Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
15. your feet shod ] Lit., and better, having shod your feet. See note above, on “having on.” If the warrior is to “ stand ” he must have no unprotected and uncertain foot -hold.
the preparation ] The Gr. word occurs here only in N.T. In the LXX. it occurs several times, and tends, curiously, to denote equipment in the special form of base or pedestal ( e.g. Ezr 3:3; A.V. “bases”). Such a meaning is obviously in point here, where the imagery suggests not readiness to run, but foothold for standing. Equipment will be a fair rendering.
the gospel of peace ] Cp. Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; and the quotation, Rom 10:15. Those passages are closely linked to this by the concurrence in them of the words “feet” and “message of peace.” But in them the imagery distinctly suggests movement, message-bearing; in this, as distinctly, steadfastness in personal spiritual warfare. Here, accordingly, we interpret “the Gospel, the glad message, of peace,” to mean the Divine revelation of peace as heard and welcomed by the Christian for himself. See above, Eph 2:17 (and note), where the words “Gospel” (in the Gr.) and “peace” also concur; and, for other mentions of the Gospel message and work in the Epistle, Eph 1:13, Eph 3:6; Eph 3:8, and below Eph 6:19.
The paradox here, “ peace ” as part of the panoply of the holy war, is as significant as it is beautiful. The warrior’s foothold needs to be settled, sure, and restful, just in proportion to the stress around him. “Peace with God” (Rom 5:1), the peace of justification, and its holy sequel and accompaniment, “the peace of God, keeping the heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:7), are just then most necessary to the saint’s spirit, and most real to his consciousness, when put to the proof “in the evil day.” Christ, in Himself, is the Rock of vantage; a clear view and personal hold of Him revealed is the secret of a true foothold upon Him. The Apostle himself stood in this strength when he wrote, “I know Whom I have believed, &c.” (2Ti 1:12).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And your feet shod – There is undoubtedly an allusion here to what was worn by the ancient soldier to guard his feet. The Greek is, literally, having underbound the feet; that is, having bound on the shoes, or sandais, or whatever was worn by the ancient soldier. The protection of the feet and ankles consisted of two parts:
(1) The sandals, or shoes, which were probably made so as to cover the foot, and which often were fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to make the hold firm in the ground: or.
(2) With greaves that were fitted to the legs, and designed to defond them from any danger. These greaves, or boots 1Sa 17:6, were made of brass, and were in almost universal use among the Greeks and Romans.
With the preparation – Prepared with the gospel of peace. The sense is, that the Christian soldier is to be prepared with the gospel of peace to meet attacks similar to those against which the ancient soldier designed to guard himself by the sandals or greaves which he wore. The word rendered preparation – ( hetoimasia) – means properly readiness, fitness for, alacrity; and the idea, according to Robinson (Lexicon), is, that they were to be ever ready to go forth to preach the gospel. Taylor (Fragments to Calmets Dic., No. 219) supposes that it means, Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel; not iron, not steel – but patient investigation, calm inquiry, assiduous, laborious, lasting; or with firm footing in the gospel of peace. Locke supposes it to mean, with a readiness to walk in the gospel of peace. Doddridge supposes that the allusion is to greaves, and the spirit recommended is that peaceful and benevolent temper recommended in the gospel, and which, like the boots worn by soldiers, would bear them safe through many obstructions and trials that might be opposed to them, as a soldier might encounter sharp-pointed thorns that would oppose his progress.
It is difficult to determine the exact meaning; and perhaps all expositors have erred in endeavoring to explain the reference of these parts of armor by some particular thing in the gospel. The apostle figured to himself a soldier, clad in the usual manner. Christians were to resemble him. One part of his dress or preparation consisted in the covering and defense of the foot. It was to preserve the foot from danger, and to secure the facility of his march, and perhaps to make him firm in battle. Christians were to have the principles of the gospel of peace – the peaceful and pure gospel – to facilitate them; to aid them in their marches; to make them firm in the day of conflict with their foes. They were not to be furnished with carnal weapons, but with the peaceful gospel of the Redeemer; and, sustained by this, they were to go on in their march through the world. The principles of the gospel were to do for them what the greaves and iron-spiked sandals did for the soldier – to make them ready for the march, to make them firm in their foot-tread, and to be a part of their defense against their foes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Eph 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace
1.The particular grace which is here meant. The grace itself is comprised under the word preparation. It implies a furniture which the gospel of peace procures and prepares; or a heart settled, resolved, and prepared by the gospel of peace, to go on to God through all difficulties. Now, the very grace itself, which thus settles the soul, I take to be patience; for it is, without doubt, the drift and scope of the apostle to arm the Christian soldier against trouble and affliction by this particular piece of spiritual armour here meant: but what grace so fit thereunto as patience?
2. The fitness of the metaphor. The piece of harness whereunto patience is here resembled, is that whereby a soldiers feet or legs are covered; for feet are here expressed, and the metaphor of being shod implies as much. By feet he means legs also: the pieces of armour proper to this purpose are called greaves or leg harness; they are also called soldiers shoes and boots. The metaphor may either be generally taken of all shoes, or particularly of greaves. We all know the use of shoes is to keep our feet from sharp stones, hard clods, etc.; for our feet are naturally tender, insomuch that if we go abroad barefoot, every hard stone hurts them, every sharp stick and pricking thorn pierces them; therefore we are accustomed not to venture abroad barefoot. If any be so foolhardy as to venture, soon will he wax weary, and either sit down and go no further, or else turn back again. But if we have good boots or shoes on, then we think ourselves well fenced, and so with boldness and courage go on, whatsoever the way be. To apply this: Stones, sticks, thorns, and the like, are not more grievous to our bare feet, than troubles, crosses, and afflictions are to our naked heart and soul. Now then, this world, through which we must pass to heaven, being a very hard and rough way, stony and thorny, full of all sorts of afflictions, if our souls be naked and bare, not fenced with patience, and so fitted and prepared well to endure all crosses, we shall either never venture to enter into this hard way, or at least not endure to hold out therein. But if our souls be thoroughly possessed with sound and true patience, then shall we with undaunted courage pass through all the troubles of this world.
3. How patience is procured. By the gospel of peace. The gospel prepares our hearts by declaring
(1) That nothing shall hurt us.
(2) That all things shall turn to our good. (William Gouge.)
Feet shod
The safety of a mountain climber depends upon being well shod. Therefore the Swiss guides wear heavy shoes, with sharp spikes in the soles. On a bright July morning [says Theo. L. Cuyler], a famous scientist of England started with two gentlemen to ascend the Piz Morteratsch, a steep and lofty snow mountain in Switzerland. Though experienced mountaineers, they took with them Jenni, the boldest guide in that district. After reaching the summit of the Morteratsch, they started back, and soon arrived at a steep slope covered with thin snow. They were lashed together with a strong rope, which was tied to each mans waist. Keep carefully in my steps, gentlemen, said Jenni; for a false step here might start the snow, and send us down in an avalanche. He had scarcely spoken when the whole field of snow began to slide down the icy mountain side, carrying the unfortunate climbers with it at a terrible pace. A steeper slope was before them, and at the end of it a precipice. The three foremost men were almost buried in the whirling snow. Below them were the jaws of death. Everything depended upon getting a foothold. Jenni shouted loudly, Halt, halt! and with desperate energy drove his iron-nailed boots into the firm ice beneath the moving snow. Within a few rods of the precipice, Jenni got a hold with his feet, and was able to bring the party up all standing, when a few seconds more would have swept them into the chasm. This hairbreadth escape shows the value of being well shod when in dangerous places, especially for the young. No boy is prepared for rough climbing unless he is well shod with Christian principles.
