Lexical Summary thórax: Breastplate Original Word: θώραξ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance breast-plate. Of uncertain affinity; the chest ("thorax"), i.e. (by implication) a corslet -- breast-plate. HELPS Word-studies 2382 thṓraks (the root of the English term, "thorax") – properly, a breastplate ("coat of mail") which protected the chest and extended down to the hips; (figuratively) what protects the heart (our capacity of moral preference). 2382 /thṓraks ("breastplate of faith-righteousness") protects the heart and its emotions (desires) as they bear on our decisions (resolutions, sympathies, etc.). See 4102 /pistis ("the Lord's inbirthed persuasion"). Eph 6:14 refers to "the breastplate of righteousness" (ton thōraka tēs dikaiosynēs) and 1 Thes 5:8 to "the breastplate (2382 /thṓraks) of faith." This indicates righteousness results from obeying the faith God births in the heart (this is confirmed in texts like Js 2:14-26). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a breastplate NASB Translation breastplate (2), breastplates (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2382: θώραξθώραξ, θώρακος, ὁ; 1. the breast, the part of the body from the neck to the navel, where the ribs end (Aristotle, hist. an. 1, 7 (cf. 8, p. 491a, 28); Euripides, Plato, others): Revelation 9:9 (some refer this to the next entry). 2. a breast-plate or corselet consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides from the neck to the middle (Homer, Herodotus, Xenophon, Plato, others): Revelation 9:9, 17; ἐνδύεσθαι τόν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης, i. e. δικαιοσύνην ὡς θώρακα, Ephesians 6:14; θώρακα πίστεως, i. e. πίστιν ὡς θώρακα, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, (ἐνδύεσθαι δικαιοσύνην ὡς θώρακα, Isaiah 59:17; ἐνδθωρακα δικαιοσύνην, Wis. 5:19 (Wis. 5:18)). STRONGS NT 2382a: ΙΙ, Iota: on the iota subscript in manuscripts and editions of the N. T. see Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 3ff; Scrivener, Introduction, etc., p. 42, and Index II, under the word; Kuenen and Cobet, N. T. Vat., praef., p. xi f; Tdf. Proleg., p. 109; WH. Introductory § 410; Winers Grammar, § 5, 4; Buttmann, pp. 11, 44f, 69; and see under the words, ἀθοως, ζοων, Ἡρῴδης etc., πρῷρα, Τρῳάς, ὀων. Ἰ´ is often substituted for εἰ, especially in nouns ending in (; on their accent, see Chandler § 95ff), in proper names, etc.; cf. WHs Appendix, p. 153; Introductory § 399; Tdf. Proleg., pp. 83, 86f; Scrivener, Introduction, etc., p. 10f; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word ἘΙ; Meisterhans, p. 23f; (on the usage of the manuscripts cf. Tdf. Conlatio critica the Sinaiticus manuscript; c. text. Elz. etc., p. xviii.; Scrivener, Full Collation of the Sinaiticus manuscript, etc. 2nd edition, p. lii.). Examples of this spelling in recent editions are the following: ἁγνια WH, ἀλαζονια T WH, ἀναιδια T WH, ἀπειθια WH (except Hebrews 4:6, 11), ἀρεσκια T WH, δουλια T, ἐθελοθρησκία T WH, εἰδωλολατρία WH, ἐιλικρινια T WH, ἐπιεικία WH, ἐριθια WH, ἑρμηνια WH, θρησκια T, ἱερατια WH, κακοηθια WH, κακοπαθία WH, κολακια T WH, κυβία T WH, μαγία T WH, μεθοδια T WH, ὀφθαλμοδουλία T WH, παιδία T (everywhere; see his note on Hebrews 12:5), πραγματια T WH, πραϋπαθία T WH, φαρμακια T WH (except Galatians 5:20), ὠφελία WH, Ἀτταλια T WH, Καισαρια T WH, Λαοδικια T WH, Σαμαρια T WH (Σαμαρίτης, Σαμαρῖτις, T), Σελευκια T WH, φιλαδελφία T WH; occasionally the same substitution occurs in other words: e. g. αἰγιος WH, Ἀριος (πάγος) T, δανίζω T WH, δανιον WH, δανιστής T WH, εἰδώλιον T WH, ἐξαλιφθῆναι WH, Ἐπικουριος T WH, ἡμίσιά WH (see ἥμισυς), καταλελιμμενος WH, λίμμα WH, Νεφθαλίμ WH in Revelation 7:6, ὀρινος WH, πίθος WH, σκοτινος WH, ὑπόλιμμα WH, φωτινος WH, χρεοφιλετης (T?) WH; also in augment, as ἱστήκειν WH, ἴδον (see εἰδῶ I. at the beginning); cf. WH's Appendix, p. 162b. On iota as a demonstrative addition to adverbs, etc., see νυνί at the beginning On the use and the omission of the mark of diaeresis with ἰ in certain words, see Tdf. Proleg., p. 108; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 136ff) In the Greco-Roman world a breastplate covered the torso from neck to waist, shielding the heart and lungs. Common forms included bronze cuirasses, iron scale mail, and the lorica segmentata of Roman legionaries. Because survival depended on this armor, the breastplate became a ready metaphor for spiritual protection. Old Testament foreshadowing The Septuagint often employs the same term for the High Priest’s jeweled breastpiece (Exodus 28). Worn “over his heart” when he entered the sanctuary, it prefigured Christ our great High Priest who bears His people before the Father. Thus by New-Testament times “breastplate” evoked both combat defense and priestly representation. Paul’s teaching Ephesians 6:14 — “Stand firm then… with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” Right standing with God, received by faith and expressed in holy living, guards the affections and conscience against satanic accusation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 — “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love.” Faith rests in God’s promises, love reaches out to neighbor; together they encircle the believer’s heart, enabling sober vigilance as the Day of the Lord approaches. Across both letters the verb “put on” stresses deliberate, daily appropriation. The imagery assumes an active, ongoing conflict in which complacency is lethal. Revelation’s apocalyptic imagery Revelation 9:9 pictures locust-like demons with “breastplates like iron,” highlighting their invulnerability to human weapons. Revelation 9:17 describes cavalry with “breastplates fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow,” colors that echo the fire, smoke, and sulfur they unleash. The hard, vivid armor underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the futility of resisting it in human strength. Doctrinal themes 1. Preservation of the inner life: Whether righteousness, faith, or love, the breastplate signifies God-given resources that safeguard the heart. Ministry applications • Discipleship: Spiritual formation begins with grounding converts in their justification in Christ and discipling them in righteous conduct. Christological fulfillment Jesus personifies the breastplate: His sinless life satisfies righteousness; His unwavering trust demonstrates perfect faith; His self-sacrifice exemplifies supreme love. By union with Him believers receive armor that has already withstood Satan, sin, and death. Summary The New Testament’s five uses of the term present a unified message: God equips His people with an unassailable defense for the heart, even as He marshals indomitable forces against unrepentant evil. Appropriated by faith, manifested in love, and grounded in Christ’s righteousness, the breastplate secures believers for present conflict and final victory. Englishman's Concordance Ephesians 6:14 N-AMSGRK: ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης NAS: and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, KJV: having on the breastplate of righteousness; INT: having put on the breastplate of righteousness 1 Thessalonians 5:8 N-AMS Revelation 9:9 N-AMP Revelation 9:9 N-AMP Revelation 9:17 N-AMP Strong's Greek 2382 |
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