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Commentary on Ephesians 6 verses 10–18
Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. Is not our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves. "Finally, my brethren (Eph 6:10), it yet remains that you apply yourselves to your work and duty as Christian soldiers." Now it is requisite that a soldier be both stout-hearted and well armed. If Christians be soldiers of Jesus Christ,
I. They must see that they be stout-hearted. This is prescribed here: Be strong in the Lord, etc. Those who have so many battles to fight, and who, in their way to heaven, must dispute every pass, with dint of sword, have need of a great deal of courage. Be strong therefore, strong for service, strong for suffering, strong for fighting. Let a soldier be ever so well armed without, if he have not within a good heart, his armour will stand him in little stead. Note, spiritual strength and courage are very necessary for our spiritual warfare. Be strong in the Lord, either in his cause and for his sake or rather in his strength. We have no sufficient strength of our own. Our natural courage is as perfect cowardice, and our natural strength as perfect weakness; but all our sufficiency is of God. In his strength we must go forth and go on. By the actings of faith, we must fetch in grace and help from heaven to enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot do, in our Christian work and warfare. We should stir up ourselves to resist temptations in a reliance upon God's all-sufficiency and the omnipotence of his might.
II. They must be well armed: "Put on the whole armour of God (Eph 6:11), make use of all the proper defensitives and weapons for repelling the temptations and stratagems of Satan - get and exercise all the Christian graces, the whole armour, that no part be naked and exposed to the enemy." Observe, Those who would approve themselves to have true grace must aim at all grace, the whole armour. It is called the armour of God, because he both prepares and bestows it. We have no armour of our own that will be armour of proof in a trying time. Nothing will stand us in stead but the armour of God. This armour is prepared for us, but we must put it on; that is, we must pray for grace, we must use the grace given us, and draw it out into act and exercise as there is occasion. The reason assigned why the Christian should be completely armed is that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil - that he may be able to hold out, and to overcome, notwithstanding all the devil's assaults, both of force and fraud, all the deceits he puts upon us, all the snares he lays for us, and all his machinations against us. This the apostle enlarges upon here, and shows,
1.What our danger is, and what need we have to put on this whole armour, considering what sort of enemies we have to deal with - the devil and all the powers of darkness: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, etc., Eph 6:12. The combat for which we are to be prepared is not against ordinary human enemies, not barely against men compounded of flesh and blood, nor against our own corrupt natures singly considered, but against the several ranks of devils, who have a government which they exercise in this world. (1.) We have to do with a subtle enemy, an enemy who uses wiles and stratagems, as Eph 6:11. He has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls: hence he is called a serpent for subtlety, an old serpent, experienced in the art and trade of tempting. (2.) He is a powerful enemy: Principalities, and powers, and rulers. They are numerous, they are vigorous; and rule in those heathen nations which are yet in darkness. The dark parts of the world are the seat of Satan's empire. Yea, they are usurping princes over all men who are yet in a state of sin and ignorance. Satan's is a kingdom of darkness; whereas Christ's is a kingdom of light. (3.) They are spiritual enemies: Spiritual wickedness in high places, or wicked spirits, as some translate it. The devil is a spirit, a wicked spirit; and our danger is the greater from our enemies because they are unseen, and assault us ere we are aware of them. The devils are wicked spirits, and they chiefly annoy the saints with, and provoke them to, spiritual wickednesses, pride, envy, malice, etc. These enemies are said to be in high places, or in heavenly places, so the word is, taking heaven (as one says) for the whole expansum, or spreading out of the air between the earth and the stars, the air being the place from which the devils assault us. Or the meaning may be, "We wrestle about heavenly places or heavenly things;" so some of the ancients interpret it. Our enemies strive to prevent our ascent to heaven, to deprive us of heavenly blessings and to obstruct our communion with heaven. They assault us in the things that belong to our souls, and labour to deface the heavenly image in our hearts; and therefore we have need to be upon our guard against them. We have need of faith in our Christian warfare, because we have spiritual enemies to grapple with, as well as of faith in our Christian work, because we have spiritual strength to fetch in. Thus you see your danger.
2.What our duty is: to take and put on the whole armour of God, and then to stand our ground, and withstand our enemies.