Heavenly shoes
Christians are meant to be steadfast, active, moving, progressing, ascending; hence their feet are carefully provided for. They are feeble in themselves, and need protection; their road also is rough; hence they need the shoe which grace provides.
I. Let us examine the shoes.
1. They come from a blessed Maker. One who is skilful in all arts, and knows by experience what is wanted, since He has Himself journeyed through lifes roughest ways.
2. They are made of excellent material–the preparation of the gospel of peace. Well seasoned, soft in wear, lasting long.
(1) Peace with God as to the past, the future, the present.
(2) Peace of full submission to the Divine mind and will.
(3) Peace with the Word and all its teachings
(4) Peace with ones inner self, conscience, fears, desires, etc.
(5) Peace with brethren in the Church and the family.
(6) Peace with all man, kind (Rom 12:18).
3. They are such as none can make except the Lord, who both sends the gospel and prepares the peace.
4. They are such shoes as Jesus wore, and all the saints.
5. They are such as will never wear out; they are old, yet ever new; we may wear them at all ages and in all places.
II. Let us try them on. Observe with delight–
1. Their perfect fitness. They are made to suit each one of us.
2. Their excellent foothold: we can tread with holy boldness upon our high places with these shoes.
3. Their marching powers for daily duty. No one grows weary or footsore when he is thus shod.
4. Their wonderful protection against trials by the way (Psa 91:13).
5. Their pleasantness of wear, giving rest to the whole man.
6. Their adaptation for hard work.
7. Their endurance of fire and water (Isa 43:2).
8. Their fighting qualities.
III. Let us look at the barefooted around us.
1. The sinner is unshod. Yet he kicks against the pricks. How can he hope to fulfil the heavenly pilgrimage?
2. The professor is slipshod, or else he wears tight shoes. His fine slippers will soon be worn out. He loves not the gospel, knows not its peace, seeks not its preparation. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The gospel shoe
None can make a shoe to the creatures foot, so that he shall go easy on a hard way, but Christ; He can do it to the creatures full content. And how doth He do it? Truly, no other way than by underlaying it; or, if you will, lining it with the peace of the gospel. What though the way be set with sharp stones? if this shoe go between the Christians foot and them, they cannot much be felt. It is the soldiers shoe that is meant, which, if right, is to be of the strongest make, being not so much intended for finery as for defence. The gospel shoe will not come on thy foot so long as that foot is swelled with any sinful humour (I mean any unrighteous or unholy practice). This evil must be purged out by repentance, or thou canst not wear the shoe of peace. The Jews were to eat their passover with their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand, and all in haste (Exo 12:11). When God is feasting the Christian with present comforts, he must have this gospel shoe on; he must not sit down as if he were feasting at home, but stand and eat even as he takes a running meal in an inn on his way, willing to be gone as soon as ever he is a little refreshed for his journey. The conceited professor, who hath a high opinion of himself, is a man shod and prepared, he thinks; but not with the right gospel shoe. He that cannot take the length of his foot, how can he of himself fit a shoe to it? Is not thy shoe, Christian, yet on? art thou not yet ready to march? If thou hast it, what hast thou to dread? Canst fear that any stone can hurt thy foot through so thick a sole? (William Gurnall.)
Pauls shoeing
Paul was thus shod: I am persuaded, nothing shall separate me from the love of God (Rom 8:38). All things, I know, work together for the good of them that are beloved of God (Rom 8:28). And this furniture made him go such hard ways cheerfully, in which showers of afflictions did fall as thick as hailstones. This doth make Gods children, though not in the letter, yet in some sort, tread upon the adder and the basilisk; yea, to defy vipers, and receive no hurt; whereas, if the feet be bared a little with the absence of this peace, anything causeth us sore smart. (Paul Bayne.)
The shoes of peace
1.The first is, that you must always have peace–a prepared peace–under your feet, like the shoes you tread in–carrying it with you, as the base upon which yon stand. This is what we want–to have Gods peace as a foundation–a sure, firm thing under us. Not something which we are to reach by and by; but a fact, a resting point. Christ is mine! The enmity is gone! I am forgiven! How strong will be your step! how quiet your journey! how calm your bearing–with this feeling–I walk in my holy confidence. My feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
2. The next thing in the illustration is, you must go–not only in peace–but as a peacemaker.
3. But you may come nearer to Him still. As a servant of the Cross, you are appointed the high work to bring souls to Christ. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
The sandals of the Christian soldier
I. First, with regard to the portion of armour spoken of. The covering for the legs, in military equipment, would be most familiarly understood by the name of greaves, and the most apt representative to our own minds would be that of a high military boot, made of jointed steel or brass.
1. Having thus glanced at the scope of the apostles metaphor, let us look at the word he employs in his illustration. Thus, you will observe, he says it is the preparation of the gospel. The gospel–glad tidings, cheering and long looked for intelligence from the court of heaven. Now, says the apostle, here is a preparation for you. Christian traveller, you are going on a trying pilgrimage; Christian soldier, you are about to enter upon an arduous warfare; comfort ye one another with these words–take with you as the companion and solace of all your trials the glorious gospel of the blessed God these tidings from the great Father of your spirits, tidings of mercy, tidings of reconciliation, tidings of assured sympathy and support through all your trials, until through grace you are more than conquerors. This is to be your preparation, this your stay and stand.
2. But the suitableness of this part of the apostles reference will appear further when we look at the next expression–The gospel of peace. First, of peace with God. This is all-important to the Christian warrior. Were we about to enter on some long journey, or were we quitting our native shores to enter upon some foreign expedition, how heavy would the thought lie at the heart, that all was not right and happy at home. A man of God, visiting the bedsides of the wounded and dying at the hospital of Scutari, was asked by one, who felt that his hours were numbered, to write a letter to his father. The visitor complied; and having concluded, asked the dying man in what words he should subscribe it–Your dutiful and affectionate son? No, no, said the dying man, not dutiful; I never have been a dutiful son; the thought which most agonises my soul at this moment is, that my disobedience and unkindness have well nigh broken my fathers heart. I quote it to show how essential to the happiness of the Christian soldier it is, that he should go forth with a sense of reconciliation upon his spirit that he should feel his heavenly Father was looking upon him with a pleasant countenance, that his heart should be comforted with the answer of peace. The apostle knew that no soldier could fight happily, or fight well, while there was this load of unpardoned sin lying at his door.
3. But the expression may be taken in reference to another part of gospel preparation equally necessary for the Christian soldier, namely, that we should have peace one with another. See that ye fall not out by the way, was the advice of Joseph to his brethren.
II. Let us proceed to our second inquiry: for what is this part of the soldiers equipment especially designed to prepare us?–this preparation of the gospel of peace.
1. Well, first, it is designed to prepare us for active and persevering service. The Israelites had to be well shod, because they had before them a journey of forty years in the wilderness; and yet at the end of that time, we are told, their shoes waxed not old, neither did their foot swell.
2. Again: this part of our Christian covering may be designed to prepare us for hidden and unsuspected dangers. The refined cruelty of ancient warfare, as I have said, was to hide traps a little beneath the surface of the earth. We have some remarkable allusions to these things in the Psalms. In the way I have walked they have privily laid snares for me. The proud have hid a snare for me, and have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. In the way where they have laid snares for me is their own foot taken.
3. Once more: a designed part of this gospel preparation is to prepare us to endure sharp afflictions. The ancient soldier was preserved by his greaves from any fatal injury; but this did not prevent him often encountering those concealed snares, and in encountering them, from enduring much of suffering and pain. (D. Moore, M. A.)
