Topical Encyclopedia
The term "panoply" refers to a complete set of armor or a full array of protective gear. In the context of the Bible, it is most closely associated with the "armor of God" as described in the New Testament. The concept of spiritual armor is a metaphor for the spiritual resources and defenses that God provides to believers to withstand the challenges and temptations of life.
Biblical Reference:The primary biblical reference to the concept of a panoply is found in
Ephesians 6:10-18. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "put on the full armor of God" so that they may stand firm against the schemes of the devil. The passage reads:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints." (
Ephesians 6:10-18)
Components of the Armor:1.
Belt of Truth: The belt, or girdle, of truth represents the believer's integrity and commitment to God's truth. It is foundational, holding the rest of the armor in place and enabling the believer to stand firm.
2.
Breastplate of Righteousness: This piece of armor protects the heart and vital organs, symbolizing the righteousness that comes from living a life aligned with God's standards. It is both imputed through faith in Christ and lived out through obedience.
3.
Gospel of Peace: The footwear of readiness signifies the believer's preparedness to proclaim the gospel of peace. It emphasizes the importance of being grounded in the peace that comes from the good news of Jesus Christ.
4.
Shield of Faith: The shield is a defensive weapon used to protect against the enemy's attacks. Faith in God and His promises acts as a shield, extinguishing the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and temptation.
5.
Helmet of Salvation: The helmet protects the mind, symbolizing the assurance of salvation. It guards the believer's thoughts and provides confidence in the hope of eternal life.
6.
Sword of the Spirit: The only offensive weapon in the armor, the sword represents the Word of God. It is powerful and effective in spiritual warfare, enabling the believer to counter lies and deception with truth.
Spiritual Warfare:The imagery of the panoply underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. Believers are called to be vigilant and prepared, recognizing that their battle is not against physical adversaries but against spiritual forces. The full armor of God equips them to stand firm in their faith and to resist the enemy's attacks.
Prayer and Perseverance:Paul concludes the passage by emphasizing the importance of prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray in the Spirit at all times, maintaining a posture of alertness and perseverance. Prayer is integral to the believer's spiritual defense, fostering a deep reliance on God's strength and guidance.
In summary, the biblical concept of panoply serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual resources available to believers. It highlights the necessity of being fully equipped with God's armor to navigate the challenges of the Christian life and to stand firm in the face of spiritual opposition.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Defensive armor in general; a full suit of defensive armor.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PANOPLYpan'-o-pli: 1 Maccabees 13:29 the Revised Version margin.
SeeARMOR.
Greek
3833. panoplia -- full armor... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: panoplia Phonetic Spelling:
(pan-op-lee'-ah) Short Definition: complete armor Definition: complete armor,
panoply.
...Library
ThePanoply of God
... EPHESIANS THEPANOPLY OF GOD.... Our present text constitutes the general introduction
to the great picture which follows, of 'thepanoply of God.'....
The Duties of the Christian Flock.
... deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet;
your love as your spear; your patience as a completepanoply....
Laban. SM
... SM. ThePanoply of God. (761)... 3 Stand, then, in his great might, With all his strength
endued; And take, to arm you for the fight, Thepanoply of God:"....
Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... They that are spiritual see him when he assails, and hispanoply has no power upon
their bodies.... they are clothed inpanoply and stand up against him....
Prayer and vigilance
... to battle. At all times, he is to have the fullpanoply of prayer. The
Christian soldier, if he fight to win, must pray much. By...
Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John
... PAUL'S REASONS FOR TEMPERANCE. SLEEPERS AT NOONDAY. REDEEMING THE TIME. THEPANOPLY
OF GOD. 'THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH'. 'THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS'....
Foreword
... We buried Claude L. Chilton February 18, 1929. What a meeting of these two great
saints of God, of shiningpanoply and knightly grace! HOMER W. HODGE....
The Potency of Prayer Hath Subdued the Strength of Fire...
... Prayer is an all-efficientpanoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never
exhausted, a sky unobscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm....
"Above the Sun. "
... Michael, Israel's Prince, is glorious, clad inpanoply of war; *"Who is as the God
of Israel" is his challenge near and far; But a higher still than Michael...
Tertullian, Having Shown his Defence to be Consistent with...
... Put on thepanoply of modesty; surround yourself with the stockade of bashfulness;
rear a rampart for your sex, which must neither allow your own eyes egress...
Thesaurus
Panoply (3 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PANOPLY. pan'-o-pli: 1 Maccabees 13:29 the Revised
Version margin. See ARMOR. Multi-Version Concordance
Panoply (3 Occurrences).
...Armor (53 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament, Paul describes thepanoply of the Christian soldier, naming
the essential pieces of the Roman soldier's armor-the girdle, the breastplate...
Arms (166 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament, Paul describes thepanoply of the Christian soldier, naming
the essential pieces of the Roman soldier's armor-the girdle, the breastplate...
Pans (19 Occurrences)
Pannag (1 Occurrence)
Artifices (2 Occurrences)
... Artifices (2 Occurrences). Ephesians 6:11 Put on thepanoply of God, that ye
may be able to stand against the artifices of the devil: (DBY)....
Armour (32 Occurrences)
... Greaves, for the covering of the legs, were worn in the time of David (1 Samuel
17:6). Reference is made by Paul (Ephesians 6:14-17) to thepanoply of a Roman...
Accomplished (64 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:13 For this reason take to you thepanoply of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and, having accomplished all things, to stand....
Resources
Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgPanoply: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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