[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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