Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:7

"in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," — 2 Corinthians 6:7 (ASV)

From mention of outward circumstances (vv.4b–5) Paul moves on to specify the inward qualities he sought to display (v.6) and the spiritual equipment he relied on (v.7) while discharging his apostolic commission.

“Purity” refers to both moral uprightness and singleness of purpose.

“Understanding” is not simply pastoral insight but also knowledge of the Christian faith and sensitivity to God’s will (cf. 1 Peter 3:7). By “patience” Paul means the endurance of insult or injury without anger or retaliation. “Kindness” is the generous and sympathetic disposition that acts in love. Paul’s reference to the person of the Holy Spirit here emphasizes the Spirit as the source of all spiritual graces. That is, “the Holy Spirit” probably denotes the gifts or graces of the Holy Spirit.

After a reference to his proclamation of the truth “in the power of God” (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1–5), Paul introduces a military metaphor that he had used earlier (1 Thessalonians 5:8) and would develop later (Romans 6:13; Ephesians 6:11–17). “Weapons of righteousness” means either weapons supplied by God (Ephesians 6:10–11) as a result of justification or weapons that consist of personal integrity. Weapons “in the right hand and in the left” may allude to “the sword of the Spirit” and “the shield of faith” that form part of the Christian’s armor (Ephesians 6:16–17).