Lexical Summary hoplon: Weapon, instrument, tool Original Word: ὅπλον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance armor, instrument, weapon. Probably from a primary hepo (to be busy about); an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war) -- armour, instrument, weapon. HELPS Word-studies 3696 hóplon – properly, an implement (normally used for warfare). In the NT, 3696 /hóplon ("instrument") is always in the plural ("weapons to wage war"). 3696 /hóplon ("instruments to make war") underlines that God always gives all the resources we need to prevail in every form of spiritual warfare – as we live in faith ("His inbirthed persuasion," 2 Cor 6:7, 10:4). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a tool, implement, weapon NASB Translation armor (1), instruments (2), weapons (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3696: ὅπλονὅπλον (allied to ἐπω, Latinsequor, socius, etc.; Curtius, § 621), ὅπλου, τό, as in classical Greek from Homer down, any tool or implement for preparing a thing (like the Latinarma); hence, 1. plural arms used in warfare, weapons: John 18:3; 2 Corinthians 10:4; metaphorically, τῆς δικαιοσύνης, which ἡ δικαιοσύνη furnishes, 2 Corinthians 6:7; τοῦ φωτός, adapted to the light, such as light demands, Romans 13:12 (here L marginal reading ἔργα). 2. an instrument: ὅπλα ἀδικίας, for committing unrighteousness, opposed to ὅπλα δικαιοσύνης, for practising righteousness, Romans 6:13. ὅπλον appears six times in the Greek New Testament, spanning Gospel narrative and apostolic instruction. Twice it denotes literal armament (John 18:3), but four times it is employed metaphorically to describe the believer’s moral agency and the resources supplied by God for spiritual combat (Romans 6:13 [2×]; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4). Literal Sense: The Arrest in Gethsemane John 18:3 records Judas guiding “a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees… with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” Here ὅπλον identifies tangible implements carried by the arresting cohort. The scene underscores the contrast between earthly force and the voluntary, redemptive submission of Christ, whose kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36). Metaphorical Sense: Instruments Surrendered to God Romans 6:13 twice contrasts life under sin’s mastery with life under grace: “Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God… and the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness”. Body members are depicted as ὅπλα—neutral implements that take on moral character according to the master they serve. The verse invites comprehensive surrender, rooting sanctification in the believer’s union with the risen Christ (Romans 6:4–11). Armor of Light Romans 13:12 extends the metaphor corporately: “Let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Here ὅπλα is coupled with “light,” evoking Isaiah’s visions of messianic dawn and accentuating the eschatological urgency of holy living. Believers are summoned to dress for daytime realities even while the night lingers. Weapons of Righteousness and Divine Power 2 Corinthians 6:7 speaks of ministry conducted “with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left,” indicating symmetrical readiness—offensive and defensive—for integrity under pressure. Later, Paul sharpens the concept: “The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Spiritual opposition is real, but the church’s arsenal is spiritual, supplied and empowered by God. Theological Trajectory 1. Moral Neutrality of the Instrument: Whether members of the body, habits of mind, or strategic ministries, ὅπλα gain ethical value from the allegiance of the wielder—sin or righteousness. Historical Background In Greco-Roman usage, ὅπλον covered a spectrum from tools to full military kit (the hoplite’s panoply). Paul harnesses this cultural familiarity, redirecting the concept from civic defense to gospel mission. Just as citizens took up arms to protect the polis, Christians employ spiritual resources to advance the kingdom of God. Practical Ministry Applications • Personal Holiness: Assess habits, media, relationships, and speech. Anything can become an ὅπλον for unrighteousness or for righteousness, depending on consecration. Connection to Old Testament Imagery The vocabulary resonates with the Hebrew Scripture’s “weapons of war” that the Lord often re-purposes for judgment or salvation (Isaiah 13:5; Jeremiah 51:20). Romans 13:12’s “armor of light” echoes Isaiah 59:17, where the LORD dons righteousness as a breastplate—anticipating the Messiah and, by extension, the Messiah’s people. Christological Fulfillment Jesus submits to earthly ὅπλα in Gethsemane, ultimately triumphing by resurrection. His apparent weakness becomes the decisive demonstration that divine power overmatches worldly force. Believers, united to Him, wield spiritual ὅπλα that mirror His meek yet mighty victory. Summary Strong’s Greek 3696 pictures both literal and figurative implements. The New Testament elevates the term, calling disciples to dedicate every faculty to God’s righteous purposes and to engage a real, though unseen, battle with weapons endowed by the Spirit. Englishman's Concordance John 18:3 N-GNPGRK: λαμπάδων καὶ ὅπλων NAS: with lanterns and torches and weapons. KJV: torches and weapons. INT: lamps and weapons Romans 6:13 N-ANP Romans 6:13 N-ANP Romans 13:12 N-ANP 2 Corinthians 6:7 N-GNP 2 Corinthians 10:4 N-NNP |
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