(1.)We must withstand, Eph 6:13. We must not yield to the devil's allurements and assaults, but oppose them. Satan is said to stand up against us, Ch1 21:1. If he stand up against us, we must stand against him; set up, and keep up, an interest in opposition to the devil. Satan is the wicked one, and his kingdom is the kingdom of sin: to stand against Satan is to strive against sin. That you may be able to withstand in the evil day, in the day of temptation, or of any sore affliction.
(2.)We must stand our ground: And, having done all, to stand. We must resolve, by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we distrust our cause, or our leader, or our armour, we give him advantage. Our present business is to withstand the assaults of the devil, and to stand it out; and then, having done all that is incumbent on the good soldiers of Jesus Christ, our warfare will be accomplished, and we shall be finally victorious.
(3.)We must stand armed; and this is here most enlarged upon. Here is a Christian in complete armour: and the armour is divine: Armour of God, armour of light, Rom 13:12. Armour of righteousness, Co2 6:7. The apostle specifies the particulars of this armour, both offensive and defensive. The military girdle or belt, the breast-plate, the greaves (or soldier's shoes), the shield, the helmet, and the sword. It is observable that, among them all, there is none for the back; if we turn our back upon the enemy, we lie exposed. [1.] Truth or sincerity is our girdle, Eph 6:14. It was prophesied of Christ (Isa 11:5) that righteousness should be the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. That which Christ was girded with all Christians must be girded with. God desires truth, that is, sincerity, in the inward parts. This is the strength of our loins; and it girds on all other pieces of our armour, and therefore is first mentioned. I know no religion without sincerity. Some understand it of the doctrine of the truths of the gospel: they should cleave to us as the girdle does to the loins, Jer 13:11. This will restrain from libertinism and licentiousness, as a girdle restrains and keeps in the body. This is the Christian soldier's belt: ungirded with this, he is unblessed. [2.] Righteousness must be our breast-plate. The breast-plate secures the vitals, shelters the heart. The righteousness of Christ imputed to us is our breast-plate against the arrows of divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us is our breast-plate to fortify the heart against the attacks which Satan makes against us. The apostle explains this in Th1 5:8, Putting on the breast-plate of faith and love. Faith and love include all Christian graces; for by faith we are united to Christ and by love to our brethren. These will infer a diligent observance of our duty to God, and a righteous deportment towards men, in all the offices of justice, truth, and charity. [3.] Resolution must be as the greaves to our legs: And their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Eph 6:15. Shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the military armour (Sa1 17:6): the use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were wont to be laid privily in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those who fell upon them being unfit to march. The preparation of the gospel of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers that may be in it. It is styled the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another. It may also be meant of that which prepares for the entertainment of the gospel, namely, repentance. With this our feet must be shod: for by living a life of repentance we are armed against temptations to sin, and the designs of our great enemy. Dr. Whitby thinks this may be the sense of the words: "That you may be ready for the combat, be shod with the gospel of peace, endeavour after that peaceable and quiet mind which the gospel calls for. Be not easily provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass the soldiers from those galltraps," etc. [4.] Faith must be our shield: Above all, or chiefly, taking the shield of faith, Eph 6:16. This is more necessary than any of them. Faith is all in all to us in an hour of temptation. The breast-plate secures the vitals; but with the shield we turn every way. This is the victory over the world, even our faith. We are to be fully persuaded of the truth of all God's promises and threatenings, such a faith being of great use against temptations. Consider faith as it is the evidence of things not seen and the substance of things hoped for, and it will appear to be of admirable use for this purpose. Faith, as receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption, so deriving grace from him, is like a shield, a sort of universal defence. Our enemy the devil is here called the wicked one. He is wicked himself, and he endeavours to make us wicked. His temptations are called darts, because of their swift and undiscerned flight, and the deep wounds that they give to the soul; fiery darts, by way of allusion to the poisonous darts which were wont to inflame the parts which were wounded with them, and therefore were so called, as the serpents with poisonous stings are called fiery serpents. Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are the darts which Satan shoots at us. Faith is the shield with which we must quench these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so render them ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not hurt us. Observe, Faith, acted upon the word of God and applying that, acted upon the grace of Christ and improving that, quenches the darts of temptation. [5.] Salvation must be our helmet (Eph 6:17); that is, hope, which has salvation for its object; so Th1 5:8. The helmet secures the head. A good hope of salvation, well founded and well built, will both purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by Satan, and it will comfort the soul and keep it from being troubled and tormented by Satan. He would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps us trusting in God, and rejoicing in him. [6.] The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. The sword is a very necessary and useful part of a soldier's furniture. The word of God is very necessary, and of great use to the Christian, in order to his maintaining the spiritual warfare and succeeding in it. It is called the sword of the Spirit, because it is of the Spirit's inditing and he renders it efficacious and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. Like Goliath's sword, none like that; with this we assault the assailants. Scripture-arguments are the most powerful arguments to repel temptation with. Christ himself resisted Satan's temptations with, It is written, Mat 4:4, Mat 4:6, Mat 4:7, Mat 4:10. This, being hid in the heart, will preserve from sin (Psa 119:11), and will mortify and kill those lusts and corruptions that are latent there. [7.] Prayer must buckle on all the other parts of our Christian armour, Eph 6:18. We must join prayer with all these graces, for our defence against these spiritual enemies, imploring help and assistance of God, as the case requires: and we must pray always. Not as though we were to do nothing else but pray, for there are other duties of religion and of our respective stations in the world that are to be done in their place and season; but we should keep up constant times of prayer, and be constant to them. We must pray upon all occasions, and as often as our own and others' necessities call us to it. We must always keep up a disposition to prayer, and should intermix ejaculatory prayers with other duties, and with common business. Though set and solemn prayer may sometimes be unseasonable (as when other duties are to be done), yet pious ejaculations can never be so. We must pray with all prayer and supplication, with all kinds of prayer: public, private, and secret, social and solitary, solemn and sudden; with all the parts of prayer: confession of sin, petition for mercy, and thanksgivings for favours received. We must pray in the Spirit; our spirits must be employed in the duty and we must do it by the grace of God's good Spirit. We must watch thereunto, endeavouring to keep our hearts in a praying frame, and taking all occasions, and improving all opportunities, for the duty: we must watch to all the motions of our own hearts towards the duty. When God says, Seek my face, our hearts must comply, Psa 27:8. This we must do with all perseverance. We must abide by the duty of prayer, whatever change there may be in our outward circumstances; and we must continue in it as long as we live in the world. We must persevere in a particular prayer; not cutting it short, when our hearts are disposed to enlarge, and there is time for it, and our occasions call for it. We must likewise persevere in particular requests, notwithstanding some present discouragements and repulses. And we must pray with supplication, not for ourselves only, but for all saints; for we are members one of another. Observe, None are so much saints, and in so good a condition in this world, but they need our prayers, and they ought to have them. The apostle passes hence to the conclusion of the epistle.
Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye come frequently together in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and his "fiery darts" urging to sin fall back ineffectual. For your concord and harmonious faith prove his destruction, and the torment of his assistants. Nothing is better than that peace which is according to Christ, by which all war, both of aërial and terrestrial spirits, is brought to an end. "For we wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against principalities and powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places."
Manly He calls those who despise wealth, and are free in bestowing it. And on your feet let active readiness to well-doing appear, and a journeying to righteousness.
For He says, "Bring hither the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son" — a name of nearest relationship, and significative of what is given to the faithful — "was dead and lost,"— an expression of extremest alienation; for what is more alien to the living than the lost and dead? For neither can be possessed any more. But having from the nearest relationship fallen to extremest alienation, again by repentance he returned to near relationship. For it is said, "Put on him the best robe," which was his the moment he obtained baptism. I mean the glory of baptism, the remission of sins, and the communication of the other blessings, which he obtained immediately he had touched the font.
"And put a ring on his hand." Here is the mystery of the Trinity; which is the seal impressed on those who believe.
"And put shoes on his feet," for "the preparation of the Gospel of peace," [Ephesians 6:15] and the whole course that leads to good actions.
The gospel is to be carried abroad. It is to be preached among the nations. Wherever, then, it is preached, it must be heard. But so that all may hear, one must use one’s feet to travel. And so do we travel with haste and urgency. .
