Bible Study: The Breastplate of Righteousness (WORD)
The second piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:14 is “the breastplate of righteousness.” Why is the breastplate important—for both ancient soldiers and us?
What purpose does a breastplate serve?
The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier’s armor—it provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as blows glance off the armor.
Why is righteousness associated with protective armor like a breastplate?
Proverbs 11:4
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Without righteousness, we leave ourselves open to almost certain death. With righteousness—just as with a breastplate—the otherwise fatal attacks of our enemy are thwarted.
What is righteousness?
To be righteous is to do what is right in God’s eyes. God’s commandments are righteousness. In contrast, lawlessness is sin, and sin is the opposite of righteousness. So, to be righteous is to obey God’s laws of love.
Gen. 15: 1-6
1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. . . 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Romans 3 (vv. 21-31)
10 As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one”
1 Corinthians 15:34
“Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
1 John 3:4
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
We need to understand that when it comes to wearing our spiritual armor, we need to be in “Right-standing” with the Lord. A person cannot expect to say anything he/she wants, go anywhere she/he wants, or conduct themselves anyway he/she wants and still expect to be under the spiritual protection of the Lord’s righteousness.
What separates us from God, causing Him to withhold His protection?
Isaiah 59:1-2
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Iniquities and sins are actions and thoughts that go against God’s laws. Since they are in conflict with God’s way of living and are harmful to ourselves and others, our perfect and just God will not associate with us if we go down the path of sin and evil. We cut ourselves off from God and His protection!
It is also interesting to note that in this same chapter, Isaiah mentions that God Himself puts on righteousness as a breastplate (Isaiah 59:15-17). This passage of scripture might well be part of what inspired Paul to use this analogy.
Whose righteousness should we be wearing?
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Righteousness may deliver from death, but whose righteousness are we talking about? The above scripture makes it clear that our individual level of righteousness is on par with “filthy rags”—and when you’re looking to protect yourself from death, filthy rags make for a lousy breastplate.
Jeremiah 23:6
In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Also consider scriptures such as Job 36:3; Psalm 5:8; 23:3; 24:5; and 71:16, which show that true righteousness comes from God. It is God’s righteousness, and not our own, which must serve as our breastplate and defense against Satan.
How do I wear the breastplate of righteousness?
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
So now we know what the breastplate of righteousness is. Paul gives us the command to “take up the whole armor of God”—the obvious question is, “How?”
An in-depth concordance study of all the scriptures concerning righteousness (there are 301 in the New King James Version!) tells us that the servants of God in the Bible who displayed righteousness did so because they followed God’s way. We need to realize that it is through a consistent and committed lifestyle of obeying/following the letter and spirit of God’s law (the Holy Bible), that we are able defend ourselves with His righteousness.
Once we have put on the breastplate of righteousness, we must be sure not to remove it. Ezekiel 33:10-15 shows that wearing righteousness is not a one-time event; rather, it requires a lifetime of action.
One day, the war we’re fighting will be over. And when it is, we are promised . . .
“ 15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever” (Isaiah 32:15-17).
By faithfully living God’s way and staying clear of Satan’s, we will find this peace, quietness and assurance—forever.