Armour

Armour in Scripture denotes both offensive and defensive military equipment used across the biblical periods. Offensive weapons included swords, spears, javelins, bows, arrows, slings, and battle-axes; defensive equipment comprised shields, helmets, coats of mail, and greaves. David famously refused Saul's armour before facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:39). Paul transforms the imagery into a theological metaphor: the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:13–17) equips believers for spiritual warfare, each piece—belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit—corresponding to a spiritual reality.