Tag: breastplate

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Ready For Battle?

Posted on by Will

But we, being of the day should be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and of love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Truth to Learn

It is important for Christians to always be battle ready.

 

Behind the Words

“Be sober” is the translation of the Greek verb nēphō, which we saw back in verse six. It originally meant “to abstain from wine.” Later it was used to mean” to avoid abuse of wine or other alcoholic drinks.” Metaphorically it means “to be sober minded or watchful.”

The words “putting on” are from the verb enduō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and duō, meaning “to sink” or “to go under.” It is a picture of a person getting under the outer garment of the day (like a dress) as it was being put on. Thus enduō means “to put on clothing.” It is expressed here as an aorist middle participle which means to have done something to yourself at a point in in time in the past. We could translate this as “having dressed yourself with” or “having put on.”

Thōrax is the word translated here as “breastplate.” This is the word from which we get our English word thorax, referring to the upper part of the body, the chest area. It is also the name given to the piece of armor a soldier would put on to cover his chest.

The Greek word translated “helmet” is perikephalaia, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” and kephalē, meaning “the head.” Therefore, perikephalaia refers to that piece of armor that goes around (or covers) the head.

The word “hope” is translated from the Greek word elpis, meaning “hope.” However, it is more than just a wish, it is a hope that carries with it the full expectation that it will happen.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has just contrasted Christians (children of light) with unbelievers (those who are in spiritual darkness). He now gives us instruction on how we are to prepare for the daily spiritual battles that we will face. In the English translation he starts off with our mental preparedness (be sober). The construction of the Greek grammar, however, indicates that the verb “having put on” occurs in time before the main verb (be sober).

A soldier knows that the most important aspect of his protection is his armor. He doesn’t dare go into battle without protection. Once he has put on his armor, he then prepares mentally for the conflict he is about to enter into. Likewise, Christians (those who are of the day) are in spiritual battles every day. We will be in battles against the enemies of God, so we need to be prepared for battle.

The first thing we need to do to prepare for the coming battles is to have our armor on. For another description of Christian armor see Ephesians 6:13-17. Once we have our armor on, we need to be mentally prepared by being sober minded.

You may also notice that Paul talks about our “hope of salvation” in today’s verse. We have talked before about the two different aspects of our salvation. When we first believed in Jesus Christ, we were recorded in God’s record book as being righteous, which sealed our salvation. At the rapture we will receive our eternal body and the complete salvation that God promises us when we accept Christ as Savior. This latter description of our salvation is what we hope for and fully expect to happen.

 

Application

Christians are in spiritual battles every day. We need to have our armor on and be clear minded so that we can effectively fight for the glory of God. Are you ready for battle?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:14 – Truth and Righteousness

Posted on by Will

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Truth to Learn

Truth and righteousness are two of the key pieces of our armor.

 

Behind the Words

“Stand” is translated from the Greek word histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating that it is a command.

The words “having girded” are from the Greek verb peridzonumi, which is composed of peri, meaning “around” or “about” and dzonnumi, meaning “to bind about” or “wrap around.” Thus, this word means to “wrap all the way around.” It is expressed here in the middle voice indicating something that you do to yourself.

 “Having put on” is translated from enduō, which we saw back in verse eleven. Like peridzonumi, it is expressed in the middle voice, indicating something you do to yourself. Also, these two words are both expressed as aorist participles, indicating that “having girded” and “having put on” are things we are to have already done before we try to stand against the enemy.

The word “breastplate” is translated from thōraka, which literally refers to “the chest.” It is also used metaphorically to refer to the piece of armor which covers the chest and back.

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has just informed us that we are in a spiritual, hand-to-hand battle with the forces of evil. We learned that this battle is one in which we are one-on-one against these spirit beings. They are part of Satan’s forces and they are opposed to God and anyone who aligns himself or herself with God. So, if you are a Christian, whether you like it or not, you are one of God’s soldiers engaged in warfare against evil.

The first thing we learn from today’s verse is that we are to battle from a standing position. In yesterday’s verse we learned that we are to “stand against” our adversary. As we take on the enemy, we are not to flee and we are not to yield ground. We are to stand firm. But before we stand against the enemy, we need to have our armor properly put in place.

Our first piece of armor is our belt. It is the foundation of our armor. Without it, our breastplate will not stay in place. So, what is our belt? It is truth! Truth is the foundation of our Christian faith. It is the truth of the gospel message that we believed in which secured our salvation. It is God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible, that we are to build our armor and our lives on.

Once we have wrapped ourselves with the belt of truth, we can put on our breastplate of righteousness. In the book of Romans we learned the truth that none of us is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). But we also learned in the third chapter of Romans that we received the righteousness of Christ when we believed the gospel message. According to James 2:23 righteousness was credited to Abraham when he believed. In the same way, when we believed the gospel of our salvation, God declared us to be as righteous as Jesus Christ in His record book. In God’s eyes, every Christian is just as righteous as Jesus Christ.

