Note 10 at Eph. 6:14: To be standing in the evil day (v.13), we must be standing clad in the armor of God. Seven pieces of armor are mentioned. Five are defensive and two are offensive, with one being preparatory. The armor is mentioned as being: a belt, a breastplate, shoes, a shield, a helmet, a sword, and prayer.

Note 11 at Eph. 6:14: In Old English, the "loins" denoted the mid section or waist (NIV) of a person. In some cases it specified the reproductive ability of the man (Gen. 35:11; 46:26; Acts 2:30; Heb. 7:5, 10).

In Bible days men wore robes or gowns. When they fought or ran, they had to gird up their loins (2 Ki. 4:29; 2 Ki. 9:1; 1 Pet. 1:3). This was done by tucking their robe into their girdle, or what we would call a belt (see note 2 at Lk. 12:35, p. 329). Therefore, Paul is saying that truth is the belt that allows us to fight without being entangled in our garments. Those who do not surround themselves with truth will become entangled in their own web of deceit and will fall.

The first and preparatory piece of armor that a soldier wore was the belt. Centuries ago men would wrestle with only a belt. The object of the match was to remove the opponent's belt. If Satan can disarm us of our belt of truth, he will defeat us, for his greatest weapon is deceit and lies. If we are under his control it is because we have believed one of his lies instead of the truth of God's Word. Jesus said, "I am the truth" (Jn. 14:6). To have the belt of truth on is to look to Jesus to lead the way, to have your eyes singled only on Him.

When the Divine Warrior Jesus Christ returns to claim His Kingdom He will be wearing "the belt of truth." In Isaiah it is described as "faithfulness the girdle of his reins (waist)" (Isa. 11:5). Christ will have on the belt of faithfulness and truthfulness. "Faithful" means "to adhere strictly to a person, cause, or idea to which one is bound; loyal." "True" suggests steadiness, reliability, and in a closely related sense, genuineness.

In Paul's day corrupt pottery vendors would take pottery that had cracks or defects and fill them with wax. After painting the pottery they would sell it as genuine pottery without flaws. If the pottery was put it up to the light however, one could see it's flaw. The honest salesman would advertise his pottery as pottery without wax; sincere, genuine, true pottery. Paul is saying, the Christian must be sincere, genuine, and true, presenting no false appearance, not hypocritical, real. If Christ is not a reality in your life you are not ready for battle.

Note 12 at Eph. 6:14: The next piece of armor mentioned is "the breastplate of righteousness." The main reason for this piece of armor is the protection of the heart and vital organs of the body. The breastplate was usually made of interlinking chain mail, metal, bone, or of round discs of metal that gave the appearance of a scale or metal coat. The breastplate was attached to the belt, as was the sword. The breastplate was one of the most important pieces of armor; a soldier would never think of going into hand-to-hand combat without it. It was also one of the heaviest pieces of equipment worn by the soldiers. Historians say that Goliath, the giant killed by David, wore a breastplate that weighed around 148 pounds (1 Sam. 17:5).

What the breastplate was to the Roman soldier, righteousness is to the Christian soldier. In the spiritual realm, righteousness functions as a breastplate. In fact, the breastplate is righteousness.

There are two basic kinds of righteousness mentioned in the scriptures. First is man's righteousness, which is the righteousness that man can accomplish and perform without Christ. Isaiah tells us that all of man's righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). This self righteousness has no value to God, but we do have to maintain a certain amount of this righteousness to get along with men here on earth.

Secondly, there is God's own righteousness which is imputed to us at salvation. Its source is God Himself. God's kind of righteousness comes only through faith. It is a gift, and appropriated through Christ. Righteousness gives us total acceptance with God through Christ. This righteousness, which is a gift from God, produces the practical righteousness evident in the actions of the mature believer.