Ready, aye ready
We have here a full-length picture of a Roman soldier, from head to foot. The offensive weapons are mostly omitted, with the exception of the sword; the defensive armour is elaborately and minutely described. And the feet are not to be left out; a soldiers boots are one of the most important parts of his equipment, as all generals well know, and a Roman soldiers military shoe was a heavy one, with great hobnails in it, like the spikes in an Alpine climbers boots, with which he might gain a good grip of the ground, and stand in dogged resistance against any force that might be brought against him. So says Paul, Let your feet be shod with the preparation, as our Bible has it, or rather the preparedness which would suggest the true meaning better. Preparation is an act, but what is meant here is a state, not an act. Preparedness, or readiness, or alacrity, or some such word as that would give the meaning. And this preparedness, this condition of being ready for any strain and stress of antagonism that may come upon a man all of a sudden, is to be drawn from the gospel of peace. Of course, there is running in the apostles mind, though perhaps he did not remember it himself, Isaiahs words: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. But he binds the two ideas of gospel and peace together, without regard to their location in the original passage. And his thought is just this: Whosoever has got his whole spiritual being based upon the gospel which brings peace, by its message and its gifts, will thereby be ready for any sudden alarm and assault, ready for any duty, and any circumstance that may be sprung upon him unexpectedly, like lightning out of a clear sky. The Christian then is to stand, being made ready in the very basis of his being, because he possesses the gospel in his heart, that brings peace there.
I. Now, the first thing that strikes me about these words as being very beautiful and significant is the combination of the two antagonistic ideas of warfare and peace. It is the soldiers equipment that comes from this gospel of peace. The apostle evidently thinks that the possession in our souls of that inward peace which comes from the great message and work of Jesus Christ is the best preparation for the fight. If you want peace prepare for war, says the heathenish and wicked old motto. If you want war and victory, secure peace in your hearts, is the Christian article of belief. The two things are not compatible, a central repose and a ruffled surface. The frost of a winters night goes an inch or two into the ground, but the heart of the globe is a fire. And there may be, all round about us, touching and affecting the surface of our being, distractions enough, distractions of circumstances, of sorrows, of difficulties, many things that are at enmity with joy and with tranquillity, and yet away down in the depths, which are the real man, there may be a stillness as of some land-locked valley that heareth not the loud winds when they call. Your feet may be shod for all the warfare, with the readiness that comes from the possession of a general peace. The foes may storm round the little castle, but in the centre of the keep there may be a quiet room, with thick walls and curtains, where no sound of warfare ever reaches.
II. And, then, look at the other thought of how this possession of a heart made tranquil because it is quite sure of its harmonious friendship with God, and because it is not suffering from the dreary emotions of passions and lusts, makes a man ready for anything, beady for the march, ready for the fight. Ready for the march. What is it that hinders us from being prepared for any new duties that may come to us, or any new circumstances that may call for our endurance, but one thing–that our wills have not been submitted to His; and another thing–that we have not learned to sit loose to this world, as the old Puritans used to say. Now, whoever has, deep in his heart, the repose that comes from the possession of the gospel of peace, will have these two things also. He will have a will that is bent and bowed to Gods, and he will not hold with such a desperate grip by the things of this present. And so, when new tasks come he will be ready for them, and when the new circumstances emerge out of the darkness they will not take him by surprise, and he will be ready, according to the motto of the old Scotch family, Ready! aye ready! His feet will be shod with the alacrity, the quickness to apprehend, and apprehending, to accept any new circumstances that may come to him.
III. How can this preparedness be increased and made habitual? Do not forget, dear brethren, that these words, as they stand in the original, are a commandment We are bidden to put on these marching shoes. It is ours to determine the extent which we shall have the peace that makes ready, and the gospel that brings peace. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Preparedness
What this preparation is, will best appear by considering the part it is designed for; and that is the foot, the only member in the body to be shod; and the piece of armour it is compared to, and that is the soldiers shoe, which, if right, is to be of the strongest make, being not so much intended for finery as defence; and that so necessary, that for want of it alone, the soldier, in some cases, is disabled for service; as when he is called to march far on hard ways, and those may be, strewed with sharp stones; how long will ye go, if not shod, without wounding or foundering? or if the way be good, but the weather bad, and his feet not fenced from the wet and cold, they are not so far from the head, but the cold got in them may strike up to that; yea, bring a disease of the whole body which will keep him on his bed when he should be in the field; as many almost are surfeited as slain in armies. Now what the foot is to the body, that the will is to the soul. The foot carries the whole body, and the will the soul; yea, the whole man, body and soul also. Voluntas est locomotiva facultas; we go whither our will sends us. And what the shoe is to the foot, that preparation, or if you please a readiness and alacrity, is to the will. The man whose feet are well shod fears no road, but goes through thick and thin; foul or fair, stones or straws, are all alike to him that is well shod; while the bare-footed man, or slenderly shod, shrinks when he feels the wet, and shrieks when he lights on a sharp stone. Thus, when the will and heart of a man are prompt, and ready to do any work, the man is as it were shod and armed against all trouble and difficulty which he is to go over in the doing of it. They say the Irish tread so light on the ground, that they will ran over some bogs, wherein any other almost would stick or sink. A prepared, ready heart I am sure will do this in a spiritual sense; none can walk where he can run: he makes nothing of afflictions, yea, persecutions, but goes singing over them. David never so merry as in the cave (Psa 57:1-11); and how came he so? My heart is prepared, my heart is prepared (saith he), I will sing and give praise. If Davids heart had not been shod with this preparation, he would not have liked the way so well he was in; you would have had him sing to another tune, and heard him quarrel with his destiny, or fall out with his profession, that had put him to so much trouble, and driven him from the pleasures of a princes court, to hide himself underground in a cave from those that hunted for his precious life. He would have spent his breath rather in pitying and bemoaning himself, than in praising of God. An unprepared heart, that is not well satisfied with its work or condition, hangs back; and though it may be brought to submit to it with much ado, yet it is but as a foundered horse on a stony way, who goes in pain every step, and would oft be turning out of the path if bit and whip did not keep him in. But why is it called the preparation of the gospel of peace? Because the gospel of peace is the great instrument by which God works the will and heart of man into this readiness and preparation to do or suffer what He calls to. It is the business we are set about, when preaching the gospel, to make a willing people (Psa 110:1-7). To make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luk 1:1-80). As the captain is sent to beat up his drum in a city, to call in a company that will voluntarily list themselves to follow the princes wars, and be in a readiness to take the field, and march at an hours warning; thus the gospel comes to call over the hearts of men to the foot of God, to stand ready for His service, whatever it costs them; now this it doth as it is a gospel of peace. It brings the joyful tidings of peace concluded betwixt God and man by the blood of Jesus; and this is so welcome to the trembling conscience of poor sinners, who before melted away their sorrowful days in a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation from the Lord to devour them as His adversaries, that no sooner the report of a peace concluded betwixt God and them sounds in their ears by the preaching of the gospel, and is certainly confirmed to be true in their own consciences by the Spirit, who is sent from heaven to seal it to them, and give them some sweet gust of it, by shedding abroad the sense of it in their souls; but instantly there appears a new life in them, that they who before were so fearful and shy of every petty trouble, as to start at the thought of it (knowing it could bring no good news to them), are now shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, able to go out smilingly to meet the greatest sufferings that are, or can be on the way towards them, and say undauntingly to them, as once Christ did to those that came with swords and staves to attack Him, Whom seek ye? Being justified by faith we have peace with God, saith the apostle (Rom 5:1). And this, how mightily doth it work!–even to make them glory in tribulations. The words opened afford these two points.
1. It is our duty to be always prepared, and ready to meet with any trial and endure any hardship which God may lay out for us in our Christian warfare.
2. The peace which the gospel brings and speaks to the heart will make the creature ready to wade through any trial or trouble that meets him in his Christian course. (W. Gurnall, M. A.)
