13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Vs. 13 - “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. “
“Therefore...” - Look back at verse 12. We are in a struggle, a spiritual struggle - with Satan and the ‘forces of darkness’- his forces. These forces are arrayed against the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Knowing that, prepare yourselves for battle, spiritual battle.
This Sunday morning, our pastor’s message touched on this subject (tangentially). We read: “They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." (Mark 1:21-27)
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, and a man possessed by an evil spirit challenges Jesus. He was demanding to know what business Jesus had there, because it was his (the demon’s) town and his people. The demon was forcing a fight with Jesus - he got up into Jesus’ face, he wanted a little one-on-one face-off. The fight was over almost before it began. Jesus’ words, “Shut up. Leave him” ended the confrontation. The demon brought a sword to a gun fight. That is the battle we are engaged in.
“Take up the full armor of God” - Ephesus was not a military town as was Philippi. However, every citizen in Ephesus, and all around the Roman Empire would know and understand the imagery Paul is using. Rome, like most empires of that period of time was held together by brute force. The Roman legions and armies conquered nations. The Roman legions protected the empire from insurrection. The average citizen of that day would have seen the Roman soldiers move through the streets of their cities, and march across their countryside.
“so that you will be able to resist in the evil day” - Satan and his demons are working to destroy the church and Christians. They are working to destroy the influence of Christianity on the world. Satan and demons are far more powerful than you or I. They are not more powerful than Jesus Christ. We must be prepared with all the tools and power that Jesus supplies to us.
Vs. 14 - “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, “
“having girded your loins” - (Referenced to: Isa 11:5) An expression to prepare yourself for service or an activity. The “loins” are the area of the body between the waist line and the knees. This is the location of the strongest muscles of our body - thighs and buttox. This is the center of the human procreation - but that is not the emphasis here: “Get ready for battle!”
I remember playing football in high school. The coaches would remind us, “Don’t forget your jock strap and cup! Don’t forget the knee, thigh, and hip pads in the pants!” All of these were for our protection in this contact sport. Soldiers buckle on their ammo belts - which holds the items they will need in battle. Soldiers in Paul’s time would strap on the belt holding their swords or knives.
In scripture: The Hebrews were instructed to get ready to leave Egypt. The Passover meal was to be eaten while ready to leave in a moment. “Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste--it is the LORD’S Passover.” (Exo 12:11) Other calls to action: 1 Ki 18:46; 2 Ki 4:29.
God told Job, “Man up! You instruct Me!” (Job 38:3 - Job wisely declined the invitation.) Christians are told to ‘gird your minds for action’, and to ‘always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” (1 Pet 3:16)
“with truth” - Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32) Paul tells us the world “exchanges the truth for a lie.” (Rom 1:22-25)
And Paul says this: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (1 Tim 1:15-16)
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” (Note 1) “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
“having put on the breastplate of righteousness” - (Quoted from: Isa 59:17) Armor to protect the heart and lungs. (An ancient version of the modern ‘bulletproof’ Kevlar vest with ceramic plates.) The picture is God’s righteousness that protects your life in Him. It is not your personal righteousness, but the Lord’s which envelopes and protects you. “‘Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” (Jer 9:24)
We are reminded, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5)
Vs. 15 - “and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; “
“Having shod your feet with preparation of the gospel of peace“ - (Quoted from: Isa 52:7) There is no one in the world that would look at my feet and exclaim how beautiful they are. The image here is even the feet of the person who brings the “gospel of peace” are beautiful.
We are not going out into the world empty handed, but offering peace with God and the peace of God. (See: Phi 4:6-9) God brings a way of peace. (See: Isa 59:8) Jesus came to bring peace with God (See: John 14:27, 16:33, 20:21; Acts 10:36; 1 Cor 14:33)
An interesting side note: The nation of Israel travelled through the desert about 40 years during the exodus from Egypt - their sandals never wore out! God provided for them the whole time, even though they were a rebellious and stubborn people. He kept His promise to them. He will provide for us, as we go into the world to spread the Gospel of Peace.
Vs. 16 - “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. “
“taking up the shield of faith” - (See: 1 Thess 5:8) The shield is an additional piece of defensive gear that keeps the offensive objects away from the body. Breastplates, leg and arm pads protect at the skin surface. But the points of arrows, darts, spears can penetrate the breastplate and wound, if not kill, the soldier. Today, shields are not much of a defense against bullets, but are very effective against thrown objects. Look at the riots going on in American cities (ref. “George Floyd - Black Lives Matter” riots in May-June 2020) - the police are holding large shields against the bricks, bottles and rocks being thrown at them. Molotov cocktails or flaming arrows will set their clothes on fire - the shields keep these objects away from them.
God’s righteousness protects us, not our own. Faith in Christ will provide additional protection - not faith in ourselves. In the midst of the spiritual battle, when the slings and arrows are launched against us, tell the Lord, “My faith is in You, Lord!”
Vs. 17 - “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. “
“Take the helmet of salvation” - (See: Isa 59:17; 1 Thes 5:8) - Protection for the head and mind. Like the breastplate, the helmet is protection in battle. Salvation is not an emotional lunge, a mindless leap. See Rom 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” See also: Acts 15:11, 16:31). Even Jesus’ enemies demanded physical proof. (See: Luk 8:12) Throughout the Old Testament the people are admonished to follow God’s precepts, hold on to His testimonies, obey His commandments. See: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” (Psa 119:11)
“Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” - (See: Eph 5:26, Heb 6:5) This is the only weapon mentioned here. Our offensive weapon is not our intellect, nor our education. We must fight back using only scripture. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zech 4:6) Jesus Himself used this method when refuting Satan when tempted in the desert. (See: Matt 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13)
***Note 1: “Four Spiritual Laws”, Campus Crusade for Christ.
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