Paul often used metaphors his audience would have been familiar with to explain spiritual realities. In Ephesians 6 he identifies the enemy in distinctly spiritual terms, using phrases such as “… we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” “cosmic powers over this present darkness,” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” He saw the similarity between the physical armor of Roman soldiers and the spiritual tools of war the Christians needed to prevail against the powers of darkness — the armor of God. He connects each significant part of a Roman soldier’s attire to a correlating spiritual element.
Roman Soldiers
Roman soldiers were fierce, well-trained, and disciplined. The efficacy of the Roman military machine was built on the excellence of the individual soldier, who had the will, ability, and adaptability to work with his comrades to form an almost unstoppable force.
In the ancient Roman Empire, everyone was familiar with what a Roman soldier looked like and was capable of. The Ephesians were no exception. Paul used their familiarity with the Roman soldier and their armor to depict in the mind of his audience what a Christian spiritual warrior must be like. One who is as formidable, strong, and ready to face the enemy in battle as the Roman soldiers were to face their foes.
The armor of a regular Roman soldier was made up of six essential parts. These were a belt, a breastplate, shoes, a shield, a helmet, and a sword. These were the requirements to equip the soldier for defense and attack on the battlefield and were what they carried on them from battle to battle.
Paul’s Metaphor
This is how Paul paints the scenario and implements the armor of God metaphor:
Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints … ”
Paul ensures that the reader does not underestimate the enemy and understands that the enemy is a spiritual force. He calls the enemy “rulers,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” and “spiritual forces of evil.” This battle must be taken seriously and requires readiness, awareness, and preparation.
The Armor of God
In Paul’s metaphor, each part of the physical armor relates to a spiritual equivalent that needs protection or skill to utilize it effectively. Paul starts by saying: “Stand therefore,” highlighting the readiness for action, and then lists the armor and their spiritual equivalent.
The Belt
Roman soldiers wore a “cingulum,” a wide belt, or a “balteus,” hanging from one shoulder and crossing the chest. In both instances, the primary function was to carry a sheath for the gladius, a typical Roman-style sword. These belts were often intricately adorned and only soldiers were allowed to wear them. They wore them even when off duty and they were a status symbol indicating that the wearer was a soldier. It girded the soldier and served as an anchor to hold the sword to the body when not used. It bound the tunic together and served as a base or platform for weapons like a sword and dagger while allowing mobility and freedom of movement. It also ensured that essential equipment would not be lost.
Paul likens the belt to truth, a crucial element of the Christian life. As the belt girds the center of the body, the truth, which is associated with integrity, trustworthiness, and honesty, binds these values as core principles in the life of the faithful. It binds the essentials of spiritual living together, preventing the loss of other values.
The Breastplate
The Roman breastplate protected the vital organs in the upper body, such as the lungs and heart. It came in two forms, the lorica segmentata and the lorica hamata. The former were overlapping metal strips that allowed reasonable movement while it protected the body. The latter was mail armor worn like a vest which provided more mobility than its plated counterpart.
Paul equates the breastplate with righteousness. Righteousness protects believers from attacks that strike at the very vitals of their faith. Believers do not rely on their own righteousness but on that of Christ. Being “clothed” with Christ keeps the heart of spiritual life safe by an impenetrable righteousness that withstands even the most severe attack from Satan.
The Shoes
Roman soldiers did not wear shoes like we know them today. Their shoes were more of a hybrid between sandals and boots called caligae. This heavy-soled footwear could last through long marches over many miles of tough terrain. Shoemakers hobnailed the caligae for better grip and durability. The Roman army was known for its ability to traverse vast distances quickly even when on foot.
Paul refers to the shoes as “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Christ’s instruction was: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The believer needs to be ready to go wherever the gospel message takes them, even when the road is long and the terrain treacherous. It shows that the battle against evil requires action. There is no time to be passive. Believers must meet challenges proactively.
The Shield
Roman soldiers used a shield called a scutum. It was a large, rectangular, curved protective barrier that weighed approximately 10 kg (1.5 stone) and covered the body and upper leg area. It was made with layers of wood glued together for strength and covered with canvas and leather. It protected the soldier against projectiles like spears and arrows and could interlink with other shields to create a phalanx.
To Paul, the shield represented faith. Faith serves as a shield that protects the believer from the “flaming darts” that the enemy fires to penetrate the Christian’s defenses. It serves as a barrier, and the stronger the faith, the safer the faithful will be behind it.
The Helmet
The helmets that Roman soldiers wore were called galea. They differed greatly in shape and design but were generally made from metal. It protected the head from strikes and some versions had masks to protect the face.
Paul uses the helmet as a metaphor for salvation. It is quite an appropriate similitude since assurance of salvation impacts the way the believer thinks and reasons significantly. It provides security of identity, knowing that in the end, the outcome is victory, and the destiny is eternity. It gives hope and helps the Christian overcome challenges that would otherwise seem insurmountable.
The Soldier’s Sword and the Word of God
Gladius is the Latin word for sword. Romans used a sword of 60-85 cm (24-33 inches) designed for close combat. The word gladiator comes from gladius and refers to one proficient in fighting with a sword, like a swordsman in English, because it was the primary weapon used in the Roman arenas. A sword was an effective offensive and defensive weapon in the hands of a trained soldier, though mastery of the art of sword fighting takes much practice and patience.
The sword, to Paul, was the word of God. Like the sword, it takes time, effort, and patience to learn how to wield it effectively without injuring the wielder. Paul calls it the sword of the spirit, indicating that the word of God originated with the spirit and that the spirit is the only one who can guide the reader to use it effectively and efficiently. Like a physical sword, the sword of the spirit can also function as an offensive and defensive instrument in the hands of a trained individual.
As with the armor of ancient Roman soldiers, each element in the armor of God has a unique function. Missing one part of the armor would make the soldier less effective and vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. In the spiritual war, as much diligence is necessary to maintain the armor as in a physical war.
