The Body Armor of God

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

2 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

What is the function of this verse in the context?

2 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

This verse is a further explanation of what is to be done in order to become strong enough to meet all enemies.

What is meant by ‘put on’ the armor?

The aorist imperative, which means to protect the vital organs is a military term given to troops.

Armor-

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition Like a Soldier

The cost of leadership is full devotion to duty and full attention to the task at hand. This holy detachment does not make the Christian culturally, politically, or economically irrelevant. The idea is not to look away from the issues of the day but to look beyond them to Christ, who is eternally relevant.

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition Like an Athlete

LIKE AN ATHLETE

Being a Christian in general, and being a Christian leader in particular, is also like being an athlete. If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. More than fair play is involved here. In public contests, the rules of the day often required a certain level of preparation on the part of competitors. In the original Olympic games, for example, competitors had to swear that they had trained rigorously for a designated number of months. Training, self-discipline, and preparation are required for the athletic arena; they are required also for the arena of faith.

Alone with God Pass or Fail?

I cannot say “deliver us from evil” if I do not put on the whole armor of God.

An Exegetical Summary of Ephesians 6:11

QUESTION—What is meant by ἐνδύσασθε ‘put on’ the armor?