2CO 1

2 Corinthians 1:12

WEB

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.

BSB

And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

KJV

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.

Matthew Henry

Verses 12–14

2 Corinthians 1:12–14

The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as well as for the more comfortably trusting in God (Heb 13:18), and for the necessary vindication of himself from the aspersions of some persons at Corinth, who reproached his person and questioned his apostleship. Here,

I. He appeals to the testimony of conscience with rejoicing (Co2 1:12), in which observe, 1. The witness appealed to, namely, conscience, which is instead of a thousand witnesses. This God's deputy in the soul, and the voice of conscience is the voice of God. They rejoiced in the testimony of conscience, when their enemies reproached them, and were enraged against them. Note, The testimony of conscience for us, if that be right and upon good grounds, will be matter of rejoicing at all times and in all conditions. 2. The testimony this witness gave. And here take notice, Conscience witnessed, (1.) Concerning their conversation, their constant course and tenour of life: by that we may judge of ourselves, and not by this or that single act. (2.) Concerning the nature or manner of their conversation; that it was in simplicity and godly sincerity. This blessed apostle was a true Israelite, a man of plain dealing; you might know where to have him. He was not a man who seemed to be one thing and was another, but a man of sincerity. (3.) Concerning the principle they acted from in all their conversation, both in the world and towards these Corinthians; and that was not fleshly wisdom, nor carnal politics and worldly views, but it was the grace of God, a vital gracious principle in their hearts, that cometh from God, and tendeth to God. Then will our conversation be well ordered when we live and act under the influence and command of such a gracious principle in the heart.

II. He appeals to the knowledge of the Corinthians with hope and confidence, Co2 1:13, Co2 1:14. Their conversation did in part fall under the observation of the Corinthians; and these knew how they behaved themselves, how holily, and justly, and unblamably; they never found any thing in them unbecoming an honest man. This they had acknowledged in part already, and he doubted not but they would still do so to the end, that is, that they would never have any good reason to think or say otherwise of him, but that he was an honest man. And so there would be mutual rejoicing in one another. We are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. Note, It is happy when ministers and people do rejoice in each other here; and this joy will be complete in that day when the great Shepherd of the sheep shall appear.

Cross-references: Heb 13:18 · 2Cor 1:12 · 2Cor 1:13 · 2Cor 1:14

Greek interlinear

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1063

γάρgár/gar/

and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet

Derivation: a primary particle;

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

G2746

καύχησιςkaúchēsis/kow'-khay-sis/

boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing

Derivation: from G2744;

boasting (properly, the act; by implication, the object), in a good or a bad sense

KJV: boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing.

See also: G2744.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

I, me

Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)

KJV: I, me.

For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.

See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.

G3778

οὗτοςhoûtos/hoo'-tos/

he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who

, including nominative masculine plural οὗτοι , nominative feminine singular αὕτη , and nominative feminine plural αὕται

Derivation: from the article G3588 and G846;

the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)

KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

See also: G846, G3588.

G1510

εἰμίeimí/i-mee'/

am, have been, X it is I, was

Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;

I exist (used only when emphatic)

KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.

See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

G3142

μαρτύριονmartýrion/mar-too'-ree-on/

to be testified, testimony, witness

Derivation: neuter of a presumed derivative of G3144;

something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle)

KJV: to be testified, testimony, witness.

See also: G3144.

G4893

συνείδησιςsyneídēsis/soon-i'-day-sis/

conscience

Derivation: from a prolonged form of G4894;

co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness

KJV: conscience.

See also: G4894.

G3754

ὅτιhóti/hot'-ee/

as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why

Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

See also: G3748.

G1722

ἐνen/en/

about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).

Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

See also: G1519, G1537.

G41

ἁγιότηςhagiótēs/hag-ee-ot'-ace/

holiness

Derivation: from G40;

sanctity (i.e. properly, the state)

KJV: holiness.

See also: G40.

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G1505

εἰλικρίνειαeilikríneia/i-lik-ree'-ni-ah/

sincerity

Derivation: from G1506;

clearness, i.e. (by implication) purity (figuratively)

KJV: sincerity.

See also: G1506.

G2316

θεόςtheós/theh'-os/

X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;

figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very

KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

See also: G3588.

G3756

οὐou/oo/

+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but

, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ

Derivation: a primary word;

the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not

KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.

See also G3364, G3372.

See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.

G4678

σοφίαsophía/sof-ee'-ah/

wisdom

Derivation: from G4680;

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

KJV: wisdom.

See also: G4680.

G4559

σαρκικόςsarkikós/sar-kee-kos'/

carnal, fleshly

Derivation: from G4561;

pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate

KJV: carnal, fleshly.

See also: G4561.

G235

ἀλλάallá/al-lah'/

and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet

Derivation: neuter plural of G243;

properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

See also: G243.

G5485

χάριςcháris/khar'-ece/

acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)

Derivation: from G5463;

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)

KJV: acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

See also: G5463.

G390

ἀναστρέφωanastréphō/an-as-tref'-o/

abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow, pass, return, be used

Derivation: from G303 and G4762;

to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself, i.e. remain, live

KJV: abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow, pass, return, be used.

See also: G303, G4762.

G2889

κόσμοςkósmos/kos'-mos/

adorning, world

Derivation: probably from the base of G2865;

orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

KJV: adorning, world.

See also: G2865.

G4056

περισσοτέρωςperissotérōs/per-is-sot-er'-oce/

more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather

Derivation: adverb from G4055;

more superabundantly

KJV: more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.

See also: G4055.

G1161

δέ/deh/

also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)

Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);

but, and, etc.

KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

G4314

πρόςprós/pros/

about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in)

Derivation: a strengthened form of G4253;

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)

KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in).

In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

See also: G4253.

G4771

σύ/soo/

thou

Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;

thou

KJV: thou.

See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

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