Ephesians 6:15

“and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”

“Shod your feet”: “The strong military sandals not only protected the feet of the warrior but enabled him to stand in slippery places and to move with quick and certain step” (Erdman p. 137). “It was studded with sharp nails to ensure. firm grip. His footwear was also designed for mobility, and Roman armies were renowned for their ability to march great distances in. short time” (Boles p. 339). “Quite unlike the unprepared enemy, they were not caught bare-footed or unaware. The Romans could, therefore, move quickly and effectively to any strategic position” (Caldwell p. 314). “Preparation”: Or readiness. “Here the preparedness which makes us fully ready to plunge into the fight. readiness inspired by the gospel” (Lenski p. 667). “In readiness to publish the gospel” (Knox). “With the readiness to serve the Good News as shoes for your feet” (TCNT). “But in Hellenistic Greek it was sometimes used in the sense of establishment or firm foundation firm-footing” (Vincent p. 409). “Without the sandal or boots he is relaxing; with them he is ready for combat” (Boles p. 339). Thus the Christian who does not have. "firm-footing" in the gospel message is totally unprepared (Hebrews 5:12). The gospel message makes one "prepared" and "ready" to encounter the foe (2 Timothy 2:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). “Not just any preparation defends against Satan” (Caldwell p. 314). “The sign of the Christian is that he is eager to be on the way to share the gospel with others who have not heard it” (Barclay p. 182). Success against evil comes when the Christian is well acquainted with the gospel message (Hebrews 5:12; Colossians 1:23). Ready to defend and proclaim it (1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 1:16; Colossians 4:5). “To give gracious though ‘salty' answers to the questions which ‘outsiders' put to us. Such tip-toe readiness has. very stabilizing influence on our own lives” (Stott p. 280). Such "readiness" is also necessary because the "opportunity" to share the gospel with someone or help another Christian out of sin, can pass by so quickly (Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 5:16).

“Gospel of peace”: “Our peace with God makes us avid for the battle with Satan! Who, save we of peace, dares to fight him? Occasionally, when these ‘world tyrants' perpetrate exceptional outrages (gangster rule, crimes that cry to high heaven),. protest is voiced by worldly men; but these tyrants are not thereby scattered, the protests soon subside” (Lenski p. 668). “ While so many are engaged in militant struggles to spread division and discord, we are to fight in the interest of peace” (Spiritual Sword Lectureship p. 242). Here is tremendous incentive "in the evil day". We bring. message of reconciliation to lost and dying souls. To the bitter, resentful, angry, and miserable (Titus 3:3) we bring peace with themselves and others. To those who are enslaved to their own lusts, we bring. message of liberation, and peace with God.