4:24; 5:9).26 “Salvation” and “the word of God” in verse 17, however, are clearly gifts from God, which at the same time enable and motivate human obedience. A decision about the belt depends on which previous uses of “truth” are determinative. Belting on the truth alludes to Isaiah 11:5, which describes the “Branch,” the Davidic deliverer, who has righteousness as a belt and truth (NIV, “faithfulness”) as a sash. If the meaning in Isaiah is determinative, focus is on doing what is right and keeping
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