In Ephesians 6:15 what does Paul mean by the “preparation of the gospel of peace”?

Question

NET Bible Eph 6:15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,

What is Paul comparing to footwear? Preparation? What kind of preparation comes from the gospel? And why does he call it "the gospel of peace"?

Paul's weaponry appears to be intended to fight against cosmic evil forces. In what way does one "prepare" the "peace gospel" for such a conflict?

BDAG points to several authors who suggest that "preparation" should instead read "equipment" (ie: military boots):

ἑτοιμασία, ας, ἡ (s. next entry; Hippocr.; BGU 625, 17; PHerm 95, 20; LXX) readiness, preparation (so Hippocr., Decent. 12 vol. IX 240 L.; Ps 9:38; EpArist 182; Jos., Ant. 10, 9 v.l.) τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης for the gospel of peace Eph 6:15. The mng. equipment (here specif. ‘boots’), as in Mod. Gk., is favored by ABuscarlet, ET 9, 1897/98, 38f; EBlakeney, ET 55, ’43/44, 138; JGregg, ET 56, ’44, 54; L-S-J-M. W. ἄσκησις MPol 18:3.—M-M. TW.

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 401). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

If so, how is the "gospel of peace" like boots?

Below is an image of an actual Roman marching boot from 2000 years ago!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligae

Answer 1

Ephesians 6:11-15 is about putting on the "whole armor of God." Among the military metaphors there used is the final one about what to wear on your feet. Whether footwear is considered either a "preparation" or "equipment," it is used in walking, and walking is a metaphor for one's course of life.

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV):

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4:1 (KJV):

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Ephesians 4:17 (KJV)

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.

Ephesians 5:15 (KJV)

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.

Such walking fits in with the military terminology because an army at that time had to travel long distances on foot. The gospel is like footwear in that it prepares one to travel along life's journey in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

The gospel is styled "the gospel of peace" because it announces the way in which people may come into a peaceful relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV):

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be y reconciled to God.

Romans 5:1 (KJV):

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps also Paul used the expression "gospel of peace" to indicate that he was not writing about literal implements of war.