 

Application

In order to use the truth, we have to know the truth. The best way to learn God’s truth is to read your Bible, not occasionally, but regularly and consistently. Learn God’s truth and learn about the righteousness that we have in Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Ready For Battle?

Posted on by Will

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Truth to Learn

It is important for Christians to always be battle ready.

Behind the Words

“Be sober” is the translation of the Greek verb nēphō, which originally meant “to abstain from wine.” Later it was used to mean” to avoid abuse of wine or other alcoholic drinks.” Metaphorically it means “to be sober minded or watchful.”

The words “putting on” are from the verb enduō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and duō, meaning “to sink” or “to go under.” It is a picture of a person getting under the inner garment of the day (like a dress) as it was being put on. Thus enduō means “to put on clothing.” It is expressed here as an aorist middle participle which means to have done something to yourself at a point in in time in the past. We could translate this as “having dressed yourself with” or “having put on.”

Thōrax is the word translated here as “breastplate.” This is the word from which we get our English thorax, referring to the upper part of the body, the chest area. It is also the name given to the piece of armor a soldier would put on to cover his chest.

The Greek word translated “helmet” is perikephalaia, which is made up of peri, meaning “around” and kephalē, meaning “the head.” Therefore, perikephalaia refers to that piece of armor that goes around (or covers) the head.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just contrasted Christians (children of light) with unbelievers (those who are in spiritual darkness). He now gives us instruction on how we are to prepare for the daily spiritual battles that we will face. In the English translation he starts off with our mental preparedness (be sober). The construction of the Greek grammar, however, indicates that the verb “having put on” occurs in time before the main verb (be sober).

A soldier knows that the most important aspect of his protection is his armor. He doesn’t dare go into battle without protection. Once he has put on his armor, he then prepares mentally for the conflict he is about to enter into. Likewise, Christians (those who are of the day) are in spiritual battles every day. We will be in battles against the enemies of God, so we need to be prepared for battle.

The first thing we need to do to prepare for the coming battles is to have our armor on. For another description of Christian armor see Ephesians 6:13-17. Once we have our armor on, we need to be mentally prepared by being sober minded.

You may also notice that Paul talks about our “hope of salvation” in today’s verse. We have talked before about the two different aspects of our salvation. When we first believed in Jesus Christ, we were recorded in God’s record book as being righteous, which sealed our salvation. At the rapture we will receive our eternal body and the complete salvation that God promises us when we accept Christ as Savior.

Application

Christians are in spiritual battles every day. We need to have our armor on and be clear minded so that we can effectively fight for the glory of God. Are you ready for battle?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:14 – Truth and Righteousness

Posted on by Will

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Truth to Learn

Truth and righteousness are two of the key pieces of our armor.

Behind the Words

“Stand” is translated from the Greek word histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating that it is a command.

The words “having girded” are from the Greek verb peridzonumi, which is composed of peri, meaning “around” or “about” and dzonnumi, meaning “to bind about” or “wrap around.” Thus, this word means to “wrap all the way around.” It is expressed here in the middle voice indicating something that you do to yourself.

 “Having put on” is translated from enduō, which we saw back in verse eleven. Like peridzonumi, it is expressed in the middle voice, indicating something you do to yourself. Also, these two words are both expressed as aorist participles, indicating that “having girded” and “having put on” are things we are to have already done before we try to stand against the enemy.

The word “breastplate” is translated from thōraka, which literally refers to “the chest.” It is also used metaphorically to refer to the piece of armor which covers the chest and back.

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has just informed us that we are in a spiritual wrestling match with the forces of evil. We learned that this wrestling match is one in which we are one-on-one against these spirit beings. They are part of Satan’s forces and they are opposed to God and anyone who aligns himself or herself with God. So, if you are a Christian, whether you like it or not, you are one of God’s soldiers engaged in warfare against evil.

The first thing we learn from today’s verse is that we are to battle from a standing position. In yesterday’s verse we learned that we are to “stand against” our adversary. As we take on the enemy, we are not to flee and we are not to yield ground. We are to stand firm. But before we stand against the enemy, we need to have our armor properly put in place.

Our first piece of armor is our belt. It is the foundation of our armor. Without it, our breastplate will not stay in place. So, what is our belt? It is truth! Truth is the foundation of our Christian faith. It is the truth of the gospel message that we believed in which secured our salvation. It is God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible, that we are to build our armor and our lives on.

Once we have on the belt of truth, we can put on our breastplate of righteousness. In the book of Romans we learned the truth that none of us is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). But we also learned in the third chapter of Romans that we received the righteousness of Christ when we believed the gospel message. According to James 2:23, righteousness was credited to Abraham when he believed. In the same way, when we believed the gospel of our salvation, God declared us to be as righteous as Jesus Christ in His record book.

Application

In order to use the truth, we have to know the truth. The best way to learn God’s truth is to read your Bible, not occasionally, but regularly and consistently. Learn God’s truth and learn about the righteousness that we have in Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.