Note 17 at 2 Cor. 6:7: The "word of truth" was the gospel of Christ, with all of it's content, that Paul was chosen to bear before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15-16). Paul states in 1 Corinthians 2:4 that "my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (see note 4 at Mt. 28:19, p. 563; see note 5 at Acts 1:8, p. 573; see note 3 at Acts 8:6, p. 614).

Note 18 at 2 Cor. 6:7: The Greek word "hoplon," translated "armour" in this verse, is always used in the plural in the New Testament, and describes both offensive and defensive weapons and armour. Paul speaks of the Christian as being in a struggle against the devil and his wiles (Eph. 6:11). In this warfare God has supplied the believer with spiritual weapons for battle. Although the ultimate battle has already been won, Satan's forces must be subdued (i.e. be brought under control by force) until all enemies are put under Christ's feet (see note 7 at 1 Cor. 15:25, p. 959).

Some of the Christian's weapons mentioned in scripture are: the weapons of righteousness, both practical and imputed (Rom. 5:17; 6:13), praise as a two-edged sword (Ps. 149:6), the armour of light (Rom. 13:12-14), the breastplate of righteousness (Isa. 59:17), the belt of truth, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), and all kinds of prayer (Eph. 6:10-18), the breastplate of faith and love (1 Th. 5:8), the helmet of the hope of salvation (1 Th. 5:8), wisdom (Eccl. 9:18; 1 Cor. 1:30), the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11), casting down imaginations and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-5), overcoming evil with good (Rom. 12:21), and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Rom. 13:12-14).

Note 19 at 2 Cor. 6:7: Notice that this is the armor of righteousness. Our defenses depend completely on our righteous position in Christ, which is a gift (see note 15 at 1 Cor. 1:30, p. 865). The fact that Paul says this armor of righteousness should be on both our right and left hand is stressing that there is no safety in ourselves. All our righteousness, and therefore all our defenses, come from the Lord.