But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
The helmet, the hope of of salvation, is the same as the helmet of salvation which is part of the whole armour of God in Ephesians 6.
Many folk talk about putting on the whole armour of God every morning, going through each piece one by one and picturing putting it on.
But here’s the thing, the armour in Ephesians 6 is the detailed version of the armour of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6.
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (2 Corinthians 6:7)
Which is the same as the armour of light in Romans 13, which Paul equates with the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the light of the world (John 9:5)
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:12-14)
Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ is the same as putting on the armour of God because the armour of God IS the Lord Jesus Christ.
- loins girt about with truth — Jesus is the truth (John 14:6)
- breastplate of righteousness — Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1) and Jesus (Melchisedec) King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
- feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace — Jesus (Melchisedec) is the King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2)
- sheild of faith — Jesus is the faithful witness (Revelation 1:5, Revelation 3:14) and the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)
- helmet of salvation — Jesus is the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9)
- sword of the spirit, which is the word of God — Jesus is that spirit (2 Corinthains 3:17) and the word of God (John 1:1, 1:14)
- praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit — Jesus is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), our advocate (1 John 2:1)
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:11-18)
And Ephesians 6 connects to this passage about the Lord in Isaiah 59:
And truth has been taken away, and they have turned aside [their] mind from understanding. And the Lord saw it, and it pleased him not that there was no judgment. [16] And he looked, and there was no man, and he observed, and there was none to help: so he defended them with his arm, and stablished [them] with [his] mercy. And he put on righteousness as a breast-plate, and placed the helmet of salvation on his head; and he clothed himself with the garment of vengeance, and with his cloak, as one about to render a recompence, [even] reproach to his adversaries. (Isaiah 59:15-18)
When we follow Jesus and put on the armour of God, of light, of righteousness, we are putting on the Lord Jesus Christ who, himself, puts on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation.
