2 Corinthians 1:12

KJV1611 – Modern English

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν, τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐν ἁπλότητι καὶ εἰλικρινείᾳ Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ, ἀλλʼ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ, ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, περισσοτέρως δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

Transliteration

For the kauchēsis of us this is, the martyrion of the syneidēseōs of us, that in haplotēti and eilikrineia of Theou, not in sophia sarkikē, but in chariti Theou, we anestraphēmen in the kosmō, and more abundantly toward you.

Grammar Details

• *kauchēsis*: nominative, feminine, singular - boasting/pride
• *martyrion*: nominative, neuter, singular - testimony/witness
• *syneidēseōs*: genitive, feminine, singular - of conscience
• *haplotēti*: dative, feminine, singular - in simplicity/sincerity
• *eilikrineia*: dative, feminine, singular - in sincerity/purity
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *sophia*: dative, feminine, singular - in wisdom
• *sarkikē*: dative, feminine, singular - fleshly/worldly
• *chariti*: dative, feminine, singular - in grace/favor
• *anestraphēmen*: aorist indicative, passive, 1st person plural - we conducted ourselves/behaved
• *kosmō*: dative, masculine, singular - in world

Word Meanings

• *kauchēsis*: boasting/pride/glorying/reason for pride
• *martyrion*: testimony/witness/evidence
• *syneidēseōs*: conscience/moral consciousness/awareness
• *haplotēti*: simplicity/sincerity/frankness/generosity
• *eilikrineia*: sincerity/purity/genuineness
• *sophia*: wisdom/knowledge/insight
• *sarkikē*: fleshly/worldly/human/natural
• *chariti*: grace/favor/kindness
• *anestraphēmen*: we conducted ourselves/behaved/lived
• *kosmō*: world/universe/ordered system

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  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.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} our{G2257} glorifying{G2746} is{G2076} this,{G3778} the testimony{G3142} of our{G2257} conscience,{G4893} that{G3754} in{G1722} holiness{G572} and{G2532} sincerity{G1505} of God,{G2316} not{G3756} in{G1722} fleshly{G4559} wisdom{G4678} but{G235} in{G1722} the grace{G5485} of God,{G2316} we behaved{G390} ourselves in{G1722} the world,{G2889} and{G1161} more abundantly{G4056} to{G4314} you-ward.{G5209}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} our{G2257} rejoicing{G2746} is{G2076}{(G5748)} this{G3778}, the testimony{G3142} of our{G2257} conscience{G4893}, that{G3754} in{G1722} simplicity{G572} and{G2532} godly{G2316} sincerity{G1505}, not{G3756} with{G1722} fleshly{G4559} wisdom{G4678}, but{G235} by{G1722} the grace{G5485} of God{G2316}, we have had our conversation{G390}{(G5648)} in{G1722} the world{G2889}, and{G1161} more abundantly{G4056} to{G4314} you-ward{G5209}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Oure reioysynge is this the testimony of oure coscience yt in synglenes and godly purenes and not in flesshly wysdome but by the grace of God we have had oure conuersacion in the worlde and most of all to you wardes.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For oure reioysinge is this, euen the testimony of oure conscience, that in synglenes & godly purenesse, not in fleshlye wyssdome, but in the grace of God, we haue had oure conuersacion in the worlde, but most of all with you.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For our reioycing is this, the testimonie of our conscience, that in simplicitie and godly purenesse, and not in fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde, and most of all to you wardes.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For our reioycyng is this, the testimonie of our conscience, that in simplicitie & godly purenesse, and not in fleshely wisdome, but by the grace of God, we haue had our conuersatio in the worlde, and most of all to you wardes.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  For our glorying is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we did conduct ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For our glory is in this, in the knowledge which we have that our way of life in the world, and most of all in relation to you, has been holy and true in the eyes of God; not in the wisdom of the flesh, but in the grace of God.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Paul Defends His Changed Plans For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God– not by human wisdom but by the grace of God– we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

