[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
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