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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 apostle's 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 apostle's 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 father's 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 SOLDIER'S 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.)

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KJV: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

WEB: and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;