The Armor of God

The armor of God is the passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul describes the Christian life as a stand against spiritual opposition, using the equipment of a Roman soldier as the picture. The King James Version spells it armour: the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Here is the full scripture.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore 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.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

King James Version

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The Armor of God in plain English

Where it comes from

These verses close Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, written, the letter says, while he was in chains: For which I am an ambassador in bonds (Ephesians 6:20). After chapters on what God has done in Christ and on how believers should live at home and together, he ends with a call to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

What each piece means

The girdle of truth
A soldier's belt held his clothing and gear together. Truth and honesty hold everything else in place.
The breastplate of righteousness
Protection over the heart: right living, and the righteousness God gives, guarding against accusation.
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Sure footing, and readiness to carry the good news of peace with God wherever you go.
The shield of faith
Trust in God, which Paul says can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: the doubts and attacks aimed at a believer.
The helmet of salvation
The assurance of being saved, protecting the mind.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
The one piece used to strike, and Paul names it as the words of Scripture.

Paul then adds prayer, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. It is not another piece of armour but the way all of it is worn.

What Paul is stressing

Almost every piece is for defence, and the key word is stand. Stand or withstand appears four times in these few verses. Paul is not describing an attack but people holding their ground.

He also says who the struggle is not against: we wrestle not against flesh and blood. The opposition is spiritual, not other people. Several pieces come from Isaiah, where God himself put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head (Isaiah 59:17), so the armour is God's own, lent to his people.

Where readings differ

Christians agree on the outline and differ in emphasis. Pentecostal and charismatic churches often read the passage as a guide to active spiritual warfare and prayer against evil powers. Many other churches read it mainly as a picture of steady Christian character: truthful, upright, trusting, and rooted in Scripture.