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?
• 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?
• 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 confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 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”? 18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “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 9:4They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers.
• Jeremiah 23:32Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord.
• Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.
• John 8:15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.
• Galatians 1:16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
• Galatians 2:2I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
• 2 Corinthians 1:18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
• Matthew 5:37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
• James 5:12Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

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