American Standard Version
2 Corinthians 1:17
17When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay?
2 Corinthians 1:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
- New International Version (NIV)Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?
Context of 2 Corinthians 1:17
15And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit; 16and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judæa. When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay? 18But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 1:17 word by word
τοῦτο οὖν βουλόμενος μήτι ἄρα τῇ ἐλαφρίᾳ ἐχρησάμην, ἢ ἃ βουλεύομαι κατὰ σάρκα βουλεύομαι, ἵνα ᾖ παρ᾽ ἐμοὶ τὸ ναὶ ναὶ καὶ τὸ οὒ οὔ;Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 1:17
- Judges 9:4And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him.
- Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.
- Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- 2 Corinthians 10:2yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
- John 8:15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
- Galatians 1:16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Galatians 2:2And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
- 2 Corinthians 1:18But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.
- Matthew 5:37But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
- James 5:12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Did I use lightness? - When I formed this purpose, was it without due consideration? and did I abandon it through fickleness of mind? That with me there should be yea, etc. - That I should act as carnal men, who change their purposes, and falsify their engagements, according as may seem best to their secular interest?Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17When I therefore was thus minded - When I formed this purpose; when I willed this, and expressed this intention. Did I use lightness? - The word ̓ elaphria(from ̓́ elaphros) means properly lightness in weight. Here it is used in reference to the mind; and in a sense similar to our word levity, as denoting lightness of temper or conduct; inconstancy, changeableness, or fickleness. This charge had been probably made that he had made the promise without any…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-24Verses 15-24 The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17People criticized Paul for not making decisions and breaking his promise. Paul protested with anger.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. use lightness--Was I guilty of levity? namely, by promising more than I performed. or ... according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea ... nay, nay?--The "or" expresses a different alternative: Did I act with levity, or (on the other hand) do I purpose what I purpose like worldly (fleshly) men, so that my "yea" must at all costs be yea, and my "nay" nay [Bengel, Winer, Calvin], (Mt 14:7, 9)? The repetition of the "yea" and "nay"…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 1:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1
- 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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries