📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's metaphor in Ephesians 6:11-17 of the saint's spiritual-warfare equipment. Six pieces: (1) loins girt with truth, (2) breastplate of righteousness, (3) feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, (4) shield of faith, (5) helmet of salvation, (6) sword of the Spirit (the word of God). Paired with prayer ("praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit"). All defensive except the sword; six pieces; standing posture commanded four times.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Eph 6:11-17: six pieces of saint's spiritual-warfare equipment + prayer.
expand to see more
Paul's metaphor in Ephesians 6:11-17 of the saint's full spiritual-warfare equipment, drawn from Roman-soldier imagery. Six named pieces: (1) loins girt about with TRUTH (the soldier's belt that anchored the rest); (2) breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS (chest-protection); (3) feet shod with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE (the hobnailed military caligae for traction in combat); (4) above all, shield of FAITH, with which to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; (5) helmet of SALVATION; (6) sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD. Paired with prayer ("praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit"). All defensive except the sword. The standing posture commanded four times in the passage (vv 11, 13, 14): the saint's task is to STAND, not advance — the ground has already been won by Christ; the saint holds it.
📖 Key Scripture
Ephesians 6:11-13 — "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Ephesians 6:14-17 — "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Ephesians 6:18 — "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Often used as motivational pep-talk; Paul gave it as combat-inventory the saint must actually deploy.
expand to see more
Modern "put on the armor" can be motivational. Paul listed six specific pieces with specific functions. Truth grounds; righteousness protects the chest; gospel-of-peace gives traction; faith quenches fiery darts; salvation guards the head; the Spirit's sword is the word. Each is operational.
Recover the inventory: which piece are you actually wearing? Which is missing? The standing-posture is the key — the saint stands on Christ's victory.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek tēn panoplian tou theou.
expand to see more
['Greek', 'G3833', 'panoplia', 'full armor']
['Greek', 'G2476', 'histēmi', 'to stand']
Usage
"Put on the whole armor of God."
"Six pieces; all defensive except the sword."
"Stand — Christ has already won the ground."