Ephesians 6:13-17

The Christian's Armor

Christians were urged by Paul to put on God's armor. He said they should stand their ground because the forces of evil were going to attack (1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:13). The "evil day" is a day of crises when the fight is on. One must prepare for a battle before it comes, not during the attack (6:13).

Soldiers in Paul's day girded their loins with a belt to hold things in place and allow freer movement. The truth is God's word and will make us free (John 17:17; John 8:32). The breastplate protected the vital organs of the chest region. Righteousness is the word of God, specifically his commandments (6:14; Psalms 119:172). To hold his ground in even the worst conditions, the Roman soldier wore hobnailed sandals. The Christian is prepared, or ready, for the battle when he has on his gospel shoes.

Actually, we can take the fight to the enemy with the good news that Jesus died to make men free (6:15; Romans 1:14-16; Mark 16:15-16). Lipscomb says the shield was two and one-half feet wide and four feet high. It was made of wood covered with thick leather on the outside. When the enemy fired flaming arrows, they bounced off the tough leather and dropped harmlessly to the ground. Faith, which is our shield, is produced by hearing God's word (6:16; Romans 10:17).

Lipscomb describes the Roman helmet as "a cap made of thick leather or brass, fitted to the head. It was used to guard the head from a blow by a sword, a war club, or a battleax." To learn the ways of salvation, the Christian must study the God-breathed, or spoken, word which is only found in scripture (2 Timothy 3:15-17). The sword was a defensive and an offensive weapon. It was used to deflect blows and pierce the opponent. God's word, as delivered by the Spirit, is the Christian's sword (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus knew its value and used it to turn aside Satan's assault in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Only through study can the Christian soldier learn how to properly handle this important weapon (6:17; 2 Timothy 2:15).