Hoplon refers to weapons or instruments deployed in literal armed action and in figurative contrasts of righteousness, light, and warfare.

The attested uses show weapons in a literal armed group and, more often, instruments or weapons framed figuratively in relation to righteousness, light, and non-fleshly warfare.

1. Figurative weapons or instruments · dominant

   In 2 Corinthians 10:4, the nominative plural form stands in the clause about warfare that is not of the flesh and is powerful for destroying strongholds. In 2 Corinthians 6:7 and Romans 13:12, the genitive and accusative plural forms occur with righteousness and light; in Romans 6:13, the accusative plural form occurs in the contrast between unrighteousness and righteousness.

   2 Corinthians 10:42 Corinthians 6:7Romans 13:12Romans 6:13
2. Weapons carried by an armed group · rare

   In John 18:3, the genitive plural form occurs in the description of Judas and the accompanying cohort and servants arriving with torches, lamps, and weapons. The APB presents the group as equipped for the approach described in the verse.

   John 18:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “weapons” in each supplied verse, including literal equipment in John 18:3 and figurative clauses concerning warfare, righteousness, and light elsewhere. These renderings confirm the verse contexts rather than establish finer distinctions.