Submitted by Pastor Brad Dush, Fairfax Methodist Church

And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. – Ephesians 6:15, ESV

As we continue looking at the Armor of God, I want to remind you that Paul likely had Roman armor in mind when writing this passage. That makes the most sense historically. Reading Ephesians 6 with another kind of armor risks missing the weight of what Paul is really saying. In this “On the Spiritual Side” we’re focusing on verse 15, the shoes.

This is one place where the ESV can feel a little clunky. The Greek suggests the idea “to bind under” or “to put on.” Some translations use the word “shod,” which isn’t one we use every day, but the point is clear: the soldier intentionally puts something on their feet. In this context, something is sandals. But more important than the footwear itself is the verb. It’s an action. The soldier knows the need and chooses to put them on.

Putting on the shoes takes deliberate action. The next keyword is “readiness.” In Greek, it means being prepared, having a firm footing. And that matters because Roman soldiers fought up close. They needed stability. A firm foundation could be the difference between standing or falling in the heat of battle.

It reminds me of a football practice when my oldest son forgot his cleats. He was a strong lineman, usually quick off the line and able to hold his own, but that day, the guys he normally dominated had a field day. They weren’t stronger, just better grounded. They had the traction. He didn’t. And that made all the difference.

Peter Connolly, in his book Greece and Rome at War, describes Roman sandals this way: “The caligae (military sandals) were heavy-soled, hobnailed boots designed to provide stability and endurance for long marches.” Those hobnails, metal studs driven into the soles, gave traction and durability. They were built for the long road and for holding ground when it mattered.

But there’s more here. Paul says we’re to have our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Greek word for peace (eirēnē) does mean the absence of war, but in Scripture, it goes deeper. It means wholeness, things brought together, made right. Peace is God’s gift of spiritual rest and restoration.

So what are we standing on? The gospel. The euaggelion, the good news of Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection is our foundation. We’re not just called to be ready to fight but to stand firm in the peace only He can bring. In Christ, we find our footing. And when we do, we’re ready for whatever comes.