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The Peace Series | Desiring Bible Truth
Armor of God · Piece 3 of 7

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

The Peace Series: Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

Paul lists the shoes third, right after the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, and the order is not incidental. Before a soldier moves, he needs sure footing. We will follow the Bible's own trail through what broke peace, who made peace, and how that peace becomes something a believer stands on and walks in, from Genesis-era blessing language all the way to Paul's own picture of feet shod for battle.

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15, KJV

The shoes secure the footing for the whole armor. Before peace is ever pursued with other people, Scripture is clear that peace with God was accomplished first, by His own initiative, through Christ.

Eight Lessons

Work through them in order. Each one opens with the verse itself, before any commentary.

  • 01 Numbers 6:26 What Is Peace?
    “The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Biblical peace is more than an absence of conflict. It is the wholeness and well-being that comes from God's favor resting on a person.

    Word Note

    Hebrew shalom ("peace"), completeness, soundness, wholeness; used of health, relationships, and prosperity, not just the absence of war.

    See Also

    • Judges 6:24
    • Isaiah 26:3

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Numbers 6:26, what does the LORD lift up before giving peace?

    AHis countenance BHis hand CHis voice DHis scepter

    2. In Judges 6:24, what did Gideon call the altar he built to the LORD?

    AJehovahshalom BJehovahjireh CJehovahrapha DJehovahnissi

    3. Isaiah 26:3 says God will keep in perfect peace the mind that does what?

    AIs stayed on him BFasts twice in the week COffers sacrifice daily DKeeps the sabbath perfectly
    Study

    4. How does understanding shalom as wholeness, not just the absence of conflict, change how you would define peace in your own life?

    Apply

    5. Where in your life right now do you feel a lack of wholeness, relationally, mentally, or physically, that you would want God's peace to touch?

  • 02 Isaiah 59:2 Peace Broken by Sin
    “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Before peace can be restored, Scripture is clear about what broke it in the first place. Sin creates real separation between people and God.

    Word Note

    Hebrew badal ("separated"), to divide, to make a distinction between two things previously joined.

    See Also

    • Isaiah 48:22
    • Romans 3:17

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Isaiah 59:2, what has separated people from God?

    ATheir iniquities BTheir sacrifices CTheir doubts DTheir weaknesses

    2. Isaiah 48:22 says there is no peace for whom?

    AThe wicked BThe righteous CThe Gentiles DThe poor

    3. Romans 3:17 (quoting Isaiah) says the way of peace they have not what?

    AKnown BSought CFinished DProclaimed
    Study

    4. Why is it important to acknowledge sin's role in broken peace, including that Isaiah 59:2 says it can even keep God from hearing, before looking for how peace is restored?

    Apply

    5. Is there a place where you have been looking for peace without first being honest before God about what has separated you from Him?

  • 03 Ephesians 2:14 Christ Is Our Peace
    “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us...” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Peace, like truth, is ultimately a Person. Christ does not just bring peace, He is described as being it.

    Word Note

    Greek eirene ("peace"), corresponds to Hebrew shalom; here Paul uses it to describe Christ Himself removing a literal dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

    See Also

    • Colossians 1:20
    • Romans 5:1

    Check Your Understanding

    1. In Ephesians 2:14, what does Paul say Christ is?

    AOur peace BOur king COur example DOur judge

    2. What does Ephesians 2:14 say Christ broke down?

    AThe middle wall of partition BThe veil of the temple CThe gates of the city DThe bars of iron

    3. Romans 5:1 says being justified by faith results in what, with God?

    APeace BWealth CAuthority DVisions
    Study

    4. What difference does it make to think of peace as found in a Person rather than in circumstances?

    Apply

    5. Is there a dividing wall in a relationship of yours that mirrors what this verse describes, and what would it mean to bring Christ into that gap?

  • 04 2 Corinthians 5:18 Reconciled to God
    “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Peace with God was not negotiated by both sides meeting in the middle. It was accomplished entirely by God's own initiative, through Christ, while we were still at odds with Him.

    Word Note

    Greek katallasso ("reconciled"), to exchange, to change from enmity to favor; the verb's subject throughout this passage is God, not man, He is the one who acts.

    See Also

    • Romans 5:10
    • Colossians 1:21–22

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, who reconciled us to Himself?

    AGod BMoses CThe angels DWe ourselves

    2. Through whom did 2 Corinthians 5:18 say this reconciliation happened?

    AJesus Christ BThe prophets CThe law DThe Holy Spirit alone

    3. Romans 5:10 says we were reconciled to God while we were what?

    AEnemies BFriends CServants DStrangers
    Study

    4. Does thinking of peace as something God accomplished, rather than something you achieve by improving yourself, change how you approach Him when you feel distant from Him?

    Apply

    5. What is one situation this week where you could rest in a peace already made rather than try to earn it?

  • 05 Romans 10:15 The Gospel of Peace
    “...As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    The "gospel of peace" in Ephesians 6:15 is not a separate gospel. It is the good news itself, described by the peace it brings between God and sinners.

