English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 1:17
17Was 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?
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”?
- 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?
- New Living Translation (NLT)You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”?
Context of 2 Corinthians 1:17
15Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 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? 18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.
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
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 9:4And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.
- Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.
- Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
- 2 Corinthians 10:2I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
- John 8:15You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
- Galatians 1:16was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
- Galatians 2:2I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
- 2 Corinthians 1:18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
- Matthew 5:37Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
- James 5:12But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
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
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