I. Introduction and review The Ephesians Study Week #45 The Christian Soldier s Footwear Ephesians 6:15a November 10, 2013 A. If I requested that someone purchase some athletic shoes for me, what would that person need to know? 1. Type of sport Why? 2. A shoe for every use, it maximizes their use B. A long time ago a man recognized the need for properly shod feet 1. His name was Alexander 2. He had designed a lean mobile army that he would use to conquer the world 3. His order of battle was impressive, his well trained soldiers would participate in complex maneuvers 4. Their rapid movement would hide the true numbers and make up of his forces 5. He knew that the foundation for the well trained soldier was his feet 6. He was able, as a result, to conquer the world with an army that rarely number over 40,000 men, an army built around mobility and speed Page 1 of 9
C. As the Romans came to power they copied many of the attributes of Grecian culture, 1. They adopted as their own the concept of composing your army of highly trained warriors who were well equipped 2. An important part of that equipment was their foot gear 3. Their footgear was referred to as boots or sandals a. They were made of leather cut into parts b. The upper part of the boot was elaborately cut out from one piece of leather c. The sole were made from multiple layers of leather d. Then the soles were finished by conical shaped hobnails e. These hobnails were for traction f. There arraignment was ergonomical and anticipated modern shoes with cleats g. These hobnails also aided the transference of weight between different parts of the foot h. The boots were laced up the front and tied around the leg 4. When needed, socks were worn by the legionnaires under the boots a. They were usually made of wool b. And were open at the toe and the heel 5. Modern reconstructions suggest that one pair of these boots would last through about 300 miles of marching a. Some papyrus records indicate that most legionnaires in active Page 2 of 9
duty go through about two pair of these boots a year D. A Roman army moved on its feet and the footgear issued to its soldiers made the difference in many campaigns 1. When a warriors feet are weak or unusable, it doesn t matter how good the rest of the soldier is 2. Many times defenders would sharpen sticks and embed them in the ground in the path of the on coming legionnaires in an attempt to injure their feet and stop the march 3. There were a number of other methods of preventing the soldiers feet from working properly and his foot gear was very important in protecting him 4. The platoon Sargent in Vietnam II. We are in a war whether we like it or not A. That war is with Satan 1. It is a fight to the death, whether we know about it or not B. God has prepare a suit of armor for us to use to stand against Satan 1. We have the obligation to put that armor on (the verbs are in the middle voice indicating the subject performs the action upon himself) 2. The first piece is the belt of truth a. The outer layer of this belt is foundational truth b. That is the truth of Jesus Christ and His holy Scriptures c. The inner layer is truth in practice, that is honest, integrity, and sincerely 3. The second item in the armory is the breastplate of righteousness Page 3 of 9
a. Its outer layer is our positional righteousness we received upon justification by our Lord b. Its inner layer is a representation of our practical righteousness made possible by Jesus gift to us c. This inner layer is obtained by loving our Lord and getting close to Him. C. The third part of our armor is our footgear III. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace [Eph 6:15] A. Shod is the word u`pode,w hupodeo {hoop-od-eh'-o} Meaning: 1) to under bind 2) to bind under one's self, to bind on 1. It is a word made up of ὑπό meaning under, on or around and 2. δέω meaning to bind, knit, tie, or wind 3. It speaks of tying on of these boots the Roman legionnaire would wear B. Preparation is the word e`toimasi,a hetoimasia {het-oy-mas-ee'-ah} Meaning: 1) the act of preparing 2) the condition of a person or thing so far forth as prepared, preparedness, readiness C. In classical Greek it was used to convey the idea of establishment or creating a firm foundation D. Gospel is euvagge,lion euaggelion {yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on} Meaning: 1) a reward for good tidings 2) good tidings [many times translated the gospel ] 1. It first meant a reward for bringing good news, but later came to mean the good news itself Page 4 of 9
