Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:7

What does 2 Corinthians 6:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 6:7 means

Paul’s ministry rests “in the word of truth” and “in the power of God,” not in cleverness. The message is God’s revealed truth, and its effectiveness depends on divine energy. He then pictures righteousness as armor on both right and left—comprehensive equipment for defense and offense. Living uprightly guards the minister from attack and equips him to advance the gospel. The imagery conveys readiness, balance, and resilience: wherever the blow lands, righteousness protects. It is not self-righteousness but the practical outworking of being right with God that steadies and emboldens servants as they face lies, pressures, and temptations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armour of the righteousness, on the right and on the left,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In the word of truth, in the power of God: by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in [the] word of truth, in [the] power ofGod; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,

Context

This verse crowns the virtues of verse 6 by naming the ministry’s objective foundation (truth) and enabling (God’s power), then moves to metaphor. It transitions the list from qualities to outcomes—how truth and righteousness function amid conflict. Verses 8–10 will now display how this equipment enables the apostles to endure a series of oppositions and misunderstandings. The flow carries the reader from roots to fruits: from inner resources to outward resilience under volatile circumstances.

v.6in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,

v.7This passage

v.8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4

    (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);

  • Ephesians 4:21

    if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

  • Mark 16:20

    And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

  • Romans 13:12

    The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

  • Ephesians 3:20

    Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

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