Referenced Verses

• 2 Cor 2:17 : 17 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.
• 1 Cor 2:13 : 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
• Heb 13:18 : 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honorably.
• Jas 3:13-18 : 13 Who is wise and endowed with knowledge among you? Let him show by good conduct his works with the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
• 2 Cor 4:2 : 2 But 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.
• Job 23:10-12 : 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside. 12 Nor have I departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
• Acts 23:1 : 1 Paul, earnestly looking at the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
• Acts 24:16 : 16 And here I exercise myself, to have always a conscience without offense toward God, and toward men.
• Rom 9:1 : 1 I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
• Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites; and by smooth talk and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience is known to all, and I am glad on your behalf. But I would have you wise in what is good, and innocent concerning evil.
• 1 Cor 2:4-5 : 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
• Job 27:5-6 : 5 God forbid that I should justify you: until I die I will not renounce my integrity. 6 My righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.
• Job 31:1-9 : 1 I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I gaze upon a maiden? 2 For what portion of God is there from above? And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is not destruction for the wicked, and a strange punishment for the workers of iniquity? 4 Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has hurried to deceit; 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity. 7 If my step has turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any stain has cleaved to my hands; 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yes, let my offspring be rooted out. 9 If my heart has been deceived by a woman, or if I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door; 10 Then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this would be a heinous crime; yes, it is an iniquity to be judged. 12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase. 13 If I have despised the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He visits, what shall I answer Him? 15 Did not He that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my portion alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it; 18 (For from my youth he was raised with me as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for lack of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate; 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder blade, and let my arm be broken at the bone. 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and because of His majesty I could not endure. 24 If I have made gold my hope, or said to the fine gold, 'You are my confidence;' 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much; 26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; 27 And my heart was secretly enticed, or my mouth has kissed my hand: 28 This also would be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied the God above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted myself up when evil found him; 30 Neither have I allowed my mouth to sin by wishing a curse upon his soul. 31 If the men of my tent have not said, 'Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.' 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street, but I opened my doors to the traveler. 33 If I covered my transgressions like Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my heart; 34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, so that I kept silent and went not out of the door? 35 Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; like a prince would I approach Him. 38 If my land cries against me, or its furrows likewise complain; 39 If I have eaten its fruits without payment, or caused the owners to lose their life; 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
• Ps 7:3-5 : 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me; (yes, I have delivered him who without cause is my enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yes, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.
• Ps 44:17-21 : 17 All this has come upon us; yet we have not forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely in Your covenant. 18 Our heart is not turned back, nor have our steps declined from Your way; 19 Though You have severely broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for He knows the secrets of the heart.
• Isa 38:3 : 3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beg You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
• 2 Cor 8:8 : 8 I speak not by commandment, but as a test of the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
• 2 Cor 10:2-4 : 2 But I plead with you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence by which I think to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh: 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds;
• 2 Cor 11:3 : 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
• 2 Cor 12:15-19 : 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you; nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? 19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.
• Gal 6:4 : 4 But let every man examine his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
• Eph 6:14 : 14 Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
• Phil 1:10 : 10 So that you may approve things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ;
• 1 Thess 2:10 : 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe:
• 1 Tim 1:5 : 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith:
• 1 Tim 1:19-20 : 19 Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected concerning faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
• Titus 2:7 : 7 In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, dignity, sincerity,
• Jas 4:6 : 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
• 1 Pet 3:16 : 16 Having a good conscience, so that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
• 1 Pet 3:21 : 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
• 1 John 3:19-22 : 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
• 1 Cor 4:4 : 4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
• 1 Cor 5:8 : 8 Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
• 1 Cor 15:10 : 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
• 2 Cor 1:17 : 17 When I therefore was intending this, did I act lightly? Or the things that I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes, and no, no?
• Josh 24:14 : 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river, and in Egypt; and serve the LORD.
• Job 13:15 : 15 Though he slays me, yet will I trust in him; but I will defend my own ways before him.