E. Peace is eivrh,nh eirene {i-ray'-nay} 1. This is not the Hebrew concept of peace but the Greek idea of Peace 2. Meaning: 1) a state of national tranquillity 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, 3. The words base meaning is that which has been bound together IV. The meaning of having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace A. Many people interpret this passage by referring to Isa 52:7 and Rom 10:15 to get insight into its meaning 1. These passages speak of the feet of the proclaimer of good news, that is the gospel 2. Therefore they conclude that Paul is referring to having your feet shod with the gospel of peace to be speaking of evangelism 3. Consider what Romans says [Rom 10:13-15] a. This passage speaks of going out to preach or proclaim the gospel (vs 13-15) b. Eph 6:10-19 talks not about preaching or proclaiming the gospel, instead it speaks of standing and resisting the Devil c. It speaks not of evangelism but of fighting Satan and defeating him (verses 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) 4. This passage speaks of the good news that we are at peace with God B. The passage that we should consider in comparison or by way of explanation to this passage is Romans Chapter 5 Page 5 of 9
1. In 5:6-10 it describes those who are without Christ as: a. Helpless, b. Ungodly, c. Sinners, d. The objects of God s wrath, and e. Enemies of God f. The saved person, in contrast, is reconciled to God through His Son (1) reconciled = to restore friendly relations with 2. Does it matter whether they know they are God s enemy, they are His enemy whether they know it or not a. But Jesus is all about love and not war, some would say b. Jesus said: If you are not for me you are against me [Matthew 12:30] 3. Back in Rom 5:1 we are told that when we are justified (saved), we then have peace with God a. No longer are we at war with God b. We then are on His side in the battle (1) a the Greek word for peace indicates, we are bound together, that is with God (2) we now become His children, something that will never change c. We can depend on Him and His provision for us, forever Page 6 of 9
V. Now an essential element of peace needs to be evaluated A. What is the opposite of peace 1. On a physical or even metaphysical level: confusion, chaos and turmoil a. NKJ 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. b. NAU 1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. c. Notice the contrast in this verse 2. But on an emotional level the opposite of peace is anxiety a. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. B. What is the key component of peace: confidence 1. Peace is based upon confidence a. Confidence there will be no antagonism b. Confidence you can protect yourself c. Confidence in someone else that they will protect you d. Confident of the outcome of the situation 2. Consider these passages: a. Job 40:23 "If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth. Page 7 of 9
b. Psalm 27:3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. c. Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. VI. This peace with God is our foundation for power and courage A. Like a baseball batter we get our power from out foundation 1. Explain Gary Ward s theory of hitting 2. Our foundation is being grounded in the peace of God and being reconciled to Him B. Consider these examples: 1. Peter in the garden with Jesus [Jn 18:1b, 6-7, 10] a. Peter thought they were invincible b. Jesus had just knocked them all down with one word 2. Gideon and his three hundred men [Judg 7:2] 3. Elijah and the prophets of Baal 4. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin 5. For these Christians it was No Fear C. If we bind onto our feet the good news of peace with God and stand on that we will live a life of no fear and of tremendous power for the battle. VII. How do we get to experience the benefits of this peace? A. That is turn our positional condition into our experiential position B. Prayer Philippians 4:6-7 Page 8 of 9
C. Staying NKJ Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 1. Perfect peace = peace peace 2. Trusts = xj;b' batach {baw-takh'} Meaning: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 3. Stayed = %m;s' camak {saw-mak'} Meaning: 1) to lean, lay, rest, support, put, uphold, lean upon 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lean or lay upon, rest upon, lean against 1a2) to support, uphold, sustain 1b) (Niphal) to support or brace oneself 1c) (Piel) to sustain, refresh, revive a. One can never avoid strife, confusion or turmoil in the world around him, but we can experientially know perfect peace in their midst b. To have your mind stayed on Him means to be thinking about Him and what He promises to do all of the time meditating on His word brings peace E:\Ephesians\Ephesians 6.15.wpd Page 9 of 9