“and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15 (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
An important part of our spiritual armor is having the right shoes. Roman soldiers in biblical days wore caliga, a type of open hard leather boot with rows of hobnails (iron pins) protruding down from the thick soles. They made these boots in an open design, allowing drainage, which came in handy when crossing rivers. This helped reduce moisture in the boot and provided good ventilation. This was important for reduced sweating and fewer blisters. The thickness protected their feet as they travelled across terrain with sharp stones or branches. Nails provided grip and stability for standing as well as increased mobility for covering rough, uneven ground and gripped the soil. The nails also protected the soles of the shoes increasing durability. Roman soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder when in battle, so an unstable soldier would make a break in their line of defense. The nails also made a frightening clatter when an army approached on streets. The boots provided good ball, arch, and heel support. Soldiers were known to kick enemies with the nailed shoes.
We are in a spiritual battle where we need to stand unmoved by our foes as well as being able to advance against the enemy. Our footwear is both defensive and offensive. It allows us to stand firm against enemy attacks. It also helps us advance quickly to attack our enemy. Our footwear is durable. It keeps doing its job. Our enemies are spiritual forces, not human people. I recently have been dealing with plantar fasciitis. It is an extremely painful heel problem that came from spending lots of time on my feet in shoes that were not supportive. The cure involves rest, wearing arch supports, supportive shoes, and exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles. When we live our lives without taking advantage of the support and design God has for us, we end up in pain and unable to do what we should be doing.
“The Greek word translated ‘peace’ in the Scripture is eirene. This word is equivalent to the Hebrew word shalom. Essentially, eirene embodies completeness, wholeness, and an inner resting of the soul that does not fluctuate based on outside influences.” (Evans, 2011)
Colossians 3:15 tells us, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
John 14:27 promises, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
Philippians 4:6-7 gives guidance on ways to keep peace in our lives. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
God’s peace is available to every Christian. It is not based on our circumstances. We can have inner peace even when everything in our world is in chaos. We know God is still in control and stronger than any problem we face. God has overcome our enemy. The enemy is defeated. It is important that we keep our focus on God and not the world around us. We can bring any problem to God in prayer, and He hears our prayers. We need to believe God’s promises and trust His goodness and power. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
We have inner peace only because we have found peace with God first. Jesus has opened the way through His sacrifice for the only means by which we can be forgiven and have a relationship with God. We must accept what He has done for us and give our lives over to His control. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(ESV) Ephesians 2:14 explains, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility”. (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016)
“Thirdly, Paul says having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace. The word translated equipment can have two quite different meanings. It may be ‘preparedness’, and some, taking this as the right meaning here, assume that although defence is primarily in the apostle’s mind in his description of the Christian conflict in this passage, he cannot just think of Christians defending themselves. They must go forward with the gospel. Part of their necessary equipment, therefore, is the readiness at any moment to take out the good news of peace to others. It has been argued that the apostle’s thought has moved from Isaiah 59 to Isaiah 52:7, which was in his mind in 2:17. Another meaning of the Greek noun hetoimasia, however, is ‘preparation’ in the sense of a ‘prepared foundation’, and thus it appears to be used in the Greek of Psalm 89:14 (88:15 in LXX). This would give the meaning here that the knowledge of the dependence on the gospel that gives a person peace in heart and life is a necessary equipment (like the hobnailed sandals of the Roman soldier) if he is to have a firm foothold in the conflict. So NEB: ‘let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing’. This second meaning fits the context better, with its dominant thought of being able to stand unmoved against the foe. Even so the words used carry the hint that warfare is not the complete description of Christians’ occupation—they are also messengers with good news.” (Foulkes, 1989)
Lead Pastor Kevin Eshleman of Ephrata Community Church in Ephrata, PA helps shed light on this passage.
We are to not only know how to endure conflict and stand firm against attacks of the devil. We are also to be prepared to share the Gospel with others. We need to know what we believe and be willing to share our beliefs with other. The world is in turmoil. They need to know God’s love, forgiveness, and peace. Christ’s sacrifice for the world is the only thing that will make a difference in the world. People need to know Jesus. When people see the peace in our lives, it will make them more open to hear what we have to say.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isa 52:7) (The Holy Bible: ESV, 2016) How wonderful it is that we can share the good news with others! We know the answer to what is wrong with the world and what to do about it. Love demands that we be willing to share this good news with others.
“Sandals were the sign of one equipped and ready to move. The sign of Christians is that they are eager to be on the way to share the gospel with others who have not heard it.” (Barclay, 2002)
Acts 10:36 emphasizes the message we proclaim. “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).” 2 Cor. 5:20 reminds us, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
“Soldiers, by definition, operate as a unit. Gladiators competed as individuals, but a soldier could never be victorious without his companions. So when Paul outlines the armor that believers are to wear, he did not only have individuals in mind. He was thinking of the living, breathing entity of the church as a whole. To the extent that individuals are armed for battle, so too the church- one believer united with another- is prepared to stand as one warrior, girded in God’s power against the prince of darkness in the culture.” (Shirer, 2015)
We have more power to change our world when we work together as the church. Think of the sound of thousands of hobnailed boots advancing together. Standing shoulder to shoulder means the area is covered, and it offers protection to all. God meant for Christians to love one another and support one another (John 13:34-35). We should not be looking for ways to argue with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but rather supporting them. We need to look out for the good of others and consider others. (Phil. 2:3-5)
Works Cited
Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians. Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
Evans, T. (2011). Victory in Spiritual Warfare. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Shirer, P. (2015). The Armor of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Vincent, M. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
