John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. By the word of truth , etc..] By preaching the Gospel, truly, sincerely, without any adulteration of it, which comes from the God of truth, has for its subject matter Christ, who is the truth, and into which ministers are guided by the Spirit of truth, and every doctrine of which is truth: by the power of God ; accompanying the word to the conversion and salvation of multitudes of souls; or by the signs, wonders, and miracles which were wrought for the confirmation of it: by the armour of righteousness, on the right hand, and on the left : meaning, either the whole armour of God, with which a Christian is all over clothed from head to foot, and in the strength of Christ may engage any adversary without fear; or else particularly the sword of the Spirit in the right hand, and the shield of faith in the left, whereby both the offensive and defensive part may be acted; or, as others think, uprightness of conscience, and holiness of life and conversation; with which being blessed, though on the one hand he meets with prosperity, and on the other hand with adversity, he is not lifted up with the one, nor cast down with the other; he is moved by neither, but passes on unconcerned.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offer of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the prope time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know no what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a da of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in ever thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patienc in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper an behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm the against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men withou pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of suc differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variet of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligentl employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.
Greek Textus Receptus
εν 1722 PREP λογω 3056 N-DSM αληθειας 225 N-GSF εν 1722 PREP δυναμει 1411 N-DSF θεου 2316 N-GSM δια 1223 PREP των 3588 T-GPN οπλων 3696 N-GPN της 3588 T-GSF δικαιοσυνης 1343 N-GSF των 3588 T-GPM δεξιων 1188 A-GPM και 2532 CONJ αριστερων 710 A-GPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Right - left. Right-hand and left-hand weapons. Offensive, as the sword, in the right hand, defensive, as the shield, in the left.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:7 {On the right hand and on the left} (twn dexiwn kai aristerwn). Offensive weapons (hoplwn) on the right, defensive on the left. See #1Th 5:8; Eph 6:11 for Paul's description of the panoply of God and #Ro 6:13 for the phrase "weapons of righteousness," the only kind that will stand the strain. See also Book of Wisdom 5:18ff.
