2 Corinthians 6:7

For instance, on Abraham becoming a believer, it was reckoned to him for righteousness, he having advanced to the greater and more perfect degree of faith. For he who merely abstains from evil conduct is not just, unless he also attain besides beneficence and knowledge; and for this reason some things are to be abstained from, others are to be done. "By the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," the apostle says, the righteous man is sent on to the inheritance above,-by some [arms] defended, by others putting forth his might. For the defence of his panoply alone, and abstinence from sins, are not sufficient for perfection, unless he assume in addition the work of righteousness-activity in doing good.

For although the Scripture says, "Shall the clay say to the potter? " that is, Shall man contend with God? although the apostle speaks of "earthen vessels" he refers to man, who was originally clay.

The word of truth was in Paul's teaching, because he conveyed no message other than the one which he had received from the Lord.

But to the higher understanding they are all alike; one is not of greater value than the other; because life runs on to the finish with the same speed through all these opposites, and in the lots of either class there remains the same power of choice to live well or ill, "through armour on the right hand and on the left, through evil report and good report." Therefore the clearseeing mind which measures reality will journey on its path without turning, accomplishing its appointed time from its birth to its exit; it is neither softened by the pleasures nor beaten down by the hardships; but, as is the way with travellers, it keeps advancing always, and takes but little notice of the views presented. It is the travellers way to press on to their journey's end, no matter whether they are passing through meadows and cultivated farms, or through wilder and more rugged spots; a smiling landscape does not detain them; nor a gloomy one check their speed. So, too, that lofty mind will press straight on to its self-imposed end, not turning aside to see anything on the way. It passes through life, but its gaze is fixed on heaven; it is the good steersman directing the bark to some landmark there.

The man who rightly seeks righteousness according to human understandings is equipped with the arms of righteousness for the left hand. The man who does the same according to the teachings of the truth and who has been sought out for this task by the Son of righteousness bears the weapons of the right hand.

"In the word of truth." A thing he says in many places, that 'we continued neither to handle the word of God deceitfully nor to adulterate it.' "In the power of God." That which he always does ascribing nothing to himself but the whole to God, and imputing whatsoever he hath done aright to Him, this he hath done here also. For since he uttered great things, and affirmed that he had manifested in all things an irreproachable life and exalted wisdom, he ascribes this to the Spirit and to God. For neither were those commonplace things which he had said. For if it be a difficult thing even for one who lives in quiet to do aright and be irreproachable, consider him who was harassed by so great temptations, and yet shone forth through all, what a spirit he was of! "By the armor of righteousness on the right and the left." Seest thou his self-possession of soul and well-strung spirit? For he shows that afflictions are arms not only which strike not down, but do even fortify and make stronger. And he calls those things 'left,' which seem to be painful; for such those are which bring with them the reward. Wherefore then doth he call them thus? Either in conformity with the conception of the generality, or because God commanded us to pray that we enter not into temptation.

The weapons of righteousness on the right hand are those which are pleasing to the mind; those on the left hand are those which are not.

"In the word of truth," that is, not perverting the word of God. "In the power of God": nothing, he says, is mine, but all this was accomplished in the power of God, or in signs and wonders and in punishing and beneficent power. "With the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left": the weapons of righteousness on the left hand signify all that is grievous, while those on the right signify all that protects and places us in safety. On the left hand are sorrowful things, in the opinion of many, for the Lord also commanded to pray not to fall into temptation, and on the right are joyful things. Thus Paul showed himself blameless in both, neither losing heart in sorrows nor exalting himself in joys, but making all of these weapons of righteousness.

Then he shows how they should act in things which pertain to the truth of the mouth, namely, that they be truthful. Hence, he says, truthful speech, namely, speaking and preaching what is true.

But how they should act in regard to the perfection of a work, he tells them when he says, in the power of God, i.e., in let us not put confidence in our own works, but only in the power of God: "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Cor. 4:20).

Then when he says, with the weapons of righteousness, he shows how they should act in doing good in prosperity and adversity; and this pertains to the virtue of justice. First, he shows this in general; secondly, he explains it in particular. He says therefore, that we should show ourselves as God's ministers in much patience and what is more with the weapons of righteousness [by the armor of justice]. Here it should be noted that justice ordains and makes a man keep his place for the right hand, i.e., in prosperity, namely, that he not be lifted up; and for the left hand, i.e., in adversity, namely, that he not be cast down: "In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want" (Phil. 4:12). Then he explains this by the two sides, prosperity and adversity, saying, in honor and dishonor. Here it should be noted that in temporal affairs prosperity and adversity consist in three things, namely, the pride of life, in the concupiscence of the flesh, and in the concupiscence of the eyes: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world" (1 Jn. 2:16). He treats these in order. First, he shows how they should act in prosperity and adversity as pertaining to the pride of life; secondly, in things which pertain to the concupiscence of the flesh (v. 9); thirdly, pertaining to the concupiscence of the eyes (v. 10b).