Ephesians 6:15

‘And having shod your feet with the preparation (or readiness or equipment) of the Gospel of peace.'

In Ephesians peace refers to peace with God (Ephesians 2:13 compare Colossians 1:20), ‘peace from God' (Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 6:23), and the resulting peace between Christians (Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 4:3), all included in the message of peace which He has proclaimed to us (Ephesians 2:17). Peace with God means that our hearts are right with Him and that there is no shadow between. It is ours because we have been reckoned as righteous by faith (Romans 5:1) and this enables us to stand, confident of victory, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2).

Indeed it is the God of peace, the God Who brings peace, the God Who gives peace to His own, Who will bruise Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20) through the Gospel of peace. Both of these aspects are particularly apposite here. Peace with God is our assurance and protection. Peace from God, flooding our very beings (Philippians 4:7), will further protect us from all that the Enemy can throw at us and result in confidence and assurance.

Having the feet shod in good shoewear was a vital part of a soldier's equipment. It affected all his movements, including his sense of comfort, his ability to travel long distances at speed, and his agility on the battlefield. It put him at peace with himself. Nothing is better for our peace of mind than to know that we have peace with God and peace from God, two aspects of the same privilege. Then there is nothing between us and God and His peace fills our souls. Then are we ready to stand in the battle and are equipped for what we must face. Then can we march forward in comfort and strength. And being at peace with one another we will fight as one whole.

In view of the context and Romans 16:20, this footwear may well have in mind the bruising of the Serpent's head in Genesis 3:15. It is the fact that we are confident that we have peace with God, and because of the cross through which we found that peace, that we are enabled to tread down the Enemy without fear.

‘The preparation'. (Hetoimasia). This word is used of a ship's tackle and can mean equipment, and could thus be translated ‘boots'. If, however, we see it as preparedness then we may see it as meaning that the Christian soldier must at all time be ready with the Good News of peace with God to combat the enemy and deliver the enslaved.

The importance to Paul of peace from God cannot be over-exaggerated. The idea is always contained in his greetings, and regularly in his final salutations and in his prayers for God's people. To him God is the God of peace (Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16), and peace is His children's birthright. And the Good News is the good news of peace, from the One Who has made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).