B. The Breastplate
words within the [....] are the Greek or Hebrew transliteration of the English word they follow
words within the {....} are the phonetic pronunciation of the Hebrew or Greek transliteration they follow
- ..and having on the breastplate of righteousness
a. Breastplate-[Thorax]- {tho-rax}- chest, by implication a corslet ( a two pieced breastplate covering the body). In the ancient world, breastplates were made of layers of cloth, sometimes with metal greaves (armor used to protect the shin) attached. The Greeks introduced a bronze breastplate, with bronze plates covering vital areas or the torso, held together with leather or cloth connections. The [Thorax] is a Greek designed Breastplate as the Roman versions had different names such as the [lorica hamata] or [lorica squamata], the Romans later modified the Greek design and called their version the [thorax stadias] meaning " the breastplate that stands alone" This breastplate was attached to the belt by leather thongs passed through rings on the bottom to keep it solidly attached. It was anchored to the belt, and it was above the belt ( isn't it interesting that Paul mentions first the belt before mentioning the breastplate). Note: the belt had to be put on first, then the breastplate. Whether or not Paul was making reference to the Greek design or the Roman is immaterial except for the fact that they were both two piece units held together at the side with metal clips or pieces of leather or material.
- The breastplate was designed to do two things, one was protection the other was a show of allegiance.
a. It showed allegiance to the King with an insignia or design on the front. You could drop your shield which most often had the same insignia or design that the breastplate had, but if you did, the breastplate would still show your allegiance to the king until you could recover your shield. Some Christians lose their confidence (shield of faith) in the heat of the battle, but righteousness (our breastplate) will keep them going until they can regain their faith.
b. Breastplate of righteousness, like the Roman and Greek breastplates where made up of two parts. A front and a rear. One covering the chest and stomach and the rear covering the back. These two parts speak of two things; our condition of righteousness and our performance of righteousness
- Firstly our condition of righteousness (9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil 3:9 (KJV)). Webster's definition- "condition"- anything necessary for the performance of....
Condition: First off no one but those in the spiritual realm (angels, demons, etc...) can see God's covering of righteousness over you. This we could see as the rear part of the breastplate. That which is not naturally seen as one goes into battle. Righteousness is that one thing that the Father gives us that identifies us with Christ in the spiritual realm.
- Secondly our performance of righteousness. (7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:7 (KJV)).
Performance: Our living righteously is what identifies us with God here on the earth. It is what people see of God in us (16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:16 (KJV)). In Christ, God gave to us His righteousness (Rom. 1-4), (9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil 3:9 (KJV)). This of course could be viewed as the front of the breastplate since it is seen readily as one goes into battle. Hence the reason for the insignia of our loyalty to our King! People will see who I am loyal to by the revealing of the insignia of the righteousness of God in my life.
(4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)). Partakers of the divine nature, God IMPARTS to us in Christ HIS NATURE and righteousness when we place our faith in Jesus.
This righteousness is His divine nature in us. That is the nature in de-vine. He is de-vine and we are de-branch (1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:1-5 (KJV)).
So we see that the two parts of this breastplate could be seen as an identifier to those who see us in the natural (as we live forward in our daily lives) and to those we cannot see (those behind us in the spiritual realm)
We also see the two parts in the way that we are protected. (12. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Isaiah 52:12 (KJV)). We see here the Lord is our front guard and our rear guard! Re member this is His armor and it works for us because He empowers it!
- Let's also consider that- The breastplate is what protects the vital organs, vital organs work involuntarily, you don't have to tell them to work they just do. Well in a spiritual sense when we have on the two parts of the breastplate (the righteousness of God and our righteousness through Him), this insures the continued involuntary acts of the blessings of our covenant with God (which are His promises) to work! 11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11 (KJV)). and also (33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33 (KJV)). and also (22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22 (KJV)).
- The two parts could also be seen as the two parts of materials which spiritually make up the breastplate, those materials are: Faith and Love
a. Faith:
- Faith- faith is the conduit or the pipeline if you will that brings this righteousness of God into our lives (8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:8 (KJV)), and also (30. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. Romans 9:30 (KJV)) and also Look at Phil. 3:9 again, (9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith Phil 3:9 (KJV)). This act of God in imparting to us His righteousness is motivated by our faith, but our acts of righteousness is motivated by our love for God.
b. Love:
- Love- (2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Eph 5:2 (KJV)) and also (15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 (KJV)). If you and I lived motivated by our love for God the way in which He expects us to live then we will be:
a. Identified with Him
b. Protected by Him
c. Able to fully enjoy all of His involuntary blessings
- So the "Breastplate of Righteousness" speaks of the condition of our heart and lifestyle.