2 Corinthians 2:17

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For we are not like many, peddling the word of God for profit. Instead, with sincerity, as sent from God and in His presence, we speak in Christ.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οὐ γάρ ἐσμεν ὡς οἱ πολλοὶ, καπηλεύοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ: ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας, ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατενώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν.

Transliteration

Not gar we esmen as the many, kapēleuontes the logon of the Theou: all' as from eilikrineias, all' as from Theou katenōpion of the Theou, in Christō we laloumen.

Grammar Details

• *gar*: postpositive conjunction - for/because
• *esmen*: present active indicative, 1st person plural - we are
• *kapēleuontes*: present active participle, masculine nominative plural - peddling/corrupting for profit
• *logon*: accusative masculine singular - word
• *Theou*: genitive masculine singular - of God
• *all'*: adversative conjunction - but
• *eilikrineias*: genitive feminine singular - sincerity
• *katenōpion*: preposition - before/in the presence of
• *Christō*: dative masculine singular - Christ
• *laloumen*: present active indicative, 1st person plural - we speak

Word Meanings

• *kapēleuontes*: peddling/corrupting for profit/adulterating
• *logon*: word/message/account
• *eilikrineias*: sincerity/genuineness/purity
• *katenōpion*: before/in the presence of/in the sight of
• *laloumen*: speak/talk/tell

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For we are not like many who corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  For we are not as many are which choppe and chaunge with the worde of God: but even oute of purenes and by the power of God and in the sight of God so speake we in Christ.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For we are not as many are, which choppe & chaunge wt the worde of God, but eue out of purenesse, and out of God, in ye sighte of God, so speake we in Christ.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For wee are not as many, which make marchandise of the woorde of God: but as of sinceritie, but as of God in ye sight of God speake we in Christ.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For we are not as many are, whiche chop & chaunge with the word of God: but as of purenesse of God, in the syght of God, so speake we in Christe.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  for we are not as the many, adulterating the word of God, but as of sincerity -- but as of God; in the presence of God, in Christ we do speak.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For we are not like the great number who make use of the word of God for profit: but our words are true, as from God, being said as before God in Christ.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

Referenced Verses

• 2 Cor 4:2 : 2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not act deceitfully or distort the word of God, but by revealing the truth, we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Cor 1:12 : 12 For this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity, not relying on worldly wisdom but on God's grace.
• 2 Cor 11:13-15 : 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds.
• 1 Tim 1:19-20 : 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
• 1 Tim 4:1-3 : 1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. 2 They will speak lies with hypocrisy, and their consciences will be seared as with a hot iron. 3 They will forbid marriage and require abstinence from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
• 2 Tim 2:6-9 : 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel. 9 For this gospel I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 For this reason, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him. 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 14 Keep reminding them of these things, and solemnly warn them before God not to quarrel about words. Such arguments are useless and lead to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
• 2 Tim 4:3-4 : 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they will gather teachers for themselves to satisfy their itching ears. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
• Titus 1:11 : 11 They must be silenced because they are upsetting whole households by teaching things they should not for the sake of dishonest gain.
• Heb 11:27 : 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king, for he persevered as though seeing the one who is invisible.
• 2 Pet 2:1-3 : 1 But just as there were false prophets among the people, there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their destructive ways, and because of them, the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 In their greed, they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
• Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. And My people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
• Jer 23:27-32 : 27 They plan to make My people forget My name through their dreams, which they tell to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what is straw compared to grain? declares the LORD. 29 Is not My word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that shatters a rock? 30 Therefore, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal My words from each other. 31 Yes, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who wag their tongues and declare, ‘This is the LORD’s declaration.’ 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, declares the LORD. They tell them and lead My people astray with their lies and reckless boasting. Yet I did not send or command them to do so, and they do not benefit these people at all, declares the LORD.
• Matt 24:24 : 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
• Acts 20:20 : 20 'I did not shrink back from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house.'
• Acts 20:27 : 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole plan of God.
• 1 Cor 5:8 : 8 Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
• 2 John 1:7-9 : 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes beyond and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or greet him. 11 For the one who greets him shares in his wicked works.
• Jude 1:4 : 4 For certain people have secretly slipped in among you—those who were written about long ago as being destined for this condemnation. They are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into a license for immorality and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
• Rev 2:14-15 : 14 But I have a few things against you: You have those there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites—to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.
• Rev 2:20 : 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching, she misleads my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
• Rev 12:9 : 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
• Rev 19:20 : 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf. By these signs he had deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.
• 1 John 4:1 : 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.