By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Parallel translations
- WEB in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- BSB in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
- NKJV by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- NASB in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
- NLT We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul ministers by truthful speech and God's power, armed with righteousness for attack and defense. His ministry is upheld by truth and divine strength.
Overview
Paul points to 'the word of truth' and 'the power of God' as the substance of his work, not human cleverness. The 'armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left' pictures righteousness as both weapon and shield (cf. Eph. 6). His ministry depends on God's truth and power rather than worldly means.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 26
- 2 Cor 4:2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Eph 6:11–20Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- 2 Tim 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- 2 Cor 10:4–5(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
- Eph 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
- 1 Th 5:8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
- 2 Cor 13:4For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
- 2 Tim 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
- Jas 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- 1 Cor 2:4–5And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
- Eph 1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
- Ps 119:43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
- 2 Cor 7:14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
- Heb 2:4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
- Isa 59:17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
- 1 Cor 1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- Prov 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
- Mark 16:20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
- Rom 13:12–13The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
- Col 1:5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
- Eph 1:19–20And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
- Acts 11:21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
- Eph 4:21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
- Isa 11:5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
- 2 Cor 1:18–20But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
- Exod 14:22And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
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In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
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