2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

World English Bible
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WEBBE

For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

BSB

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

KJV

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

ASV

For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

BBE

For we are not like the great number who make use of the word of God for profit: but our words are true, as from God, being said as before God in Christ.

Original Greek

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οὐ ou Not G3756 γάρ gar for G1063 ἐσμεν esmen we are G1510 ὡς hōs like G5613 οἱ hoi the G3588 πολλοὶ polloi many G4183 καπηλεύοντες kapēleuontes peddling G2585 τὸν ton the G3588 λόγον logon word G3056 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 θεοῦ theou of God G2316 ἀλλ all᾽ but G235 ὡς hōs as G5613 ἐξ ex of G1537 εἰλικρινείας eilikrineias sincerity G1505 ἀλλ all᾽ but G235 ὡς hōs as G5613 ἐκ ek of G1537 θεοῦ theou God G2316 κατέναντι katenanti before G2713 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 θεοῦ theou God G2316 ἐν en in G1722 Χριστῷ Christō Christ G5547 λαλοῦμεν.¶ laloumen we speak G2980

The early church

"For we are not as the rest, which corrupt the word of God." 'For even if we use great sounding words, yet we declared nothing to be our own that we achieved, but all Christ's. For we will not imitate the false apostles; the men who say that most is of themselves.' For this is "to corrupt," when one adulterates the wine; when one sells for money what he ought to give freely. For he seems to me to be here both taunting them in respect to money, and again hinting at the very thing I have said, as that they mingle their own things with God's; which is the charge Isaiah brings when he said, "Thy vintners mingle wine with water:" for even if this was said of wine, yet one would not err in expounding it of doctrine too. 'But we,' saith he, 'do not so: but such as we have been entrusted with, such do we offer you, pouring out the word undiluted.'
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians
Whence he added, "But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." 'We do not,' saith he 'beguile you and so preach, as conferring a gift on you, or as bringing in and mingling somewhat from ourselves, "but as of God;" that is, we do not say that we confer any thing of our own, but that God hath given all.' For "of God" means this; To glory in nothing as if we had it of our own, but to refer every thing to Him. "Speak we in Christ." Not by our own wisdom, but instructed by the power that cometh from Him. Those who glory speak not in this way, but as bringing in something from themselves.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians
Whence he elsewhere also turns them into ridicule, saying, "For what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it." This is the highest virtue, to refer every thing to God, to consider nothing to be our own, to do nothing out of regard to men's opinion, but to what God willeth. For He it is that requireth the account. Now however this order is reversed: and of Him that shall sit upon the tribunal and require the account, we have no exceeding fear, yet tremble at those who stand and are judged with us.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 12–17

A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 2 →

Cross-references

23

People & places

Jesus

Topics

Minister, ChristianWord Of GodCharacterRighteousnessDoctrinesSincerity

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.