Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 4:2
2But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- New International Version (NIV)Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:2
1Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; 4among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4:2 word by word
ἀλλ᾽ ἀπειπάμεθα τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς αἰσχύνης μὴ περιπατοῦντες ἐν πανουργίᾳ, μηδὲ δολοῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλὰ τῇ φανερώσει τῆς ἀληθείας συνιστάνοντες ἑαυτοὺς πρὸς πᾶσαν συνείδησιν ἀνθρώπων ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butἀλλάalla · butG235
- have renouncedἀπεῖπονapeipomēn · to renounceG550
- the hidden thingsκρυπτόςkruptos · hiddenG2927
- of dishonestyαἰσχύνηaischunē · shameG152
- notμήmē · notG3361
- walkingπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- craftinessπανουργίαpanourgia · craftinessG3834
- norμηδέmēde · norG3366
- handlingδολόωdoloō · to distortG1389
- the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- by manifestationφανέρωσιςphanerōsis · revelationG5321
- of the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
- commendingσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
- ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
- man’sἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- conscienceσυνείδησιςsuneidēsis · conscienceG4893
- in the sight ofἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:2
- 1 Corinthians 4:5So do not go on passing judgment before the appointed time, but wait until the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the [secret] things that are hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
- Romans 1:16I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
- Romans 6:21So what benefit did you get at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None!] For the outcome of those things is death!
- Ephesians 5:12for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity].
- 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.
- Ephesians 4:14So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change].
- 2 Corinthians 5:11Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment].
- 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
- 2 Corinthians 7:14For if I have boasted to him at all concerning you, I was not disappointed. But just as everything we ever said to you was true, so our boasting [about you] to Titus has proved true also.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2But have renounced - · We have disclaimed the hidden things of dishonesty; , the hidden things of shame; those things which wicked men do; and which they are ashamed to have known, and ashamed to own. Dr. Whitby thinks that the apostle refers to carnal abominations, of which the Jews and their rabbins were notoriously guilty. And it does appear from the first epistle that there were persons in Corinth who taught that fornication was no sin; and it appears…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2But have renounced - ( ̓́ apeipamethafrom ̓̀ apoand ̓͂ eipon). The word means properly to speak out or off; to refuse or deny; to interdict or forbid. Here it means, to renounce, or disown; to spurn, or scorn with aversion. It occurs no where else in the New Testament; and the sense here is, that the apostles had such a view of the truth of religion, and the glory of the Christian scheme 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, as to lead them to discard everything that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Paul's ministry was honest, unlike some other preachers (2:17).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. renounced--literally, "bid farewell to." of dishonesty--rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Ro 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (2Co 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (2Co 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare 2Co 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (2Co 2:17; 3:1; 11:13-15). handling ... deceitfully--so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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