Christian promptitude
The Christian warrior must march, for his career is but a battle and a march, and a march and a battle; he is ever to keep himself in marching order, and ever to be ready to march at a moments notice, for his feet are to be strapped in shoes of swiftness. And whence is this promptitude to be derived? From the gospel of peace,–or peace the substance of the gospel. For the possession of peace with God creates blessed security of heart, and confers upon the mind peculiar and continuous celerity of action and movement. There is nothing to disconcert or perplex it, or divide and retard its energies. (J. Eadie, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. Your feet shod] The , or greaves, have been already described; they were deemed of essential importance in the ancient armour; if the feet or legs are materially wounded, a man can neither stand to resist his foe, pursue him if vanquished, nor flee from him should he have the worst of the fight.
That the apostle has obedience to the Gospel in general in view, there can be no doubt; but he appears to have more than this, a readiness to publish the Gospel: for, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth PEACE; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15.
The lsraelites were commanded to eat the passover with their feet shod, to show that they were ready for their journey. And our Lord commands his disciples to be shod with sandals, that they might be ready to go and publish the Gospel, as the Israelites were to go to possess the promised land. Every Christian should consider himself on his journey from a strange land to his own country, and not only stand every moment prepared to proceed, but be every moment in actual progress towards his home.
The preparation of the Gospel] The word which we translate preparation, is variously understood: some think it means an habitual readiness in walking in the way prescribed by the Gospel; others that firmness and solidity which the Gospel gives to them who conscientiously believe its doctrines; others, those virtues and graces which in the first planting of Christianity were indispensably necessary to those who published it.
Should we take the word preparation in its common acceptation, it may imply that, by a conscientious belief of the Gospel, receiving the salvation provided by its author, and walking in the way of obedience which is pointed out by it, the soul is prepared for the kingdom of heaven.
The Gospel is termed the Gospel of peace, because it establishes peace between God and man, and proclaims peace and good will to the universe. Contentions, strife, quarrels, and all wars, being as alien from its nature and design, as they are opposed to the nature of Him who is love and compassion to man.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Your feet shod; in allusion to the greaves or military shoes with which soldiers covered their feet and legs. A Christians way lies through rough places, through briers and thorns, and therefore he needs this piece of armour. He must be prepared to hold the faith, and confess Christ in the most difficult times.
With the preparation of the gospel of peace; with that furniture which the gospel affords him, which being a
gospel of peace, and bringing the glad tidings of reconciliation to God by Christ, prepares men best to undergo the troubles of the world: see Joh 16:33.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. Translate, “Having shodyour feet” (referring to the sandals, or to the military shoesthen used).
the preparationrather,”the preparedness,” or “readiness of,” that is,arising from the “Gospel” (Ps10:17). Preparedness to do and suffer all that God wills;readiness for march, as a Christian soldier.
gospel of peace(compareLuk 1:79; Rom 10:15).The “peace” within forms a beautiful contrast to the ragingof the outward conflict (Isa 26:3;Phi 4:7).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. The Gospel is so called, because it makes men to be of peaceable tempers and behaviour, and gives peace to distressed minds: it directs the way to eternal peace, and publishes peace made by the blood of Christ; and has a much better claim to this name, and epithet, than the law has, which is often called “peace” by the Jews l: the “preparation” of it does not design a promptitude or readiness to preach the Gospel, or to receive it, or profess it, or to give a reason of faith in it, or to endure reproach and persecution for it; nor that readiness which the Gospel is a means of, as for every good work, for the spiritual warfare, for the Christian’s journey heavenward, or for heaven itself: but the word
signifies a “base”, or foundation; and so it is used by the Septuagint interpreters on Zec 5:11; and here it designs a firm and solid knowledge of the Gospel, as it publishes peace by Jesus Christ, which yields a sure foundation for the Christian soldier to set his foot upon, and stand fast on; it being that to him, as the shoe is to the foot, its base or foundation: and for the feet to be “shod with” it, does not mean the outward conversation being agreeably to the Gospel, though such a walk and conversation is very beautiful and safe, and such may walk and war with intrepidity: but it designs the constant and firm standing of believers in the faith of the Gospel, and so striving and contending for it, without being moved from it, that it may continue with them. Shoes or boots, which were sometimes of iron, and sometimes of brass, are reckoned among the armour of soldiers m.
l Zohar in Numb. fol. 73. 3. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 9. 3. m Pausan. l. 6. p. 362, 378. Julian. Orat. 2. p. 105. Alex. ab Alexandro, l. 6. c. 22.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Having shod (). “Having bound under” (sandals). First aorist middle participle of , old word, to bind under (Mark 6:9; Acts 12:8, only other N.T. example).
With the preparation ( ). Late word from , to make ready, only here in N.T. Readiness of mind that comes from the gospel whose message is peace.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Preparation [] . Only here in the New Testament. The Roman soldier substituted for the greaves of the Greek (metal plates covering the lower part of the leg) the caligae or sandals, bound by thongs over the instep and round the ankle, and having the soles thickly studded with nails. They were not worn by the superior officers, so that the common soldiers were distinguished as caligati. Etoimasia means readiness; but in Hellenistic Greek it was sometimes used in the sense of establishment or firm foundation, which would suit this passage : firm – footing. Compare Isa 52:7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And your feet shod” (kai hupodesomenoi tous podas) “And your feet shod, or under-bound.” Having shod your feet, which need to be protected, stand. The feet were to be shod with military sandals, not a mere house sandal, ready for a battle stand. Let it be remembered that the living and written Word of truth is a “lamp and light” to a good soldier’s feet and path, Psa 119:105; Psa 119:130; Rom 10:15; Isa 52:7-8.
2) “With the preparation” (en hetoimasia) “With readiness or preparation,” or making ready the mind and attitude for warfare and battle; a firmness of mind, a good footing, ground, or foundation.
3) “Of the gospel of peace” (tou evangelliou tes eirenes) “Of the good news (gospel) of peace.” The preparedness which comes to the soldier is from the gospel message of peace in Jesus Christ, Rom 5:1. It is a peace which gives a sense of freedom, relief, and release from the burden of sin and provides a spirit of courage for battle, Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; Rom 10:15. With this peace within one may face the foe with courage, Joh 14:27; Joh 16:33; Col 3:15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
15. And your feet shod. The allusion, if I mistake not, is to the military greaves; for they were always reckoned a part of the armor, and were even used for domestic purposes. As soldiers covered their legs and feet to protect them against cold and other injuries, so we must be shod with the gospel, if we would pass unhurt through the world. It is the gospel of peace, and it is so called, as every reader must perceive, from its effects; for it is the message of our reconciliation to God, and nothing else gives peace to the conscience. But what is the meaning of the word preparation? Some explain it as an injunction to be prepared for the gospel; but it is the effect of the gospel which I consider to be likewise expressed by this term. We are enjoined to lay aside every hinderance, and to be prepared both for journey and for war. By nature we dislike exertion, and want agility. A rough road and many other obstacles retard our progress, and we are discouraged by the smallest annoyance. On these accounts, Paul holds out the gospel as the fittest means for undertaking and performing the expedition. Erasmus proposes a circumlocution, ( ut sitis parati ,) that ye may be prepared; but this does not appear to convey the true meaning.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) Shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.This passage is one which even to the Greek interpreters (see Chrysostom) was obscure. What is the preparation of the gospel of peace? (1) It has seemed to many natural to illustrate this phrase by the celebrated passage (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15), How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace; and to interpret, shod in (or, for) preparing the way of the gospel of peace. But this is inappropriate to the whole context; for each piece of armour is a quality, and not a function. (2) Again, the word rendered preparation, is found nowhere else in the New Testament; in the LXX. we find it used in its most obvious sense of preparedness or readiness (as in Psa. 10:17, preparedness of heart, and Neh. 2:3); but this sense will not suit the passage, for readiness of the gospel of peace is hardly intelligible, and certainly is not a quality of the soul. (3) We come therefore, at last, to a derivative and improper sense, which, however, is most frequently used in the LXX., viz., foundation or base, as in Dan. 11:7; Ezr. 2:6; Ezr. 3:3; Zec. 5:10; Psa. 88:14. The context certainly suggests that we should explain the word here by this last Hellenistic use, as signifying simply the footing or basis. The calig, or sandals, of the Roman soldiers were heavy sandals studded with hobnails, to give a secure foothold to those who would stand firm. St. Paul identifies these with the firm footing of the gospel of peace. Clearly the word peace is here emphatic. The gospel is looked upon as the declaration of peace on earth, goodwill towards men. The firm stand on this message is the firm assurance of Gods love. In this, and this alone, we stand. No doubt, this is in some sense faith, but faith of a wholly different character from the defensive faith of the next verse.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Shod Sandalled. The sandal was a leathern or wooden sole, strapped to the bottom of the foot by a thong, or latchet, which, winding around the ankle, was fastened by a knot. The sandals were generally unworn within
doors, and those of the wealthy were sometimes carried, tied, or unloosed by a servant. The warrior ready for battle would, of course, be tightly sandalled.
