The whole armour of God
The armor of God is described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Its six pieces are the belt of truth (loins girt about with truth), the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Paul then adds prayer.
Paul writes "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). The KJV spells it armour, the British way.
He explains that the fight is not against people: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers" (Ephesians 6:12). Paul was writing as "an ambassador in bonds" (Ephesians 6:20), a prisoner for the gospel.
The six pieces of the armor of God
Having your loins girt about with truth
The belt of truth. A soldier's belt gathered up his tunic and held the rest of his gear in place, so truth comes first.
The breastplate of righteousness
The breastplate guarded the heart and chest. Isaiah 59:17 pictures the LORD himself putting on "righteousness as a breastplate".
Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Shoes for standing firm and moving out. Readiness that comes from the good news of peace with God.
The shield of faith
Paul says "Above all" take this one, because with it "ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked".
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16The helmet of salvation
The helmet protected the head. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul calls the helmet "the hope of salvation".
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
The only piece used to strike as well as defend. Paul names exactly what it is: the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 calls that word "sharper than any twoedged sword".
Prayer: the part after the armor
The sentence does not stop at the sword. Verse 18 goes on: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit". Paul asks them to pray "for all saints" and for him, that he may open his mouth boldly (Ephesians 6:18-19).
Prayer is not named as a seventh piece of equipment, but many readers see it as what the whole armour is worn for.
Stand
The word stand runs through the passage: "that ye may be able to stand" (verse 11), "having done all, to stand" (verse 13), and "Stand therefore" (verse 14). The armour is described mostly for holding ground, not for attacking.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 · KJV
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Common questions
Where is the armor of God in the Bible?
In Ephesians 6:10-18, near the end of Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
What are the 6 pieces of the armor of God?
The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Why is it spelled armour in the Bible?
The King James Version uses the British spelling, armour. Armor and armour mean the same thing.
Is prayer part of the armor of God?
Paul names six pieces, then continues in the same sentence with "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18). Many readers treat prayer as how the armour is used rather than a seventh piece.
What does putting on the armor of God mean?
Paul uses a soldier's gear to picture truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation and Scripture as what keeps a believer standing. He says the purpose is "that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil".
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