We continue our examination of the components of the Christian's armor, given in Eph. 6:10-18.
The Breastplate (v. 14)
This section of the soldier's armor covered him from his neck to his waist. The word for "breastplate" is thoraka, from which we get our word "thorax," the area of human anatomy between the neck and the abdomen which houses the heart and lungs. It was a solid piece of armor, connecting in some way to other scaled armor worn on the arms. The purpose of this piece of armor was to protect the soldier's vital organs. (See 1 Kings 22:34 for more information on the breastplate).
God has equipped His spiritual soldier with a breastplate of "righteousness." This term refers to "a condition that is acceptable to God; i.e., integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, correctness in thinking, feeling, and acting" [Thayer]. Commitment to living the kind of life God wants keeps one from being a slave to sin (Rom. 6:12-13) and makes one more like God (1 Jn. 3:7). There is one source of righteousness: the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16-17). When one "wraps his heart" in godliness and integrity, learned from the Scripture, he wears an iron vest which cannot be penetrated by the enemy.
The Shod Feet (v. 15)
Roman soldiers wore shoes equipped with studs or spikes to ensure good footing in the marches they undertook. They were always ready to go to battle. Thus, the emphasis on this piece of armor is "preparation." No soldier of Christ can either defend or attack without a readiness to fight.
God arms His soldier with "the gospel of peace." This may seem paradoxical to us...fighting battles with an instrument of peace. However, our Lord is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) who supplies that which surpasses all human wisdom (Phil. 4:7). His gospel is intended to bring all men to peace with the Creator (Eph. 2:14; Jn. 14:27; 16:33) and with each other in Him (Eph. 2:15-16).
No mention is made of a backside for the breastplate. Shoes are given for forward marching. The great battle for the soul is on...we must fight.
