In Paul's analogy, what replaces the sword and shield?
In Paul’s analogy of the Roman soldier, righteousness replaces both the sword and shield. The soldier normally carried a weapon in his right hand and a shield in his left, but Paul pictures the believer holding righteousness in both hands. This righteousness is God’s righteousness imputed to every believer.
Les explains that Paul has a way of using contemporary things, such as the Roman soldier, to make a point. A Roman soldier in battle carried his weapon in his right hand and his shield in his left, and those were the two items that carried the man into battle. In Paul’s analogy, however, instead of a sword and a shield, both hands hold righteousness—righteousness. Les connects this to Romans chapter 3, verse 22, where the righteousness of God is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, black and white, rich and poor; the righteousness of God has been imputed and covers every believer.