[B-Greek] 2 Cor 6:7 right hand weapon

Harold Holmyard hholmyard at ont.com
Tue Feb 28 13:08:19 EST 2006


Dear Paul,

>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.
>


HH: This seems best.


> 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.
>  
>


HH: Right. The weapons can be used offensively for an ultimately 
defensive purpose. Demolishing strongholds is not exactly defensive 
activity (2 Cor 10:4). Neither is "taking every thought captive to the 
obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). But the purpose is to demolish "every 
high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God." The 
truth is being attacked.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard




More information about the B-Greek mailing list