God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 4:2
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 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- New International Version (NIV)Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:2
1We don’t become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. Instead, 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. 3So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. 4The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. As a result, they don’t see the light of the Good News about Christ’s glory. It is Christ who is God’s image.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4:2 word by word
ἀλλ᾽ ἀπειπάμεθα τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς αἰσχύνης μὴ περιπατοῦντες ἐν πανουργίᾳ, μηδὲ δολοῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλὰ τῇ φανερώσει τῆς ἀληθείας συνιστάνοντες ἑαυτοὺς πρὸς πᾶσαν συνείδησιν ἀνθρώπων ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butἀλλάalla · butG235
- have renouncedἀπεῖπονapeipomēn · to renounceG550
- the hidden thingsκρυπτόςkruptos · hiddenG2927
- of dishonestyαἰσχύνηaischunē · shameG152
- notμήmē · notG3361
- walkingπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- craftinessπανουργίαpanourgia · craftinessG3834
- norμηδέmēde · norG3366
- handlingδολόωdoloō · to distortG1389
- the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- by manifestationφανέρωσιςphanerōsis · revelationG5321
- of the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
- commendingσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
- ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
- man’sἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- conscienceσυνείδησιςsuneidēsis · conscienceG4893
- in the sight ofἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:2
- 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
- Romans 1:16I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well.
- Romans 6:21What did you gain by doing those things? You’re ashamed of what you used to do because it ended in death.
- Ephesians 5:12It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12We are proud that our conscience is clear. We are proud of the way that we have lived in this world. We have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity, especially toward you. It was not by human wisdom that we have lived but by God’s kindness.
- 2 Corinthians 2:17At 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 11:3However, I’m afraid that as the snake deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
- Ephesians 4:14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11As people who know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. God already knows what we are, and I hope that you also know what we are.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety,
- 2 Corinthians 7:14I didn’t have to be ashamed of anything I had said to him when I bragged about you. Since everything we told you was true, our bragging to Titus has also proved to be true.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2But have renounced - · We have disclaimed the hidden things of dishonesty; , the hidden things of shame; those things which wicked men do; and which they are ashamed to have known, and ashamed to own. Dr. Whitby thinks that the apostle refers to carnal abominations, of which the Jews and their rabbins were notoriously guilty. And it does appear from the first epistle that there were persons in Corinth who taught that fornication was no sin; and it appears…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2But have renounced - ( ̓́ apeipamethafrom ̓̀ apoand ̓͂ eipon). The word means properly to speak out or off; to refuse or deny; to interdict or forbid. Here it means, to renounce, or disown; to spurn, or scorn with aversion. It occurs no where else in the New Testament; and the sense here is, that the apostles had such a view of the truth of religion, and the glory of the Christian scheme 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, as to lead them to discard everything that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Paul's ministry was honest, unlike some other preachers (2:17).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. renounced--literally, "bid farewell to." of dishonesty--rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Ro 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (2Co 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (2Co 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare 2Co 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (2Co 2:17; 3:1; 11:13-15). handling ... deceitfully--so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4
- 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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