7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
by [through] the power of God,
The gospel team had to depend on God’s power to get them through severe ministry hurdles. They did not fight spiritual wars in their strength (Ro 1:16; 1 Co 1:18; 2:4-5; 1 Th 1:5).
Paul’s team did not use rhetoric or other purely human methods for reaching people. The message of the gospel itself was mighty (1 Co 1:18). It was not necessary to use deceptive methodology geared to the emotions of men, among other things.
PRINCIPLE:
All ministers should lean on God’s power to work in their field of ministry.
APPLICATION:
Faith should never rest in the wisdom of men but in God’s power (1 Co 2:5). God’s power in us gets the attention of others. The proclamation of God’s Word is not merely a human activity.
