2 Corinthians 4:1-2 ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been magnifying his office, upon the consideration of the excellency or glory of that gospel about which he did officiate; and now in this chapter his design is to vindicate their ministry from the accusation of false teachers, who charged them as deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the minds of the people against them on account of their sufferings. He tells them, therefore, how they believed, and how they showed their value for their... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

4:1-6 Since therefore this part of God's service has been given to us, even as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have refused to have anything to do with hidden and shameful methods. We do not act with unscrupulous cleverness. We do not adulterate the word which God gave us to preach. But by making the truth clear, we commend ourselves to the human conscience in all its forms in the sight of God. But if in fact the good news that we preach is veiled to some, it is veiled in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore seeing we have this ministry ,.... The apostle having largely insisted on the difference between the law and the Gospel, the ministration of the one and of the other, proceeds to give an account of his own conduct, and that of his fellow apostles and ministers: "we", says he, "faint not"; under all the reproaches cast upon us, persecutions raised against us, and tribulations that attend us; we do not sink in our spirits, or give out from the ministry; we go on cheerfully in our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty ,.... Or "shame"; this is a further account of the conduct of the first ministers of the Gospel, and very worthy of our imitation, and in which the apostle strikes at the different manner of behaviour in the false apostles: this may respect both doctrine and practice; they abhorred and rejected everything that was scandalous and reproachful to the Gospel of Christ; in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Seeing we have this ministry - The Gospel, of which he gave that noble account which we read in the preceding chapter. We faint not - We meet with many tribulations, but are supported in and through all by the grace of the Gospel. Instead of ουκ εκκακουμεν , we faint not, ουκ εγκακουμεν , we act not wickedly, is the reading of ADFG, and some others. Wakefield thinks it the genuine reading; it certainly makes a very good sense with what goes before and what follows. If we follow this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced - Απειπαμεθα· We have disclaimed the hidden things of dishonesty; τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης , 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 more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Verse 1 1.Having this ministry. He now returns to a commendation of himself personally, from which he had digressed into a general discussion, in reference to the dignity of the gospel. As, therefore, he has been treating of the nature of the gospel, so he now shows how faithful and upright a minister of it he is. He has previously shown, what is the true gospel of Christ. He now shows what he preaches to be such. “Having,” says he, “this ministry” — that ministry, the excellence of which he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:2

Verse 2 2.But renounce the hidden things. While he commends his own sincerity, (425) he, on the other hand, indirectly reproves the false Apostles, who, while they corrupted by their ambition the genuine excellence of the gospel, were, nevertheless, desirous of exclusive distinction. Hence the faults, from which he declares himself to be exempt, he indirectly imputes to them. By the hidden things of disgrace, or concealments, some understand the shadows of the Mosaic law. Chrysostom understands... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore . Because of the freedom and open vision of the gospel. As we have received mercy. Gratitude for a mercy so undeserved ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ) makes us fearless and vigorous in a ministry so glorious ( Acts 20:23 , Acts 20:24 ). We faint not. The word implies the maintenance of a holy courage ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 ) and perseverance ( 2 Thessalonians 3:13 ). It occurs again in 2 Corinthians 4:16 , and in Luke 18:1 ; Galatians 6:9 ; Ephesians 3:13 . read more