2 Corinthians 6:7

‘By the armour (‘weapons’) of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.’

This next series commences with ‘by’ or ‘through’, and is a series of contrasts pointing to his positive approach to life. The weapons or armour of righteousness are on both right and left hand, the one possibly having in mind sword or spear, the other shield or knife, all used both for attacking and defensive purposes. Or it may refer to armour which protects on all sides. For the essential idea is that the warrior is fully protected and is equipped for both attack and defence. To consider the fuller ideas lying behind this we can turn to Ephesians 6:10-18. They are ‘put on’ by establishment in, and use of, the truth of the word of God.

‘The armour/weapons of righteousness.’ Compare the ‘breastplate of righteousness’ (Ephesians 6:14). The idea is taken from Isaiah 59:17. There the idea is of vindication and deliverance. It describes the triumph of God in ‘righteousness’, whereby He righteously delivers and brings righteousness to men and men to righteousness. Thus through God it is righteousness which triumphs, and Paul also goes forward in Him, armoured in His active and redeeming righteousness, (as do we - Ephesians 6:14), to bring men to reconciliation and salvation (the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Corinthians can therefore be sure that he uses only righteous methods.

But righteousness also protects. Thus we are protected from all assaults of the enemy because we are immersed in the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21), and accounted as righteous in God’s sight, and because we live righteous lives, a righteousness which, being lived out, confuses our opponents (1 Peter 3:16). Thus we must see ‘righteousness’ here as God’s righteousness in all its many facets as it works in and through our lives.