Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 6:14

"Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness," — Ephesians 6:14 (ASV)

The exhortation to “stand” repeats the emphasis in vv.11, 13 on the need for immovable steadfastness in the face of a ruthless foe. In v.13 Paul talked about standing firm in the midst of battle. Now he writes at greater length about standing ready in anticipation of it.

The several items of the soldier’s armor appear in the order in which they would be put on. Together they comprise “the whole armor” worn before taking the field. First, the “belt” tied tightly around the waist indicated that the soldier was prepared for action. A soldier slackened his belt only when he went off duty. It served to gather in the short tunic and helped keep the breastplate in place when the latter was fitted on. From it hung the scabbard in which the sword was sheathed (v.17).

In Isa 11:5 the Messiah is depicted as wearing the belt of righteousness around his waist and faithfulness as the sash around his body. Here “truth” (GK 237) is said to be the soldier’s belt. “Truth” is to be interpreted both objectively as the truth of the gospel (1:13; 4:15) and subjectively as truth in one’s inward being. Because Christians have accepted the truth of revelation and are now indwelt by the risen Lord, who is himself the truth, their lives have truth as its basis, and they display the consistency of character that springs from it.

The “breastplate” covered the body from the neck to the thighs. Usually it was made of bronze, though more affluent officers wore a coat of chain mail. The front piece was strictly the breastplate, but a back piece was commonly worn as well. In Isa 59:17 we are told that Yahweh himself put on righteousness like a breastplate. “Righteousness” (GK 1466) stands for uprightness and integrity of character—a moral rectitude and reputation for fair dealing that results directly from the appropriation of Christ’s righteousness . Christians should not seek protection in any works of their own but only in what Christ has done for them and in them.