Preparation Literally, preparedness, readiness. The feet of the soldier should be the residence of readiness, alertness, nimbleness, whether to chase the flying foe, or flee the victorious pursuer, or, as a herald, to bear the offers of peace to the enemy or the news of victory to his countrymen. Presupposing all these purposes of the soldier’s readiness, it is this last purpose, as herald, that St. Paul is led by the genius of the gospel to specify. His words are an evident allusion to Isa 52:7, “Beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings of good.”
Gospel of peace That is the good news, the glad tidings of peace from God. This blessed office is not confined to the ministry alone, but the whole Church is a herald of peace. And so every Christian soldier, even in fighting the battle, is both a warrior and a herald. And his readiness to bear both offices at once are here figured by the sandals.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And having shod your feet with the preparation (or readiness or equipment) of the Gospel of peace.’
In Ephesians peace refers to peace with God (Eph 2:13-14 compare Col 1:20), ‘peace from God’ (Eph 1:2; Eph 6:23), and the resulting peace between Christians (Eph 2:14-16; Eph 4:3), all included in the message of peace which He has proclaimed to us (Eph 2:17). Peace with God means that our hearts are right with Him and that there is no shadow between. It is ours because we have been reckoned as righteous by faith (Rom 5:1) and this enables us to stand, confident of victory, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:2).
Indeed it is the God of peace, the God Who brings peace, the God Who gives peace to His own, Who will bruise Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20) through the Gospel of peace. Both of these aspects are particularly apposite here. Peace with God is our assurance and protection. Peace from God, flooding our very beings (Php 4:7), will further protect us from all that the Enemy can throw at us and result in confidence and assurance.
Having the feet shod in good shoewear was a vital part of a soldier’s equipment. It affected all his movements, including his sense of comfort, his ability to travel long distances at speed, and his agility on the battlefield. It put him at peace with himself. Nothing is better for our peace of mind than to know that we have peace with God and peace from God, two aspects of the same privilege. Then there is nothing between us and God and His peace fills our souls. Then are we ready to stand in the battle and are equipped for what we must face. Then can we march forward in comfort and strength. And being at peace with one another we will fight as one whole.
In view of the context and Rom 16:20, this footwear may well have in mind the bruising of the Serpent’s head in Gen 3:15. It is the fact that we are confident that we have peace with God, and because of the cross through which we found that peace, that we are enabled to tread down the Enemy without fear.
‘The preparation’. (Hetoimasia). This word is used of a ship’s tackle and can mean equipment, and could thus be translated ‘boots’. If, however, we see it as preparedness then we may see it as meaning that the Christian soldier must at all time be ready with the Good News of peace with God to combat the enemy and deliver the enslaved.
The importance to Paul of peace from God cannot be over-exaggerated. The idea is always contained in his greetings, and regularly in his final salutations and in his prayers for God’s people. To him God is the God of peace (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; 1Th 5:23; 2Th 3:16), and peace is His children’s birthright. And the Good News is the good news of peace, from the One Who has made peace through the blood of His cross (Col 1:20).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eph 6:15. Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. “With that peaceful and benevolent temper which is so much recommended by the gospel, as an essential part of the Christian character; and which, like the boots worn by soldiers, willbearyouunhurt through the many difficulties and trials, which, like sharp-pointed thorns, may lie in your way, and dangerously obstruct your progress.” Mr. Locke understands by this, an habitual readiness to walk in the way of the gospel of peace; as if it were intended, as a general injunction, to obey all its precepts: but it evidently appears to be designed, in a particular manner, to point out the preparation which the gospel makes for our defence, by that peaceful temper which it so often teaches and inculcates.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eph 6:15 . And the service which the , the military sandals , Xen. Anab. iv. 5. 14 [Josephus, B. J . vi. 1. 8] ( caligae , compare the Heb. , Isa 9:4 ; see Gesenius, Thes. II. 932; Bynaeus, de calc. Hebr. p. 83 f.), render to the actual warrior, enabling him, namely, to advance against the enemy with agile and sure step, the is to render to you spiritual warriors, inasmuch as by virtue of it you march briskly and firmly against the Satanic powers.
. . .] having your feet underbound with the preparedness of the gospel of peace. does not stand for (Vulgate, Erasmus, Vatablus, and others), but is instrumental, as in Eph 6:14 , so that the is conceived of as the foot-clothing itself. Beza well remarks: “non enim vult nos docere dumtaxat, oportere nos esse calceatos, sed calceos etiam, ut ita loquar, nobis praebet.”
(with classical writers , Dem. 1268, 7, but see also Hippocr. p. 24, 47) is preparedness, [308] whether it be an outward standing ready (Josephus, Antt. x. 1. Ephesians 2 : ), or an inward being ready, promptitudo animi . So LXX. Psa 10:17 , comp. , Psa 57:7 ; Psa 112:7 , where the LXX. indicate the notion of a prepared mind, which is expressed in Hebrew by forms of the stem , by the use of and , following the signification of making ready, adjusting , which has in all the conjugations of it which occur (Deu 32:6 ; Psa 8:4 ; Gen 43:16 ; Pro 19:29 ; Neh 8:10 ; Psa 14:5 ), alongside of the signification of laying down, establishing, from which the former one is derived. Hence the LXX. translate too ( foundation , as Psa 89:15 ) by ; not as though in their usage signified foundation, which it never does, but because they understood in the sense of . So Ezr 2:68 , where the house of God is to be erected upon , upon the preparation thereof , i.e. upon the foundation already lying prepared. So also Ezr 3:3 ; Psa 89:15 ; Dan 11:20-21 . Wrongly, therefore, have Wolf (after the older expositors), Bengel, Zachariae, Morus, Koppe, Rosenmller, Flatt, Bleek, and others, explained by fundamentum or firmitas ; so that Paul is supposed to indicate “vel constantiam in tuenda religione Christi, vel religionem adeo ipsam, certam illam quidem et fundamento, cui insistere possis, similem,” Koppe. This is not only contrary to linguistic usage (see above), but also opposed to the context, since the notion does not suit the figurative conception of putting on shoes ( .). It is the readiness , the ready mind; not, however, for the proclamation of the gospel (so, in some instances with a reference to Isa 52:7 , Chrysostom, Oecumenius, Pelagius, Erasmus, Luther, Vatablus, Clarius, Cornelius a Lapide, Erasmus Schmid, Estius, Grotius, Calovius, Calixtus, Michaelis, and others, including Rckert, Meier, Baumgarten-Crusius), since, in fact, Paul is speaking to fellow- Christians , not to fellow- teachers , but the promptitudo and that for the conflict in question which the gospel bestows , which is produced by means of it. So Oecumenius (who has this interpretation alongside the former one), Calvin, Castalio, and others, including Matthies, Holzhausen, Harless, Olshausen, Winzer, de Wette, Schenkel. The explanation of Schleusner: “instar pedum armaturae sit vobis doctrina salutaris quae vobis semper in promptu sit ,” is to be rejected on account of Eph 6:17 , according to which the gospel is the sword .
