The “breastplate of righteousness,” mentioned in Ephesians 6:14, is part of the “armor of God” that the Apostle Paul describes as essential for Christians in spiritual warfare. This metaphorical armor equips believers to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. In ancient times, a breastplate was a crucial piece of armor, protecting a soldier’s vital organs, especially the heart. Spiritually, the breastplate of righteousness symbolizes the protection that comes from living a life that aligns with God’s standards and depends on His righteousness.
**Righteousness as God’s Gift**
The righteousness referenced in this verse is not something believers earn on their own, but a gift from God, credited through faith in Jesus Christ. This is often called “imputed righteousness,” where believers are justified before God because of Christ’s work on their behalf. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:21: *”God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”* Similarly, Romans 3:22 says, *”This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”*
**Practical Righteousness**
While the righteousness spoken of in Scripture often refers to our position in Christ, it also has a practical aspect: the day-to-day obedience of living in a way that honors God. The breastplate of righteousness can also represent the ethical and moral decisions a believer makes, choosing to live a life of integrity. Proverbs 11:4 reinforces the value of this kind of righteousness: *”Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”* Living a righteous life guards the believer’s heart from the consequences of sin and the attacks of the enemy.
**Standing Firm in Battle**
By wearing the breastplate of righteousness, Christians protect themselves spiritually by relying on God’s righteousness, guarding their hearts against doubts, accusations, or temptations the enemy might throw at them. In Romans 13:12-14, Paul exhorts believers to *”put on the armor of light”* and to *”clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”* Walking in righteousness enables believers to remain firm against spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:13).
In sum, the breastplate of righteousness signifies both the believer’s standing in Christ—justified and made righteous by faith—and the call to live a life of moral uprightness, guarded against sin and spiritual attack. It is an essential part of the believer’s armor, equipping them to stand firm in their identity and calling in Christ.