2 Corinthians 6 · Verse 7

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,
2 Corinthians 6:7, King James Version

2 Corinthians 6:7 in other translations

BSBin truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
WEBin the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
ASVin the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
YLTin the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armour of the righteousness, on the right and on the left,
DARBYin the word of truth, in the power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,
BBEIn the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
WebsterBy the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

What does 2 Corinthians 6:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. By the word of truth, by the power of God--rather, "In ... in," &c. As to "the word of truth" (compare 2Co 4:2; Col 1:5), and "the (miraculous) power of God" (2Co 4:7); 1Co 2:4, "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." by the armour--Greek, "through" or "by means of the armor." "Righteousness," which is the breastplate alone in Ep 6:13-17, here is made the whole Christian panoply (compare 2Co 10:4). on ... right ... and ... left--that is, guarding on every side.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. By the word of truth. That is, by making known the truths of the gospel. It was his object to make known the simple truth. He did not corrupt it by false mixtures of philosophy and human wisdom, but communicated it as it had been revealed to him. The object of the appointment of the Christian ministry is to make known the truth; and when that is done, it cannot but be that they will commend their office and work to the favourable regards of men.

By the power of God. By the Divine power which attended the preaching of the gospel. Most of the ancient commentators explain this of the power of working miracles.--Bloomfield. But it probably includes all the displays of Divine power which attended the propagation of the gospel, whether in the working of miracles, or in the conversion of men. If it be asked how Paul used this power so as to give no offence in the work of the ministry, it may be replied, that the miraculous endowments bestowed upon the apostles, the power of speaking foreign languages, etc., seem to have been bestowed upon them to be employed in the same way as were their natural faculties. 1Cor 14:32. The idea here is, that they used the great powers intrusted to them by God, not as impostors would have done, for the purposes of gain and ambition, or for vain display, but solely for the furtherance of the true religion, and the salvation of men. They thus showed that they were sent from God, as well by the nature of the powers with which they were intrusted, as by the manner in which they used them.

By the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. Interpreters have varied much in the exposition of this passage; and many have run into utter wildness. Grotius says that it refers to the manner in which the ancient soldiers were armed. They bore a spear in their right hand, and a shield in the left. With the former they attacked their foes, with the latter they made defence. Some have supposed that it refers to the fact that they were taught to use the sword with the left hand as well as with the right. The simple idea is, that they were completely armed. To be armed on the right hand and on the left, is to be well armed, or entirely equipped. They went forth to conflict. They met persecution, opposition, and slander. As the soldier went well armed to battle, so did they. But the armour with which they met their foes, and which constituted their entire panoply, was a holy life. With that they met all the assaults of their enemies; with that all slander and persecution. That was their defence, and by that they hoped and expected to achieve their conquests. They had no swords, and spears, and helmets, and shields; no carnal weapons of offence and defence; but they expected to meet all their assaults, and to gain all their victories, by an upright and holy life.

(a) "word of truth" 2Cor 4:2 (b) "power of God" 1Cor 2:4 (c) "armour of righteousness" Eph 6:11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 By the word of truth - The doctrine of truth received immediately from God, and faithfully and affectionately preached to men. By the power of God - Confirming this doctrine, not only by the miracles which we were enabled to work, but also by the application of that truth to the souls of the people by the energy of God. By the armor of righteousness - Such as that described by the apostle, Eph 6:13-17, which he calls there the whole armor of God, consisting of the following pieces: the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. On the right hand and on the left - Particularly, the shield and the sword; the former on the left arm, the latter in the right hand. We have the doctrine of truth, and the power of God, as an armor to protect us on all sides, every where, and on all occasions. It seems far-fetched to understand the right hand as signifying prosperity, and the left as signifying adversity; as if the apostle had said: We have this armor to defend us both in prosperity and adversity. By the doctrine of the Gospel, and by the power of God, the apostles were furnished with offensive and defensive weapons; they could ever defend themselves, and discomfit their foes.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 →

2 Corinthians 6:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνenin [the]G1722
λόγῳlogōwordG3056
ἀληθείας,alētheiasof truth,G225
ἐνenin [the]G1722
δυνάμειdunameipowerG1411
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
διὰdiawithG1223
τῶνtōntheG3588
ὅπλωνhoplōnweaponsG3696
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
δικαιοσύνηςdikaiosunēsof righteousnessG1343
τῶνtōnfor theG3588
δεξιῶνdexiōnright handG1188
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀριστερῶν,aristerōnfor [the] left,G710

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 6:7

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

    (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

  • 2 Timothy 2:15

    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

  • Ephesians 6:11-20

    Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; …

  • Ephesians 3:20

    Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

  • 2 Corinthians 13:4

    For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8

    But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

  • James 1:18

    Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

  • Psalms 119:43

    And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:14

    For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

  • Ephesians 1:13

    In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the word.
1:18-20; 4:2; 7:14; Ps 119:43; Eph 1:13; 4:21; Col 1:5; 2Ti 2:15
Jas 1:18
the power.
10:4,5; 13:4; Mr 16:20; Ac 11:21; 1Co 1:24; 2:4,5; Eph 1:19,20; 3:20
Heb 2:4
the armour.
Isa 11:5; 59:17; Ro 13:12,13; Eph 6:11,13,14-20; 1Th 5:8; 2Ti 4:7
on the right.
Ex 14:22; Pr 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 6:6

    By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

  • 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,

  • 2 Corinthians 6:8

    By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

Read all of 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En palabra de verdad, en potencia de Dios, en armas de justicia á diestro y á siniestro;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		par la parole de la vérité, par la puissance de Dieu, par les armes de justice de la main droite et de la main gauche,
German
Elberfelder 1871		im Worte der Wahrheit, in der Kraft Gottes; durch die Waffen der Gerechtigkeit zur Rechten und zur Linken;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in verbo veritatis, in virtute Dei, per arma justitiæ a dextris et a sinistris,