2 Corinthians 1:17

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

15Because of this confidence, I planned to come to you first, so that you could have a second benefit, 16and to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then come to you again from Macedonia and be helped by you on my journey to Judea. Now when I planned this, was I of two minds? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.” 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you — Silvanus, Timothy, and I — did not become “Yes and no.” On the contrary, in him it is always “Yes.”

2 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• When I thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• wasβουλεύωbouleuō · to planG1011
• thusοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• didμήmē · notG3361
• ·τιςtis · oneG5100
• ·ἆραara · no?G687
• I useχράωchraomai · to useG5530
• lightnessὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• lightnessἐλαφρίαelaphria · lightnessG1644
• orἤē · orG2228
• the thingsὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• according toκατάkata · according toG2596
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• there should beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• yeaναίnai · yesG3483
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• nayοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 1:17

• Judges 9:4So they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used it to hire worthless and reckless men, and they followed him.
• Jeremiah 23:32I am against those who prophesy false dreams” — the Lord’s declaration — “telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people” — this is the Lord’s declaration.
• Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are reckless — treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.
• John 8:15You judge by human standards. I judge no one.
• Galatians 1:16to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.
• Galatians 2:2I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:18So we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us.
• 2 Corinthians 1:18As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.”
• Matthew 5:37But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.
• James 5:12Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall 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

• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Call
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Despair
• Fleshly
• Testimony
• Wisdom
• Yea
• Commentaries
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Ephesians, Epistle to the

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