cf. Philippians 3:9. It is rightly described as a Breastplate because courage is rooted in a good conscience; cf. Proverbs 28:1. ‘The Righteous are bold as a lion,’ while ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all.’ In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 the Breastplate is Faith and Love.