] Subject-matter of the gospel, and that purposely designated in harmony with the context. For the gospel proclaims peace , i.e. peace with God, Rom 5:1 , Phi 1:20 , and produces precisely thereby the inner consecration of courageous readiness for the conflict in question (Rom 8:31 ; Rom 8:38-39 ). At variance with the context, Erasmus, Paraphr. , makes it: “evangelium, quod non tumultu, sed tolerantia tranquillitateque defenditur ;” and Michaelis holds: the peace between Jews and Gentiles is meant. If, however, it is taken, with Koppe and Morus, in accordance with the more extended sense of (comp. Rom 10:15 ), the salvation-bringing (rather: the salvation-proclaiming , comp. Eph 1:13 ) gospel, this is done without any justification from the text, and to the injury of the special colouring of the several particulars. Winzer, finally, contrary to the unity of the sense, combines peace with God and everlasting salvation.
[308] In Wis 13:12 it means making ready (food). The Vulg. translates it in our passage in praeparatione (comp. Artemid. ii. 57).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ver. 15. And your feet shod ] As one that is well booted or buskined can walk unhurt amidst briars and brambles, so may he amidst Satan’s snares, whereof all places are full, that is, fortified with gospel comforts, whereby God creates peace.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eph 6:15 . : and having shod your feet . So the RV; better than “and your feet shod” of AV. The reference comes in naturally in connection with the . The soldier, who will make this stand , must have his feet protected. The Heb. , sandal , is represented in the LXX by , which also occurs repeatedly in the Gospels and Acts, being also used both in the NT (Mar 6:9 ; Act 12:8 ), and in the LXX, as well as in Josephus, with the same sense. Here, however, the military sandal (Hebr. , Isa 9:4 ; Lat. caliga; cf. Joseph., Jew. Wars , Eph 6:1 ; Eph 6:8 , and Xen., Anab. , iv., 5) is in view, which protected the soldier’s feet and made it possible for him to move with quick and certain step. : with the preparedness . The form occurs in later Greek ( e.g. , Hippocr., p. 24; Joseph., Antiq. , x., 1, 2) and in the LXX ( cf. Psa 10:17 ), for the classical . It means ( a ) preparation in the active sense of making ready ( Wis 13:12 ); ( b ) a state of preparedness , whether external ( e.g. , , Joseph., Antiq. , x., 1, 2), or internal (Psa 10:17 ); perhaps also ( c ) something fixed, a foundation (= Heb. ; Dan 11:7 ). Some have given it this last sense here, either as = stedfastness in keeping the faith, or as = on the foundation , the strong and certain ground , of the Christian religion (Beng., Bleek, etc.). But in harmony with the general idea of the ethical equipment of the Christian, it means readiness, preparedness of mind . The is again the instrum prep. : of the Gospel of peace . The first gen, is that of origin , the second that of contents , = “the preparedness which comes from the Gospel whose message is peace”. The here is doubtless peace with God (Rom 5:1 ), that peace which alone imparts the sense of freedom, relieves us of what burdens us, and gives the spirit of courageous readiness for the battle with evil. The phrase “the Gospel of peace” is elsewhere associated with the idea of the message preached (Isa 52:7 ; Nah 1:15 ; cf. Rom 10:15 ). Here, however, the readiness is not zeal in proclaiming the Gospel, but promptitude with reference to the conflict . The preparedness , the mental alacrity with which we are inspired by the Gospel with its message of peace with God, is to be to us the protection and equipment which the sandals that cover his feet are to the soldier. With this we shall be helped to face the foe with courage and with promptitude.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
EPHESIANS
A SOLDIER’S SHOES
Eph 6:15
Paul drew the first draft of this picture of the Christian armour in his first letter. It is a finished picture here. One can fancy that the Roman soldier to whom he was chained in his captivity, whilst this letter was being written, unconsciously sat for his likeness, and that each piece of his accoutrements was seized in succession by the Apostle’s imagination and turned to a Christian use. It is worth noticing that there is only one offensive weapon mentioned-’the sword of the Spirit.’ All the rest are defensive-helmet, breastplate, shield, girdle, and shoes. That is to say, the main part of our warfare consists in defence, in resistance, and in keeping what we have, in spite of everybody, men and devils, who attempt to take it from us. ‘Hold fast that thou hast; let no man take thy crown.’
Now, it seems to me that the ordinary reader does not quite grasp the meaning of our text, and that it would be more intelligible if, instead of ‘preparation,’ which means the process of getting a thing ready, we read ‘preparedness,’ which means the state of mind of the man who is ready. Then we have to notice that the little word ‘of’ does duty to express two different relations, in the two instances of its use here. In the first case-’the preparedness of the Gospel’-it states the origin of the thing in question. That condition of being ready comes from the good news of Christ. In the second case-’the Gospel of peace’-it states the result of the thing in question. The good news of Christ gives peace. So, taking the whole clause, we may paraphrase it by saying that the preparedness of spirit, the alacrity which comes from the possession of a Gospel that sheds a calm over the heart and brings a man into peace with God, is what the Apostle thinks is like the heavy hob-nailed boots that the legionaries wore, by which they could stand firm, whatever came against them.
I. The first thing that I would notice here is that the Gospel brings peace.
I suppose that there was ringing in Paul’s head some echoes of the music of Isaiah’s words, ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good!’ But there is a great deal more than an unconscious quotation of ancient words here; for in Paul’s thought, the one power which brings a man into harmony with the universe and to peace with himself, is the power which proclaims that God is at peace with him. And Jesus Christ is our peace, because He has swept away the root and bitter fountain of all the disquiet of men’s hearts, and all their chafing at providences-the consciousness that there is discord between themselves and God. The Gospel brings peace in the deepest sense of that word, and, primarily, peace with God, from out of which all other kinds of tranquillity and heart-repose do come-and they come from nothing besides.
But what strikes me most here is not so much the allusion to the blessed truth that was believed and experienced by these Ephesian Christians, that the Gospel brought peace, and was the only thing that did, as the singular emergence of that idea that the Gospel was a peace-bringing power, in the midst of this picture of fighting. Yes, it brings both. It brings us peace first, and then it says to us, ‘Now, having got peace in your heart, because peace with God, go out and fight to keep it.’ For, if we are warring with the devil we are at peace with God; and if we are at peace with the devil we are warring with God. So the two states of peace and war go together. There is no real peace which has not conflict in it, and the Gospel is ‘the Gospel of peace,’ precisely because it enlists us in Christ’s army and sends us out to fight Christ’s battles.
