By the Honest Little Apps studio · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (WEB) and the KJV (the 1611 Authorized Version), both public domain
What are the pieces of the armor of God?
Ephesians 6:14-17 names six pieces: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the Good News of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, "which is the word of God." Verse 18 then adds prayer at all times, which many teachers count as a seventh.
Paul opens the passage with the command behind it all: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11, WEB). Every piece except the sword is defensive, and the goal he names is not conquest but standing: "having done all, to stand."
The armor is less about winning a fight than about still standing when it's over.
How to use this armor of God glossary
Read the wording twice
Each entry shows the World English Bible and the KJV side by side, so you can match it to whatever Bible is on your shelf.
Follow the roots
Paul borrowed much of this armor from Isaiah. Seeing the Old Testament line makes the image sharper.
Wear one piece for a week
Every entry ends with one concrete action. One piece, seven days, then the next.
Read it, trace it, wear it: one piece at a time.
The armor of God, piece by piece
Piece 1 · Ephesians 6:14
Belt of truth
WEB
"having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist"
KJV
"having your loins girt about with truth"
Roots
Isaiah 11:5 (WEB): "Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his waist."
Plain meaning
A belt gathers loose clothing so a man can move. Truth, being honest with God, others and yourself, is what holds the rest together. It comes first for a reason.
Wear it: no small lies for seven days, including the "I'm fine" ones.
Piece 2 · Ephesians 6:14
Breastplate of righteousness
WEB
"having put on the breastplate of righteousness"
KJV
"having on the breastplate of righteousness"
Roots
Isaiah 59:17 (WEB): "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head."
Plain meaning
It covers the chest, where the heart is. Christians read it as the right standing Christ gives and the right living that follows. Guilt aims for the chest; this is what it hits.
Wear it: do one right thing this week that nobody will ever see.
Piece 3 · Ephesians 6:15
Feet ready with peace
WEB
"having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace"
KJV
"your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"
Roots
Isaiah 52:7 (WEB): "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace."
Plain meaning
Good footing and readiness to move. The man at peace with God can stand his ground without needing to win every argument, and can go first to make peace.
Wear it: be the first to reach out in one standing conflict.
Piece 4 · Ephesians 6:16
Shield of faith
WEB
"above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one"
KJV
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Roots
Faith comes from hearing God's word: "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, WEB).
Plain meaning
The darts are the thoughts that land and burn: you're a fraud, God's done with you, nobody would notice if you quit. Faith is trusting what God says over what the dart says.
Wear it: when a dart lands, say it out loud, then answer it with one promise from Scripture.
Piece 5 · Ephesians 6:17
Helmet of salvation
WEB
"And take the helmet of salvation"
KJV
"And take the helmet of salvation"
Roots
Isaiah 59:17, and 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (WEB): "for a helmet, the hope of salvation."
Plain meaning
It guards the head: how you think about who you are. When shame says you're finished, the helmet says whose you are and how the story ends.
Wear it: write one sentence about who you are in Christ and read it each morning.
Piece 6 · Ephesians 6:17
Sword of the Spirit
WEB
"and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
KJV
"and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
Roots
Hebrews 4:12 (WEB): "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Plain meaning
The only piece you swing. Paul defines it for us: the word of God. A sword left in its sheath, or a verse you can't remember, doesn't help in the moment.
Wear it: memorize one verse this week and say it whenever temptation hits.
"Plain meaning" notes are our own reading, not Scripture. Christian traditions differ on some details; the quoted verses are word for word.
Other armor of God words, explained
Wiles (v. 11)
Schemes or tricks. Both the WEB and KJV keep this old word. The picture is of an enemy who plans, not one who only charges.
Principalities and powers (v. 12)
Spiritual forces, not people. Paul is clear: "our wrestling is not against flesh and blood" (WEB). Your coworker is not the enemy.
Fiery darts (v. 16)
Burning arrows. The same phrase appears in both translations: attacks that land quickly and keep burning.
The evil day (v. 13)
The day the pressure comes. Paul assumes it will come and asks you to be dressed before it does.
Praying at all times (v. 18)
Not a piece of metal, but the way the armor is worn: "with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit" (WEB).
Belt of truth vs. sword of the Spirit: the pieces compared
Piece
Guards against
Daily form
Belt
Lies, half-truths
Honest words
Breastplate
Guilt, compromise
Right actions
Feet
Conflict, drift
Making peace first
Shield
Doubt, accusing thoughts
Trusting a promise
Helmet
Shame, hopelessness
Remembering whose you are
Sword
Temptation in the moment
A verse you know by heart
Five pieces protect; one strikes. All six are put on daily.
Who should pick something else
You want the Greek and the history. A good commentary on Ephesians will go further on Roman armor and Paul's sources than this glossary or FORGED.
You're looking for a group curriculum. FORGED is a personal app; its listing describes no group features.
You'd rather not have game elements in your devotions. FORGED has XP, badges and a Forge Chest. You can hide the Knight, Bastion and rank from Home in Settings, but rewards are still part of the design.
You're facing something heavy, like addiction or thoughts of self-harm. Please talk to a pastor or a professional. In the US you can call or text 988.
Armor of God questions
How many pieces are in the armor of God?
Six are named in Ephesians 6:14-17: belt, breastplate, footwear, shield, helmet and sword. Many teachers add prayer from verse 18 as a seventh, though Paul doesn't describe it as a piece of armor.
Why is it called the "whole" armor?
Paul tells readers to put on the whole armor twice, in verses 11 and 13. The point is that one piece alone leaves a man exposed; truth without faith, or Scripture without peace, leaves gaps.
Is the "utility belt" in the WEB a modern addition?
It's the World English Bible's wording for the belt of truth. The KJV says "having your loins girt about with truth." Both describe tightening a belt so you are ready to move.
Which piece is the only offensive weapon?
The sword of the Spirit, "which is the word of God." Every other piece protects. That's one reason memorizing Scripture is a common practice for men studying this passage.
A week wearing the belt of truth
Picture a man who takes the belt for seven days. Monday he catches himself telling a client "it's nearly done" when it isn't started. Tuesday he says "I'm fine" to his wife and then takes it back. By Thursday he notices the lies are mostly small and mostly about looking capable.
Nothing dramatic happened. But he can name the pattern now, and next week's piece, the breastplate, has somewhere to go.
You find out what the armor is for when you actually try to wear it.
Armor of God milestones in FORGED
FORGED, our free iPhone app, is a 90-day Bible plan for men that borrows its milestones from Ephesians 6. Each day takes about ten minutes: one practical challenge, one Scripture passage explained in plain English and quiet time for prayer. Keep all three and you set a stone in your Bastion and earn Armor of God milestones: the Belt of Truth at Day 7, the Shield of Faith at Day 35 and the Sword of the Spirit at Day 90. Missed days never erase what you've earned.
Earned from real progress, never soldVerses word for word from the WEB
One design decision: rewards stay silent during prayer. No sounds, no scores while you're praying. The honest catch: Day 1 is free, and Days 2 to 90 plus the armor progression are Premium (monthly, annual with a 14-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, or lifetime).
Play free on iPhone
Start FORGED's Day 1 today. No account needed, and your progress stays on your device.
A 10-minute morning routine for Christian menA 10-minute morning routine for Christian men: Word, prayer, one hard thing. Set your wake time for a timed plan and a 7-day ramp for your first week.
