2 Corinthians 2:17 BSB

2 Corinthians 2:17

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.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

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.

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.

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Commentary

3 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For we are not as many - This refers doubtless to the false teachers at Corinth; and to all who mingled human philosophy or tradition with the pure word of truth. Paul’s design in the statement in this verse seems to be to affirm that he had such a deep sense of the responsibility of the ministerial office, and of its necessary influence on the eternal destiny of man, that it led him to preach the simple gospel, the pure word of God. He did not dare to dilute it with any human mixture.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

For we are not as many, who adulterate the word of God - Like those vintners (so the Greek word implies) who mix their wines with baser liquors. But as of sincerity - Without any mixture.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Those who are willingly ignorant, and wilfully obstinate, disrelish the gospel, as men dislike an ill savour, and therefore they are blinded and hardened by it: it stirs up their corruptions, and exasperates their spirits. They reject the gospel, to their ruin, even to spiritual and eternal death. (2.) Unto others the gospel is a savour of life unto life.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

24 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
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 →
θεοῦ	theou	God	G2316 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
Χριστῷ	Christō	Christ	G5547 →
λαλοῦμεν.¶	laloumen	we speak.	G2980 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to…
leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5
  For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11
  Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13–15
  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4–7
  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each…
Through
2 Corinthians 1:12
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom,…
leads to
- 1 Corinthians 2:13
  And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
- James 3:13–18
  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10
  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

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01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians