Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Summary: Paul’s words require that we take a close look at the gear that Roman soldiers wore every day.
When Paul compares a Christian believer to a Roman soldier, there is more to his comparison than a few articles of clothing. Roman soldiers in Paul’s day were professionals in every sense of the word. Taken from all stations of life, they were committed to their profession. Their lives depend on paying attention to details. I suspect that Paul envisioned that Christian believers would develop the same devotion to their cause that Roman soldiers had for their calling.
Even though Paul’s life had been devoted to religious teachings when he was young, by the time he wrote his letter to the Ephesians, he had spent significant time with Roman soldiers. Soldiers had at times saved his life (Acts 21:32), carried him (Acts 21:35), and escorted him from place to place (Acts 23:31, 27:31). While he was in prison, Roman guards were his constant companions (Acts 28:16).
What did he learn from these military men he spent so much time with? Paul was impressed with their armor.
Paul compares a soldier’s need for weapons and protection with a Christian’s need for spiritual gear. Because our battle is not against “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12), we who believe in Jesus need a different kind of armor.
So, what is the “belt of truth” all about?
One thing we know for certain, is the belt was not intended to hold pants up! Roman soldiers didn’t wear pants. A soldier’s clothing consisted of a simple tunic. To understand what this was like, imagine wearing an oversized tee shirt that reaches down to your knees and nothing else. — Brrr!
The Roman belt did three things. First, the belt held the front armor (breastplate) in place. Second, the belt supported a small apron of leather and metal that offered protection for the genitals. Third, the belt is where the sword was kept when not in use.
To translate this into biblical terms, let’s look at these three characteristics again:
First, truth is an essential part of righteousness. Without truth, we cannot hold our righteousness in place.
Second, truth supports our defense against claims of impropriety.
Third, truth is what we hang our weapons on.
When the day of evil comes, we will need every ounce of righteousness we can muster. Righteousness is compromised by impropriety of any kind (Job 31:1). Finally, when we get to the passage about the “sword of the Spirit,” knowing truth is essential to keep the sword at hand.
Application: Buckle up!
Food for Thought: How deep does truth have to go? Is it enough to be “truthful” with other people, or do we have to be truthful with ourselves inside, too?
How deep does truth have to go? Is it enough to be “truthful” with other people, or do we have to be truthful with ourselves inside, too?
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24
We cannot be truthful with others unless we are first live in truth ourselves.
Thanks Ron!
I think there is some truth in that. 🙂
First of all, excellent devotion brother. I have also studied what the belt was for in Roman equipment, and your concise but complete description was very well done. Thank you for that. I found that very helpful.
The truth can go deep. For example, the truth of God’s word is summed up well in Hebrews 4: 12: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. And we know that according to 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Rich
I appreciate your feedback. It is encouraging to hear that the blog is helpful!
I like your point about God’s Spirit judging the “thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” That brings the focus where it needs to be.
I really appreciate the devotion today and both Ron’s and Rich’s comments. The only thing I could really add is this perspective:
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 Corinthians 13:6 it [love] does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
I have heard the phrase “the truth hurts” but I don’t agree with that. The pain of realizing sin hurts. When we measure our lives against the love that God and Christ have for us, the real truth is revealed internally. That truth is not condemning when we accept grace and turn from sin. We gain a perspective that enables us to speak in love and truth outwardly. To speak truth means seeking God’s love inwardly, and then letting His light shine outwardly.
Chris
What a powerful point about truth and hurts!
Thank you!!