Shoes of Readiness

“Stand therefore, (having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Eph. 6:14-15)

What do shoes have to do with standing and fighting against schemes of the devil (v.11), or spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places (v.12)?

Shoes as Armor

When we see the other parts of a soldier’s armor listed in this passage--shield, breastplate, helmet, belt, sword—they make sense. We can easily picture them as pieces of armor. But shoes? Today, if someone just said “Shoes!” the word or image that would come to mind might be, “Crocs, slides, Converse or . . . Jordans”.

In 2024 alone, Nike sold over seven billion dollars’ worth of Jordans globally. In fact, this year is the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan brand. Jordans became successful because Nike marketed them not just as shoes, but something that could actually change your persona. Anyone could “Be like Mike.” Putting on Jordans gave average players a boost of confidence and self-assurance, as if somehow the power of Michael Jordan flowed through them. In one sense, Jordans have absolutely nothing in common with what Paul is talking about. On the other hand, it is exactly what Paul is talking about.

Paul is not talking about shoes the way we normally think of them today. He is talking specifically about sandals Roman soldiers wore in battle. They were not the kind of sandals we normally think of. They were not flip flops or Birkenstocks. First, Roman sandals had thick soles that had stubby cleats. One tactic in the ancient world was to set numerous sharpened wooden stakes as a trap around your perimeter. They would be buried with the points sticking up at ground level or barely poking above the sand. Barefoot enemies, or even soldiers with thin sandals who stepped on the stakes became much less dangerous, if not incapacitated. Roman sandals also laced high up the calf in order to keep them tight, without slipping. The soles, cleats, and lacing enabled a soldier to fight with balance, stability, and agility. He could withstand a frontal onslaught but also be mobile and able to counter any subtle maneuvers of an enemy. Clearly then, sandals (or shoes) were a vital piece of equipment: if a soldier slipped and fell or could not respond quickly in mortal, face-to-face combat, he could be killed easily.

Spiritual Preparedness

Obviously, Paul is using shoes as a metaphor. He is equating the concrete qualities of these shoes to spiritual readiness, sometimes translated as “preparedness.” When Christians put on the “shoes of readiness,” our lives are characterized by spiritual firmness, confidence, and assurance. We are immovable and will not give in or run away, whether the spiritual attack comes in the form of a devastating, life changing event or a subtle lie. Part of readiness for an attack also involves being watchful or alert. The devil can be like a ceaselessly roaring lion that uses brute force. The adversary can also appear as an angel of light using half-truths and subtle enticements to evil. Whether they are subtle or violent, the attacks are always unexpected and unannounced. The devil seeks any opportunity to attack a Christian’s faith in God, in salvation, and also seeks to rob a Christian of joy, peace, and relationships with others—all in order to make Christians ineffective, poor witnesses for Christ.

Gospel Transformation

Thankfully, we need not rely on our own power and strength to remain ready and watchful. Spiritual readiness is produced by the Gospel of peace. Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Christ is our peace. Also, He is the “Prince of Peace,” (Is. 9:6). Scripture tells us that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1), and that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Christ then is our peace—in Him we have our strength, He is our shield, our King, our Captain. We are able to stand strong and resolute against attacks in whatever form they come. Jordans will not fundamentally change who you are; however, putting on Christ—the Gospel of Peace—fundamentally transforms us into His likeness, so that in Him and Him through, we are able to withstand the temptations of the devil.