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The Helmet of Salvation.

The phrase “The helmet of Salvation” is found in that great description of the Christian warrior of
God found in Ephesians 6 10-17, in particular, verse 17 which reads:

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”.
The phrase “helmet of salvation” also occurs in Isaiah 59: 17, but there the warrior referred to is a
divine warrior who is to be an instrument of deliverance. Other than note the connection with
deliverance, (which can be thought of as another word for salvation), we need not consider it
further. Paul however, in Ephesians is talking about the Christian warrior, who acts on behalf of
God in the world. The same thought occurs in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 where Paul encourages us to
put on “the hope of salvation as a helmet”. So in thinking about a Christian warrior’s helmet, note
that it is closely associated with the notion of salvation and deliverance.
It’s also worth noting in verse 17,that we are to “take” the helmet of salvation. Strong’s
concordance tells us that the Greek word rendered here as “take” could be translated as “receive”
or “accept”. This is in contrast to the rest of the armour of God - the belt of truth, the breastplate,
the shoes, and the shield, all of which we are to put on in Ephesians 6: 11. This is interesting
because putting on is more of an an active process than taking or accepting what is on offer.
I am reminded of that great verse earlier in Ephesians – Chapter 2 verse 8.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God (NIV).
Which tells us that all we have to do is to receive or take by faith the salvation which we are
offered. There is nothing we can do to gain it. Surely Paul is reinforcing that point by making the
helmet of salvation as something simply to be “received” rather than “put on”.
In considering further the link between the helmet and salvation let us pause a moment and think
about the type of warfare current at the time. It is not surprising that a helmet is needed. In close
combat, clubs, ball and chain, and a sword were all used to give blows to the head. And, of
course, the head is that part of the body which is the most vital and therefore needs to be most
carefully defended. One stroke here may prove fatal. And, even if the blow is not immediately fatal,
a short temporary loss of consciousness, or of sight, or hearing could put the warrior out of action,
and make him vulnerable to a follow up killing blow.

Continues…

© 2015 Colin Smith BA MSc MInstP

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