Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
What does Ephesians 6:14 mean?
Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Ephesians 6:14-18 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ephesians 6:14
In what way they were to do this, and how they were to be armed, the apostle proceeds to specify; and in doing it, gives a description of the ancient armor of a soldier. Having your loins girt about - The "girdle, or sash," was always with the ancients an important part of their dress, in war as well as in peace. They wore loose, flowing robes; and it became necessary to gird them up when they traveled, or ran, or labored. The girdle was often highly ornamented, and was the place where they carried their money, their sword, their pipe, their writing instruments, etc.; see the notes on Matthew 5:38-41 .
Key words
- breastplate
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breastplate.: lorica, or coat of mail; i. e.
Context in Ephesians 6
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Ephesians 6 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as household life and spiritual warfare. Ephesians presents the church as Christ’s body and temple, chosen in grace, united across dividing walls, and called to mature holy life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of union with Christ, church, and grace in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about suffering and trials
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Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.