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Bible Dictionaries
Soldier
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
or Christians are often likened to soldiers who have to clothe themselves with armour to fight against the evil forces of Satan (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; see ARMOUR; WEAPONS). They have to endure hardship and opposition, concentrating on the task God has given them, without losing heart (1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3-4).
Israel’s Old Testament history is full of stories of the heroic deeds of its soldiers. Not all these heroes were godly, though some were great servants of God whose faith on occasions saved Israel (Hebrews 11:32). (For methods of warfare see WAR.)
The soldiers mentioned in the New Testament are usually Romans. The Roman centurions, who feature in a number of New Testament stories, appear to have been men of quality. Some of them became Christians (Matthew 8:5-13; Matthew 27:54; Acts 10:1-2; Acts 23:17-18; Acts 27:43).
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Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Soldier'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/bbd/s/soldier.html. 2004.
