Paragraph 6:14–20

In this paragraph, Paul used six metaphors to describe the way a Christian should prepare himself to fight against Satan. Paul based these metaphors on the armor a Roman soldier wore. The specific pieces of armor are:

(a) belt (6:14b)

(b) breastplate (6:14c)

(c) shoes (6:15)

(d) shield (6:16b–c)

(e) helmet (6:17a)

(f) sword (6:17b)

In many places in the world, people do not know what breastplates, helmets, shields and other armor of the Roman soldiers looked like. So you may want to put a picture of a Roman soldier in your Bible translation at this place when it is printed.

6:14a

Stand firm then: The clause Stand firm then introduces a list of instructions on how to stand firm. These are his concluding appeals on the basis of what he had said before. So you can translate it as:

So then, take your stand! (God’s Word)
-or-
So stand ready (Good News Translation)
-or-
Therefore prepare yourselves

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this command as a statement. For example:

Therefore, here is how you are to prepare yourselves ⌊to resist Satan⌋.

6:14b

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist: A belt was made of pieces of leather. It was probably a wide belt, not just some thin strings of leather. See the belt of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

In Paul’s time, a soldier used a belt to tie his loose clothing round his waist. He did this so that he could move faster and more freely in battle. A belt also helped to protect the soldier’s waist.

The phrase belt of truth is also a metaphor. Paul compared truth to a belt.

One way to fully explain this metaphor is like this: The truth that God gives you is like a Roman soldier’s belt. The belt holds up his long clothes so that he is able to run and fight. God’s truth supports you in your fight with Satan.

belt of truth buckled: The Greek text is literally “having tied your waist with truth.” Notice that the word belt does not occur in Greek.

Some languages may be like Greek and have a verb like “tie” to indicate this action. Other languages will have to translate this as the Berean Standard Bible and supply the word belt. Another simple way to say this is:

the rope to tie your waist

truth: Paul did not specifically say what aspect of truth he was talking about. Scholars interpret this in two ways:

(1) “God’s truth” or “the truth about God”

(2) “tell the truth” or “be truthful”

If you can translate without specifying the type of truth, it is better to do so. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In some languages, the word “true” may be more natural than the word truth. If this is the case in your language, you could say something like:

do what you know to be true

Here are some ways to translate 6:14b:

• Keep the metaphor. Some ways to express the metaphor are:

Take truth and tie your waist with it.
-or-
Tie the belt round your waist. The belt is ⌊God’s⌋ truth.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. (God’s Word)
-or-
Live according to what is true. This will be like tying a ⌊soldier’s⌋ belt round your waist.

• Give the full meaning of the metaphor. For example:

⌊As a soldier⌋ ties a belt round his waist ⌊to prepare himself to fight⌋, ⌊follow God’s⌋ truth ⌊to prepare yourself⌋ ⌊to fight against the devil⌋.

6:14c

with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed: A breastplate was a piece of armor that a Roman soldier wore on his chest, and sometimes it also extended to cover his back. It protected him from the enemy’s swords, arrows and spears. It was made of tough leather or metal. See the breastplate of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

This is a metaphor. Paul compared righteousness to a breastplate. One way to fully explain this metaphor is like this: “Just as a breastplate protects a soldier in a battle, so your confidence in the truth of Christ making you righteous will protect you when Satan attacks you.”

righteousness: Paul did not specifically say what aspect of righteousness he was talking about. Scholars interpret this in two ways:

(1) God’s righteousness or God considers a believer as righteous because of Christ. For example:

let God’s justice protect you like armor

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

(2) The believer does what is right or the believer has behavior that is righteous/upright. For example:

the protection of right living on your chest

(New Century Version, Revised English Bible)

If you can translate without specifying the type of righteousness, it is better to do so. Many English versions do this (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation and others). If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). See righteous in the Glossary.

Here are some ways to translate 6:14c:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Put on Christ’s right behavior as your breastplate.
-or-
Put on the breastplate. The breastplate is Christ’s right behavior.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Christ behaved righteously ⌊for you⌋. Realizing this will be like putting on a breastplate.

• Give the full meaning of the metaphor. For example:

⌊As a soldier⌋ puts on a breastplate ⌊to protect himself in battle⌋, depend on Christ’s righteousness ⌊to protect you when the devil attacks⌋.

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