    Word Note

    Greek euangelion ("gospel"), good news, a message announced; paired here directly with eirene (peace) as what the message delivers.

    See Also

    • Ephesians 6:15
    • Acts 10:36

    Check Your Understanding

    1. Romans 10:15 quotes Isaiah, calling whose feet "beautiful"?

    AThem that preach the gospel of peace BThem that keep the law CThem that offer sacrifice DThem that build the temple

    2. What does Romans 10:15 say those feet bring?

    AGlad tidings of good things BHeavy burdens CStrict commandments DWarnings of judgment

    3. Acts 10:36 says God sent what word to the children of Israel?

    APreaching peace by Jesus Christ BPreaching law by Moses CPreaching judgment by the prophets DPreaching wisdom by Solomon
    Study

    4. Why might the gospel be specifically called a message of peace, rather than just "the gospel"?

    Apply

    5. Who in your life needs to hear this message of peace from you, and what has kept you from bringing it?

  • 06 Ephesians 6:15 Peace as Readiness (The Shoes)
    “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace...” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Unlike the belt or the breastplate, this piece of armor is about footing, being ready to stand firm and to move out, on ground secured by the gospel.

    Word Note

    Greek hetoimasia ("preparation"), readiness, firm footing; a term also used of a firm foundation or base to stand on.

    See Also

    • Isaiah 52:7

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Ephesians 6:15, the feet are shod with the preparation of what?

    AThe gospel of peace BThe law of Moses CThe wisdom of Solomon DThe zeal of Elijah

    2. Isaiah 52:7 calls the feet of the messenger what, upon the mountains?

    ABeautiful BSwift CHeavy DSilent

    3. Isaiah 52:7 says the messenger says unto Zion what?

    AThy God reigneth BThy sins are forgiven CThy walls are broken down DThy king has come
    Study

    4. Why might firm footing matter specifically in a battle, more than other pieces of armor?

    Apply

    5. What would it mean, practically, to have your own footing secured by the gospel before facing a hard situation this week?

  • 07 Romans 12:18 Pursuing Peace with Others
    “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    Peace with God is meant to overflow into peace with people, though Scripture is realistic that this is not always fully possible.

    Word Note

    Greek eireneuo ("live peaceably"), to be at peace, to keep peace; the qualifiers "if possible" and "as much as lieth in you" acknowledge limits outside our control.

    See Also

    • Hebrews 12:14
    • Matthew 5:9

    Check Your Understanding

    1. Romans 12:18 says to live peaceably with all men, "as much as" what?

    ALieth in you BYour neighbor allows CYour strength permits DTime allows

    2. Hebrews 12:14 says to follow peace with all men, and what else?

    AHoliness BWisdom CRiches DHumility

    3. Matthew 5:9 pronounces a blessing on whom?

    AThe peacemakers BThe peacekeepers CThe merciful DThe pure in heart
    Study

    4. Why does Romans 12:18 qualify the command with "if it be possible" rather than making it absolute?

    Apply

    5. Is there a relationship right now where pursuing peace would require something costly from you specifically?

  • 08 Isaiah 26:3 Standing Firm in Peace
    “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (KJV)

    Peace Principle

    The peace that keeps a believer steady is not circumstantial. It is the direct result of a mind fixed on God, trusting Him even amid instability.

    Word Note

    Hebrew shalom shalom ("perfect peace"), the word is doubled in the Hebrew text for emphasis, "peace, peace," intensifying completeness.

    See Also

    • Philippians 4:6–7
    • John 14:27

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Isaiah 26:3, what is kept in "perfect peace"?

    AHis mind BHis household CHis flock DHis nation

    2. What condition does Isaiah 26:3 attach to receiving this peace?

    AA mind stayed on God BKeeping the sabbath COffering sacrifice DFasting often

    3. Philippians 4:6–7 says the peace of God will do what to your hearts and minds?

    AKeep them BJudge them CTest them DTrouble them
    Study

    4. Why is it significant that the Hebrew literally repeats the word "peace" for emphasis, in "perfect peace"?

    Apply

    5. What is currently unsettling your mind that you could deliberately "stay" on God this week instead?

Closing Charge

Stand on the Peace Already Made

You have seen what Scripture itself says about peace. It was broken by sin, not by circumstance, and it was restored entirely by God's own initiative through Christ, who is Himself described as our peace. That peace is announced in a gospel worth carrying to others, and it becomes footing, something to stand on before it is ever something to pursue with people. It steadies a mind fixed on God, whatever is unstable around it.

None of this was given to you to admire from a distance. Ephesians 6:12 is plain that the fight is 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. The shoes of the gospel of peace are laced for that ground, not for a quiet walk. Ephesians 6:10 says to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, not in your own resolve. And Ephesians 6:13 does not call you to strive toward peace as an achievement. It calls you, having done all, to stand, with your footing already secured. Stand on the peace that has already been made for you, and hold that ground on the evil day.

The next piece of armor, the shield of faith, waits at Ephesians 6:16.