Armour of God: Shoes

In verse 15, Paul talks about the shoes shod with the gospel of peace. Even though some translation include ‘shoes’, it doesn’t appear in the text. The feet are fitted with the Gospel of Peace, which implies shoes are being worn.

Ephesians 6 v 15

and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

It is likely Paul is drawing from the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 52 v 7

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news (gospel), who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion “Your God reigns!”

Gospel of Peace

A gospel is a particular kind of military document. It was used by a conquering king to offer terms to a city. A herald would first announce the ‘good news’ to the people. If they would accept the conquerors new rule, then they would receive all the good gifts on offer. This could include protection from other invading armies, improvements like roads and a new city walls or better trade links. In return, the king would expect tribute.

If a city refused the ‘gospel’, and would not bow the knee, the conquering king would destroy them.

Similarly, Christ comes as the conquering King of Kings and sends out His heralds to proclaim the Good News. Jesus offers salvation, adoption into the divine royal family and many gracious gifts. But if we refuse to bow our knee, we will be condemned to death.

His Gospel offers peace, not between people, but between God and humanity.

Now reread Isaiah 52 v 7 as an announcement of a military gospel. It has a different feel.

Symbolism of Shoes

The soil is made up of eroded rocks, dead animals and decayed plant matter. The dirt beneath our feet is effectively made up of death.

Every day, as we walk around, our feet connect us with the ground. As we live, and we move about, we are symbolically in contact with disintegrated bodies.

Just like how shoes protect us from getting our feet dirty. Symbolically, they can also protect us from the spiritual grim and dirt which can attach to our souls.

In ancient times, it was common for feet to be washed after a journey. Even with sandals, the feet where not well protected against the dusty roads.

A famous scene in the Gospels shows Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Simon Peter asks Jesus to wash all of him. Jesus replies by saying it is enough for Him to just wash his feet.

Christians are consecrated, but where we connect with the decaying parts of this World, we become sullied and dirtied. So we must submit to Christ to continually cleanse us, washing away the grime of death and disintegration.

Wearing the Gospel

By wearing the Gospel on our feet, wherever we go, we interact with the World through this paradigm.

These ‘shoes’ not only, provide a defence against the consequences of living in this World, but Christ uses us to cleanse the space we are in.

By proclaiming His Gospel, whether by word or deed, we are inviting the Kingdom of God to enter the environment directly around us.

So with each step we take forward, the Kingdom of Darkness is being pushed back, further and further.