And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Read Chapter 6
Clement Of Alexandria
AD 215
Manly He calls those who despise wealth, and are free in bestowing it. And on your feet.
"Happy is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knows understanding "says the Spirit by Solomon: "for it is better to buy her than treasures of gold and silver; and she is more valuable than precious stones."
The gospel is to be carried abroad. It is to be preached among the nations. Wherever, then, it is preached, it must be heard. But so that all may hear, one must use one’s feet to travel. And so do we travel with haste and urgency. .
Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel; i.e. prepared to walk in the ways of the gospel, as a soldier must be prepared and in readiness to march or to fight. (Witham)
It is asked whether he says “the gospel of peace” to distinguish it from another gospel. Or is it rather the distinguishing property of the gospel that it may be called “the gospel of peace?” If anyone therefore has peace, he is shod with the gospel of Christ. With this footwear he is prepared to walk. Being prepared, however, he does well not to imagine himself already perfect. Rather he merely is prepared to press on and by pressing on hopes to arrive at the goal. .
This war against the demonic puts an end to the previous war against God. As we are making war with the devil, we are making peace with God. Have no fear, beloved, the victory is already won. This is the good news. .
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. It is more uncertain in what sense this was said. What then is its meaning? They are noble greaves, doubtless, with which he invests us. Either then he means this, that we should be prepared for the gospel, and should make use of our feet for this, and should prepare and make ready its way before it; or if not this, at least that we ourselves should be prepared for our departure. The preparation, then, of the gospel of peace, is nothing else than a most virtuous life; according to what the Prophet says. You will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear. Psalm 10:17 Of the gospel, he says, of peace, and with reason; for inasmuch as he had made mention of warfare and fighting, he shows us that this conflict with the evil spirits we must needs have: for the gospel is the gospel of peace; this war which we have against them, puts an end to another war, that, namely, which is between us and God; if we are at ...
