2 Corinthians 6:7; By the Armour of Righteousness

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

The word “armour” means “tool or weapon”, in the plural, armour. The soldier in battle order will have a sword and a shield, both for offense and for defense. This speaks of weapons that promote righteousness. And righteousness speaks of “uprightness of conscience and holiness of life.” 

Hendricksen observed well, “Engaged in spiritual warfare, the soldier in Christ’s army is armed with spiritual weapons to do battle against the forces of the evil one. Paul does not specify the kinds of weapons that are used, but there is no doubt that the sword or the spear is for the right hand and the shield for the left hand. A soldier is fully equipped to fight both offensively and defensively… Paul is upright in character and does not want to give anyone an opportunity to take offense (2 Cor. 6:3). But he is also on the defense against the attackers of the cause of Christ (11:13–14) and is on the offense by destroying their strongholds and capturing every thought for Christ (10:4–5). An upright soldier of Christ is flanked on the left and the right with weapons to defend and attack.”¹

God’s Word provides the instruction need to wage righteous warfare – 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

May the Lord grant us good preparedness in the careful study of His Word to be equipped with the wherewithal of a righteous life that makes a matured Christian. Amen.

¹Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Vol. 19, pp. 218–219). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.