So, then, dear brother, the only way to realise and preserve ‘the peace of God which passes understanding’ is to fling ourselves manfully into the fight to which all Christ’s soldiers are pledged and bound. The two conditions, though they seem to be opposite, will unite; for this is the paradox of the Christian life, that in all regions it makes compatible apparently incompatible and contradictory emotions. ‘As sorrowful’-and Paul might have said ‘therefore’ instead of ‘yet’-’as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as having nothing yet’-therefore-’possessing all things’; as in the thick of the fight, and yet kept in perfect peace, because the soul is stayed on God. The peace that comes from friendship with Him, the peace that fills a heart tranquil because satisfied, the peace that soothes a conscience emptied of all poison and robbed of all its sting, the peace that abides because, on all the horizon in front of us nothing can be seen that we need to be afraid of-that peace is the peace which the Gospel brings, and it is realised in warfare and is consistent with it. All the armies of the world may camp round the fortress, and the hurtling noise of battle may be loud in the plains, but up upon the impregnable cliff crowned by its battlements there is a central citadel, with a chapel in the heart of it; and to the worshippers there none of the noise ever penetrates. The Gospel which laps us in peace and puts it in our hearts makes us soldiers.
II. Further, this Gospel of peace will prepare us for the march.
A wise general looks after his soldiers’ boots. If they give out, nothing else is of much use. The roads are very rough and very long, and there need to be strong soles and well-sewed uppers, and they will be none the worse for a bit of iron on the heels and the toes, in order that they may not wear out in the midst of the campaign. ‘Thy shoes shall be iron and brass,’ and these metals are harder than any of the rock that you will have to clamber over. Which being translated into plain fact is just this-a tranquil heart in amity with God is ready for all the road, is likely to make progress, and is fit for anything that it may be called to do.
A calm heart makes a light foot; and he who is living at peace with God, and with all disturbance within hushed to rest, will, for one thing, be able to see what his duty is. He will see his way as far as is needful for the moment. That is more than a good many of us can do when our eyes get confused, because our hearts are beating so loudly and fast, and our own wishes come in to hide from us God’s will. But if we are weaned from ourselves, as we shall be if we are living in possession of the peace of God which passes understanding, the atmosphere will be transparent, as it is on some of the calm last days of autumn, and we shall see far ahead and know where we ought to go.
The quiet heart will be able to fling its whole strength into its work. And that is what troubled hearts never can do, for half their energy is taken up in steadying or quieting themselves, or is dissipated in going after a hundred other things. But when we are wholly engaged in quiet fellowship with Jesus Christ we have the whole of our energies at our command, and can fling ourselves wholly into our work for Him. The steam-engine is said to be a very imperfect machine which wastes more power than it utilises. That is true of a great many Christian people; they have the power, but they are so far away from that deep sense of tranquillity with God, of which my text speaks, that they waste much of the power that they have. And if we are to have for our motto ‘Always Ready.’ as an old Scottish family has, the only way to secure that is by having ‘our feet shod with the preparedness’ that comes from the Gospel that brings us peace. Brethren, duty that is done reluctantly, with hesitation, is not done. We must fling ourselves into the work gladly and be always ‘ready for all Thy perfect will.’
There was an English commander, who died some years ago, who was sent for to the Horse Guards one day and asked, ‘How long will it take for you to be ready to go to Scinde?’ ‘Half an hour,’ said he; and in three-quarters he was in the train, on his road to reconquer a kingdom. That is how we ought to be; but we never shall be, unless we live habitually in tranquil communion with God, and in the full faith that we are at peace with Him through the blood of His Son. A quiet heart makes us ready for duty.
III. Again, the Gospel of peace prepares us for combat.
In ancient warfare battles were lost or won very largely according to the weight of the masses of men that were hurled against each other; and the heavier men, with the firmer footing, were likely to be the victors. Our modern scientific way of fighting is different from that. But in the old time the one thing needful was that a man should stand firm and resist the shock of the enemies as they rushed upon him. Unless our footing is good we shall be tumbled over by the onset of some unexpected antagonist. And for good footing there are two things necessary. One is a good, solid piece of ground to stand on, that is not slippery nor muddy, and the other is a good, strong pair of soldier’s boots, that will take hold on the ground and help the wearer to steady himself. Christ has set our feet on the rock, and so the first requisite is secured. If we, for our part, will keep near to that Gospel which brings peace into our hearts, the peace that it brings will make us able to stand and bear unmoved any force that may be hurled against us. If we are to be ‘steadfast, unmovable,’ we can only be so when our feet are shod with the preparedness of the Gospel of peace.
The most of your temptations, most of the things that would pluck you away from Jesus Christ, and upset you in your standing will come down upon you unexpectedly. Nothing happens in this world except the unexpected; and it is the sudden assaults that we were not looking for that work most disastrously against us. A man may be aware of some special weakness in his character, and have given himself carefully and patiently to try to fortify himself against it, and, lo! all at once a temptation springs up from the opposite side; the enemy was lying in hiding there, and whilst his face was turned to fight with one foe, a foe that he knew nothing about came storming behind him. There is only one way to stand, and that is not merely by cultivating careful watchfulness against our own weaknesses, but by keeping fast hold of Jesus Christ manifested to us in His Gospel. Then the peace that comes from that communion will itself guard us.
You remember what Paul says in one of his other letters, where he has the same beautiful blending together of the two ideas of peace and warfare: ‘The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall garrison your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ It will be, as it were, an armed force within your heart which will repel all antagonism, and will enable you to abide in that Christ, through whom and in whom alone all peace comes. So, because we are thus liable to be overwhelmed by a sudden rush of unexpected temptation, and surprised into a sin before we know where we are, let us keep fast hold by that Gospel which brings peace, which will give us steadfastness, however suddenly the masked battery may begin to play upon us, and the foe may steal out of his ambush and make a rush against our unprotectedness. That is the only way, as I think, by which we can walk scatheless through the world.
Now, dear brethren, remember that this text is part of a commandment. We are to put on the shoes. How is that to be done? By a very simple way: a way which, I am afraid, a great many Christian people do not practise with anything like the constancy that they ought. For it is the Gospel that brings the peace, and if its peace brings the preparedness, then the way to get the preparedness is by soaking our minds and hearts in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You hear a good deal nowadays about deepening the spiritual life, and people hold conventions for the purpose. All right; I have not a word to say against that. But, conventions or no conventions, there is only one thing that deepens the spiritual life, and that is keeping near the Christ from whom all the fulness of the spiritual life flows. If we will hold fast by our Gospel, and let its peace lie upon our minds, as the negative of a photograph lies upon the paper that it is to be printed upon, until the image of Jesus Christ Himself is reproduced in us, then we may laugh at temptation. For there will be no temptation when the heart is full of Him, and there will be no sense of surrendering anything that we wish to keep when the superior sweetness of His grace fills our souls. It is empty vessels into which poison can be poured. If the vessel is full there will be no room for it. Get your hearts and minds filled with the wine of the kingdom, and the devil’s venom of temptation will have no space to get in. It is well to resist temptation; it is better to be lifted above it, so that it ceases to tempt. And the one way to secure that is to live near Jesus Christ, and let the Gospel of His grace take up more of our thoughts and more of our affections than it has done in the past. Then we shall realise the fulfilment of the promise: ‘He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.’
Fuente: Expositions Of Holy Scripture by Alexander MacLaren
shod = having shod. Occurs: Mar 6:9, Act 12:8.
preparation. Greek. hetoimasia; only here. The verb occurs first in Mat 3:3.
gospel. App-140. peaces the peace.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eph 6:15. , the feet) The feet are often mentioned in connection with the gospel and with peace, Rom 10:15; Rom 3:15, etc.; Luk 1:79.- ) often corresponds to the Hebrew word , for example Ezr 2:68; Ezr 3:3; Psa 10:17; Psa 89:15. The feet of the Christian soldier are strengthened [steadied] by the Gospel, lest he should be moved from his place or yield.[104] [1Pe 5:9.-V. g.]