"And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace." It is more uncertain in what sense this was said. What then is its meaning? They are noble greaves, doubtless, with which he invests us. Either then he means this, that we should be prepared for the gospel, and should make use of our feet for this, and should prepare and make ready its way before it; or if not this, at least that we ourselves should be prepared for our departure. "The preparation," then, "of the gospel of peace," is nothing else than a most virtuous life; according to what the Prophet saith. "Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear." (Ps. x. 17.) "Of the gospel," he says, "of peace," and with reason; for inasmuch as he had made mention of warfare and fighting, he shows us that this conflict with the evil spirits we must needs have: for the gospel is "the gospel of peace"; this war which we have against them, puts an end to another war, that, namely, which is between us and God; if we are at war with the devil, we are at peace with God. Fear not therefore, beloved; it is a "gospel," that is, a word of good news; already is the victory won.
But what is the "preparation of the Gospel"? Let us hearken to what John saith, "Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." (Matt. iii. 3.) But again there is need also of another "preparation" after baptism, so that we may do nothing unworthy of "peace." And then, since the feet are usually a token of the way of life, hence he is constantly exhorting in this language, "Look, therefore, carefully how ye walk." (Eph. v. 15.) On this account, he would say, let us exhibit a practice and example worthy of the Gospel; that is, make our life and conduct pure. The good tidings of peace have been proclaimed to you, give to these good tidings a ready way; since if ye again become enemies, there is no more "preparation of peace." Be ready, be not backward to embrace this peace. As ye were ready and disposed for peace and faith, so also continue. The shield is that which first receives the assaults of the adversary, and preserves the armor uninjured. So long then as faith be right and the life be right, the armor remains uninjured.
It is asked whether he says “the gospel of peace” to distinguish it from another gospel. Or is it rather the distinguishing property of the gospel that it may be called “the gospel of peace?” If anyone therefore has peace, he is shod with the gospel of Christ. With this footwear he is prepared to walk. Being prepared, however, he does well not to imagine himself already perfect. Rather he merely is prepared to press on and by pressing on hopes to arrive at the goal.
Your footwear is not put on in order that you may walk about foolishly but to accomplish the course of the gospel. In this way you will receive the prophetic blessing: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.”
Evagrius said, ‘If your attention falters, pray. As it is written, pray in fear and trembling (cf. Phil. 2:12), earnestly and watchfully. We ought to pray like that, especially because our unseen and wicked enemies are trying to hinder us forcefully.’
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SUMMARY
Ephesians 6:15, as part of Paul's comprehensive instruction on the armor of God, emphasizes the critical role of readiness and stability in the believer's spiritual walk. It likens the Christian's firm footing to a soldier's well-shod feet, grounded not in physical preparation but in the transformative power and foundational truth of the gospel of peace, enabling believers to stand firm against spiritual opposition and to advance God's kingdom.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within the climactic section of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, specifically in chapter 6, where he transitions from general exhortations on Christian living to a direct command for spiritual warfare. Following his call to "be strong in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:10) and to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11), Paul systematically describes each piece of divine armor. Verse 14 introduces the "belt of truth" and the "breastplate of righteousness," establishing the foundational elements of integrity and right standing with God. Verse 15 then moves to the feet, emphasizing readiness and the means by which believers advance, setting the stage for the "shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16), "helmet of salvation," and "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). The immediate narrative flow highlights a progression from foundational truths to active engagement in spiritual battle.
Historical & Cultural Context: The imagery of the "armor of God" is deeply rooted in the Roman military context familiar to Paul's original audience. Roman soldiers were renowned for their discipline, training, and formidable equipment. Their footwear, known as caligae, were sturdy, hobnailed sandals designed for long marches over varied terrain and for providing excellent grip and stability in combat. These sandals were essential for maintaining balance, preventing slips, and ensuring the soldier could stand firm or advance confidently. Paul leverages this common and powerful military metaphor to convey spiritual truths, drawing a parallel between the physical readiness of a soldier and the spiritual preparedness required of a Christian. The concept of "peace" (Greek: eirēnē) in the Greco-Roman world often referred to the absence of war or a state of order, but in a biblical sense, it carries a much deeper meaning of holistic well-being, reconciliation, and right relationship, especially with God.
