God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 2:17
17At least we don’t go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ’s spokesmen and in God’s presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.
2 Corinthians 2:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
- New International Version (NIV)Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
Context of 2 Corinthians 2:17
15To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying. 16To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ? At least we don’t go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ’s spokesmen and in God’s presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 22 Corinthians 2:17 word by word
οὐ γάρ ἐσμεν ὡς οἱ πολλοὶ καπηλεύοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐκ θεοῦ, κατέναντι θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- notοὐou · noG3756
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- which corruptκαπηλεύωkapēleuō · to peddleG2585
- the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- sincerityεἰλικρίνειαeilikrineia · sincerityG1505
- in the sightκατενώπιονkatenōpion · beforeG2714
- speak weλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 2:17
- 2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don’t use tricks, and we don’t distort God’s word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our ⌞letter of⌟ recommendation.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13People who brag like this are false apostles. They are dishonest workers, since they disguise themselves as Christ’s apostles.
- Jeremiah 5:31Prophets prophesy lies. Priests rule under the prophets’ directions, and my people love this. But what will you do in the end?”
- Jeremiah 23:27They tell each other the dreams they had, because they want to make my people forget my name, as their ancestors forgot my name because of Baal.
- Matthew 24:24False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will work spectacular, miraculous signs and do wonderful things to deceive, if possible, even those whom God has chosen.
- 1 Timothy 1:19Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.
- 1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons.
- 2 Timothy 2:6A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops.
- 2 Timothy 4:3A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear.
- 2 Peter 2:1False prophets were among God’s people ⌞in the past⌟, as false teachers will be among you. They will secretly bring in their own destructive teachings. They will deny the Lord, who has bought them, and they will bring themselves swift destruction.
- 1 John 4:1Dear friends, don’t believe all people who say that they have the Spirit. Instead, test them. See whether the spirit they have is from God, because there are many false prophets in the world.
- 2 John 1:7Many people who deceive others have gone into the world. They refuse to declare that Jesus Christ came in flesh and blood. This is the mark of a deceiver and an antichrist.
- Jude 1:4Some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. Not long ago they were condemned in writing for the following reason: They are people to whom God means nothing. They use God’s kindness as an excuse for sexual freedom and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against you: You have among you those who follow what Balaam taught Balak. Balak trapped the people of Israel by ⌞encouraging⌟ them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to sin sexually.
- Revelation 12:9The huge serpent was thrown down. That ancient snake, named Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to earth. Its angels were thrown down with it.
- Revelation 19:20The beast and the false prophet who had done miracles for the beast were captured. By these miracles the false prophet had deceived those who had the brand of the beast and worshiped its statue. Both of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God - God has made Us sufficient for these things by giving us his own pure doctrine, the ministry of reconciliation, which we conscientiously preserve and preach; and we act, not like many among you, who, having received that doctrine, corrupt it; mingling with it their own inventions, and explaining away its force and influence, so as to accommodate it to men of carnal minds. The word , from , a…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17For we are not as many - This refers doubtless to the false teachers at Corinth; and to all who mingled human philosophy or tradition with the pure word of truth. Paul‘s design in the statement in this verse seems to be to affirm that he had such a deep sense of the responsibility of the ministerial office, and of its necessary influence on the eternal destiny of man, that it led him to preach the simple gospel, the pure word of God. He did not dare to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Paul compares his service to that of his opponents. They preach for personal gain and distort the truth, like merchants in Paul's time who sold poor-quality goods or innkeepers who diluted wine. In contrast, Paul preached sincerely and with Christ's authority (compare 1:12; 4:2). Paul denies having selfish motives again in 11:1–12:21.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. not as many--(2Co 11:18; Php 2:21). Rather, "the many," namely, the false teachers of whom he treats (tenth through twelfth chapters, especially 2Co 11:13; 1Th 2:3). which corrupt--Greek, "adulterating, as hucksters do wine for gain" (2Co 4:2; Is 1:22; 2Pe 2:3, "Make merchandise of you"). as of sincerity ... as of God--as one speaking from (out of) sincerity, as from (that is, by the command of, and so in dependence on) God. in Christ's--as united to…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 2:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2
- 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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