Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
14. Stand therefore. Now follows a description of the arms which they were enjoined to wear. We must not, however, inquire very minutely into the meaning of each word; for an allusion to military customs is all that was intended. Nothing can be more idle than the extraordinary pains which some have taken to discover the reason why righteousness is made a breastplate, instead of a girdle.
Our life is warfare; our religion is still more so. We struggle against the powers of darkness and enemies bent on keeping us from God and heaven. A soldier needs both courage and arms. Our natural strength is perfect weakness; all sufficiency comes from God. We must fetch in grace and help from heaven by faith to do what we cannot do ourselves.
AI summary
Commenting on Ephesians 6:10-18
Stand therefore,.... Keep your ground, do not desert the army, the church of Christ, nor his cause; continue in the station in which you are placed, keep your post, be upon your watch, stand upon your guard: having your loins girt about with truth; by which is meant the Gospel, and the several doctrines of it; see Eph 1:13; and to have the loins girt...