Key Themes: Ephesians 6:15 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within Ephesians and the broader Pauline corpus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Spiritual Warfare, emphasizing that believers are engaged in a cosmic conflict requiring divine equipping. Secondly, it highlights Readiness and Preparedness for both defensive standing and offensive proclamation, suggesting that the Christian life is not passive but active and purposeful. Thirdly, the verse points to the Gospel as Foundation, asserting that the good news of Christ's reconciling work is the very ground upon which believers stand firm and from which they operate. This aligns with Paul's consistent emphasis on the centrality of the gospel throughout his letters, such as in Romans 1:16. Finally, the inclusion of "peace" within the "gospel of peace" connects to the overarching theme of Reconciliation and Unity that permeates Ephesians, particularly how Christ has broken down dividing walls and created one new humanity, bringing peace to those who were far off and those who were near (Ephesians 2:14-18).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful Metaphor in this verse, likening the spiritual readiness of believers to the physical footwear of a Roman soldier. The "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" creates a vivid image that is immediately understandable to his audience. This metaphor extends the broader Allegory of the "armor of God" found throughout Ephesians 6, where each piece of military equipment represents a spiritual truth or virtue. The phrase "gospel of peace" also contains Personification, as the gospel itself is presented as an active agent that provides "preparation" or a firm foundation, almost as if it were a tangible substance providing grip. Furthermore, there is an element of Synecdoche, where "feet shod" represents the entire person's readiness and ability to stand firm and advance in their spiritual journey.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 6:15 profoundly connects the believer's spiritual stability and readiness to the very essence of the gospel. It teaches that our firm footing in the spiritual battle is not derived from our own strength or cleverness, but from the foundational truth and reconciling power of the "good news" of Jesus Christ. This "gospel of peace" provides not only an inner tranquility but also equips us for outward movement and proclamation, enabling us to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy and to carry the message of reconciliation into a broken world. Our spiritual shoes are not for retreat, but for standing our ground and advancing God's purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the contemporary believer, Ephesians 6:15 serves as a profound reminder that our spiritual stability and effectiveness are directly tied to our grounding in the gospel of peace. It challenges us to continually reflect on the depth of the peace we have with God through Christ and to allow this peace to be the unshakable foundation of our lives. This means consciously choosing to stand on the truths of the gospel, even when circumstances are turbulent or spiritual attacks are fierce. Furthermore, "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" implies an active readiness to share this transformative message with others. Our spiritual "footwear" prepares us not just to endure, but to advance, to walk confidently in our calling, and to be ambassadors of reconciliation in a world desperate for true peace. It calls us to live lives characterized by a settled assurance that enables us to stand firm and to move forward with purpose, bringing the light of the gospel wherever God leads.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" mean practically for a Christian today?
Answer: Practically, it means being deeply rooted in the good news of Jesus Christ, allowing the peace He offers to be the stable foundation of your life. Just as a soldier's sturdy sandals provide grip and support for marching and standing firm, the "gospel of peace" provides spiritual stability against life's challenges and spiritual attacks. It also implies a readiness to move and share this message of peace with others, being prepared to go wherever God calls and to stand as an ambassador of reconciliation. It's about living a life that is both grounded in truth and actively engaged in God's mission, reflecting the peace that comes from being reconciled to God through Christ, as described in Romans 5:1.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 6:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the embodiment and source of the "gospel of peace." He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), having broken down the dividing wall of hostility through His sacrifice on the cross, thereby reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body (Ephesians 2:16). Jesus' entire earthly ministry was characterized by His feet being "shod" with this gospel; He consistently went about "preaching the gospel of the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23) and bringing healing and reconciliation. His journey to the cross, culminating in His resurrection, is the ultimate act of bringing peace between a holy God and sinful humanity, fulfilling the prophetic words of Isaiah 52:7, which speaks of those who bring good news and proclaim peace. As believers, we are called to walk in His footsteps, empowered by the very peace He secured, carrying forth the message of reconciliation that is found only in Him, for "He is our peace." Our readiness to stand firm and advance is entirely dependent on the finished work of Christ, who has already secured the victory and established the foundation of peace upon which we stand.