[B-Greek] 2 Cor 6:7 right hand weapon
Paul Toseland
toseland at blueyonder.co.uk
Tue Feb 28 12:30:41 EST 2006
Iver,
Re: DIA TWN hOPLWN THS DIKIOSUNHS TWN DEXIWN KAI ARISTERWN
I wonder if the issue of offensive vs. defensive weapons is really in
view here. Rather, I think, the image is simply that of a soldier in
full armour. The point of the metaphor wold then be the nature of the
armour, as specified by the genitive, THS DIKAIOSUNHS. Paul has gone to
great lengths to elucidate the role of suffering in his apostolic
ministry (2:14-5:10). In 6:3-10 he portrays himself as a *righteous*
sufferer and (6:7) a holy warrior. In 2 Cor 10:3-6 he returns to
military imagery, in a defense of his use of letters and envoys, in
place of his physical presence, in his response to the recent disorders
in Corinth:
EN SARKI GAR PERIPATOUNTES OU KATA SARKA STRATEOUMEQA, TA GAR hOPLA THS
STRATEIAS hHMWN OU SARKIKA ALL' DUNATA TWi QEWi PROS KAQEIRESIN
OCURWMATWN ...
I think there is a significant parallel between Paul's description of
his weapons here as OU SARKIKA, and his reference to hOPLA THS
DIKAIOSUNHS in 6:7. In both passages he is describing the manner in
which he conducts his ministry.
The point I am trying to make is this: any soldier would go into battle
with a shield in one hand and a sword or spear in the other. The
qualification TWN DEXIWN KAI ARISTERWN, I would suggest, simply adds the
thought of completeness: Paul conducts his minstry 'fully equipped with
the armour of righteousness'. As for the precise nature of this armour
and how it is used, I think the answer lies in the Jewish Righteous
Sufferer tradition, to which 6:4-10 alludes, and in the argument of 2
Cor 2:14-5:21 as a whole.
Best regards
Paul Toseland
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