2 Corinthians 6:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

NIV: in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

NASB: in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

CSB: by the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

NLT: We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

KJV: By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

NKJV: by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Paul continues to list evidences that he and his associates in ministry had operated with integrity. He is commending their ministry to the Corinthians to defend himself from attacks and accusations of critics. He has also provided the Corinthians with a way to defend him to such critics.

Paul adds here that he and his co-workers have always spoken truthfully. They have never lied in order to accomplish more in their ministry. In fact, they have spoken the truth even when it has been hurtful or when they risked turning people against them. Those who heard Paul's words in 1 Corinthians would know this well.

They have also operated in the power of God. Many in Corinth would likely remember how God displayed His power among them through Paul. He wants to remind his readers that he does more than just suffer for Christ's sake. He also displays God's awesome power in his ministry.

This team of evangelists have even exercised weapons of God's righteousness "for the right hand and for the left." Scholars debate exactly what Paul means by this. In Ephesians 6:11–17, he describes spiritual armor that a Christian may take up against spiritual enemies. This includes the shield of faith, typically held in the left hand, and the sword of the Spirit, typically held in the right hand. Paul does not merely endure spiritual attacks; he fights back with God's power.

Second Corinthians 6:1–13 contains Paul commendation of himself and his co-workers to the Corinthians. He offers evidence that they have not been false apostles. They have faithfully represented Christ through every kind of suffering and God's power has been obvious in and through them. He declares that they have been faultless and urges the Corinthians not to miss the day of God's salvation through faith in Christ. He states warmly that his heart remains wide open to the church in Corinth and asks them to open their hearts to him again.

This passage appeals to the Corinthians not to miss the day of salvation. Paul insists that he and those who work with him have done nothing to keep anyone from believing in Christ. He points to the evidence that he has been a true apostle and representative of Christ and asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. He commands them not to harness themselves to unbelievers since Christ can have nothing to do with Satan or darkness. God lives in them through the Holy Spirit, so they must separate from everything that is opposed to God.

Second Corinthians 6 is set up by the message of God's grace for sinners as spelled it out in the previous chapter. Paul begs the Corinthians not to receive it in vain. He declares that he and his team have done nothing to keep them from believing in Christ. Parallel to this, he commands the Corinthians not to be harnessed to unbelievers. This leads into a passionate discussion of affliction and comfort in chapter 7.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.