Darby Bible
2 Corinthians 1:17
17Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and 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 with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour; 16and to pass through to Macedonia by you, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be set forward by you to Judaea. Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay? 18Now God [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he who has been preached by us among you (by me and Silvanus and Timotheus), did not become yea and nay, but yea is in him.
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 seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech hired with them vain and wanton men, and they followed him.
- Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith Jehovah, and that tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies and by their boasting; and I have not sent them, nor commanded them; and they profit not this people at all, saith Jehovah.
- Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are vain-glorious, treacherous persons; her priests profane the sanctuary, they do violence to the law.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.
- 2 Corinthians 10:2but I beseech that present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I think to be daring towards some who think of us as walking according to flesh.
- John 8:15Ye judge according to the flesh, I judge no one.
- Galatians 1:16was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I may announce him as glad tidings among the nations, immediately I took not counsel with flesh and blood,
- Galatians 2:2and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous [among them], lest in any way I run or had run in vain;
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18wherefore we have desired to come to you, even I Paul, both once and twice, and Satan has hindered us.
- 2 Corinthians 1:18Now God [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay.
- Matthew 5:37But let your word be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but what is more than these is from evil.
- James 5:12But before all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, that ye do not 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
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
Darby Bible — 1889 — Public Domain
Commentaries