[104] Wahl translates , dum habetis animum promptum, quem gignit , having the feet shod, or sandalled, in your having the prompt and ready mind which the Gospel of peace produces.-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Eph 6:15
Eph 6:15
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;-Since the Christian warrior is to stand, he must have no unprotected and uncertain foothold. Preparedness is the thought here. As his fighting was so much of a hand-to-hand conflict, a firm footing was exceedingly important. His sandals were accordingly not only bound firmly to his feet and ankles, but were thickly studded with hobnails, to give a sure footing to those who would stand firm. The Christian soldiers preparedness in this regard, he is to find in the gospel of peace, [it is that principle of steadfastness which has its origin in a sense of oneness with God, and so of divine aid in any emergency. The paradox here, of peace as part of the panoply of the holy war, is as significant as it is beautiful. The Christian soldiers foothold needs to be settled, sure, and restful, just in proportion to the stress around him. The peace of justification (Rom 5:1), and its accompaniment, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, guarding the heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus (Php 4:7), are just then most necessary to the Christians spirit and most real to his consciousness, when put to the test in the evil day. Jesus Christ, in himself, is ground of vantage; a clear view and personal hold of him is the secret of a true foothold upon him. Paul himself, when facing death, stood in this strength when he wrote the following: “For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2Ti 1:12).]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
your: Deu 33:25, Son 7:1, Hab 3:19, Luk 15:22
the gospel: Isa 52:7, Rom 10:15, 2Co 5:18-21
Reciprocal: Exo 12:11 – loins Mar 6:9 – be shod Eph 5:16 – the days
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
(Eph 6:15.) -And having shod your feet with the preparedness of the gospel of peace. Isa 3:7. The usage of such an accusative following the verb may be seen in Buttmann ( 135, 3), though oftener the sandal itself is put in the accusative. The last genitive is that of contents (Bernhardy, p. 16), and the one before it that of source, that is, the preparedness is from the gospel, and that gospel has peace for its substance. The reference is not to greaves, which were a kind of military leggings, but to the–caligae or sandals, which were worn by the ancient warriors, and the soles of which were thickly studded with hobnails. Bynaeus, de Calcibus, Dordraci, 1715. The military sandal of this spiritual host is the preparation of the gospel of peace; Wyckliffe-in makynge redi. The preposition is instrumental or quasi-local, and is represented as forming the sandals. So that there is error on the part of Erasmus, who renders – parati ad evangelium. The noun has in the Septuagint an active meaning, as- -Wis 13:12; also an intransitive meaning-readiness or preparedness- -Josephus, Antiq. 10.1, 2; and still in a more spiritual sense, Psa 10:17 – . The term is sometimes employed in the Septuagint as the representative of the Hebrew , as in Psa 89:15, where it is said to mean foundation, and therefore Beza, Wolf, Bengel, Koppe, and Flatt take the word in such a sense here-the firm basis of the gospel of peace. Ezr 2:68; Dan 11:7. The figure is not appropriate; it might apply, indeed, to the road on whi ch they were to march, but not to their boots. The feet were to be shod with preparedness. The feet in fighting are so protected or cased. The feet, too, are the instruments, and therefore the appropriate symbols of motion. The Christian warrior must move as the battle shifts; his career is indeed but a battle and a march, and march and a battle. And whence is this promptitude to be derived? From the gospel of peace-or peace the substance of the gospel, the same gospel which was called Eph 1:13 -the gospel . For the possession of peace with God creates blessed serenity of heart, and confers upon the mind peculiar and continuous preparedness of action and movement. There is nothing to disconcert or perplex it, or divide and retard its energies. Consequently it is an error on the part of many expositors, from Chrysostom down to Conybeare, to represent the meaning thus-preparation to preach or publish the gospel of peace, for it is of defensive armour alone the apostle is now speaking.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Eph 6:15. Feet shod. The Israelites were told to have their shoes on their feet as they ate the passover. That was in order to be ready to travel on a moment’s notice (Exo 12:11). The Christian is to be prepared to travel as a spreader of the Gospel (Isa 52:7) by means of the story of peace–peace in the great warfare for all the forces in the enemy’s ranks if they will surrender to Christ.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eph 6:15. And having shod your foot. The Roman soldier wore sandals, in the soles of which nails were thickly studded, to give firm footing. Doubtless Paul had this in mind.
With the preparedness, not, preparation, but promptitude of soul, readiness to act, giving firmness and constancy to the conduct. This preparedness is more than a natural readiness or courage, it comes from the gospel of peace, the gospel whose contents are peace with God. This gives alacrity and courage to fight boldly for the sake of eternal peace. Peaceableness toward men is not excluded; but there is no reference to readiness to preach the gospel. That is the aggressive, not the defensive part, of our duty; and, strictly speaking, the three parts of the soldiers equipment already mentioned are not his armor, still less his weapons, but only the preparation for these.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Eph 6:15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace Let peace with God, and, consequent thereon, peace of conscience and tranquillity of mind, in all circumstances and situations, (for which ample provision is made in the gospel,) arm you with confidence and resolution to proceed forward in all the ways of duty, however rough and difficult, through which you are called to pass, and enable you to receive with resignation and patience all the dispensations of that wise and gracious Providence, which is always watching over you for good, and is engaged to support you under your trials, to sanctify them to you, and in due time to deliver you out of them. In this way, and in no other, will you be enabled to pass through all difficulties unhurt, surmount all oppositions which obstruct your progress, to endure to the end, and finish your course with joy.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Feet shod or prepared for standing. If your feet aren’t right with the world then you aren’t right with the world. I used to do a lot of walking at the store where I worked. I purchased one set of tennis shoes that just were not built correctly. Over the course of several months I bought pads, and supports and little items to assist these shoes in correctly preparing my feet for the beating that they were taking.
There were times when I would stop in the stock room and pick up some soft plastic and role it up and put it under one of the pads to give added lift to cure a certain ache or pain. My feet were not properly prepared and I was really out of sorts until things became peaceful in the lower foot area. By the time I found cures for all the ills the shoes were worn out and I started over.
Now, I’m not suggesting we are to improvise till we get it right; God has given us the proper item to put on.
“The preparation of the gospel of peace” is the gospel or good news of peace. I assume that this speaks to the Gospel of Christ rather than some other gospel relating to peace – His Gospel does give peace.
Again, how does the gospel relate to the feet or preparing them for battle? Again, the feet are there for support, they are there as the foundation of the soldier. Without them it is difficult to stand properly. The Gospel is the only foundation that really gives the soldier the proper support to stand against the Devil.
I might add that all verbs since the last time I mentioned verbs are still all aorist – one time items, not a daily item, not a convenience item, but a one time commitment to stand on God’s side of the battle.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
6:15 And your feet shod with the {k} preparation of the gospel of peace;
(k) The preparation of the Gospel may be as it were shoes to you: and it is very fitly called the Gospel of peace, because, seeing we have to go to God through most dangerous ranks of enemies, this may encourage us to go on bravely, in that you know by the doctrine of the Gospel, that we are travelling to God who is at peace with us.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Roman infantrymen wore tough sandals studded with sharp, thick nails on the bottoms to increase traction. [Note: Josephus, The Wars . . ., 6:1:8.] The gospel that has brought peace to the Christian enables him or her to stand firmly against temptation. Likewise the gospel is what enables us to move forward against our enemies (cf. Isa 52:7). The preparation of the gospel of peace probably refers to the gospel the Christian soldier has believed that enables him to stand his ground when attacked. We must be so familiar with the gospel that we can share it with others (cf. 1Pe 3:15). That grip on the gospel will enable us to hold our ground and even advance when tempted. The gospel in view is the whole Christian message viewed as good news, not just how to become a Christian.
". . . protection comes from reflecting the unity that the gospel provides within the community (’shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel,’ Eph 6:16 [sic, Eph 6:15], looks back to Eph 2:11-22; it is not a reference to evangelism)." [Note: Bock, "A Theology . . .," p. 318.]