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NASB | Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 6:14 So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), [Is 11:5] |
Bible Question: Hi, can I get a breakdown or opinions maybe on Ephesians 6:14, particularly about the second half of that verse, having on the breastplate of righteousness! Im not looking for any particular answers, just some comments-thanks |
Bible Answer: Hi Pray4me, As preparation is necessary for physical warfare, even so it's necessary to prepare for spiritual warfare. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,agaist powers, agaist the rulers of the darkness of this world.. ( Eph 6:12). It is important to have the right armor when fighting the enemy. Paul writes, " Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph 6:10). This armor is not of man, but of God! Note that Paul used the word 'finally', implying that the armor of God is to be worn by those who understand and follow what was said in the preceding chapters in the book of Ephesians. The armor is for those who, (1) accepts Christ's plan for salavation (Eph 1), (2) understand your position in Christ (Eph 2), (3) implement the prerequisites of walking with Christ (Eph 4-6:1-9). The armor of God does not give us strength but protection. Our stength comes from the Lord. David said. "for thou has girded me with strength unto battle...(Ps 18:39). The garments and weapons that Paul described for spiritual battle analogues to the armor of a Roman soldier. He said, " 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 ..and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God..." ( Eph 6:14-17). The girdle of truth holds the rest of the armor of God together and provides support and security for the sword of the spirit. It is subjective truth that Paul writes about. Truth that trans- forms by the renewing of the mind (Rom 12: 1-2). Jesus said, " And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (Jn 8:32). Truth frees us from sin-without the girdle of truth, we'll be fighting an unsucessful warfare! To address your question about the breastplate of righteousness...The breastplate protects the vital organs such as the heart and lungs as well as the upper arms and a part of the back. These organs as you know, are essential to life and if not properly protected, injury and death are inevitable. In Illustrating the importance of the heart, the Lord said,"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man ( Matt 15:18-20). After the heart is cleansed by asking for forgiveness, it is necessary to protect it from the intrusion of the enemy. David said, " Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me....(Ps 51: 10-17; Romans 10:10). I hope that you will find Ephesians 6:14 to be a little clearer from the scripture verses that I've shown you. God bless you. Ptr |