July 11, 2022 – Monday
2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV
12 Now 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 1:12 YLT
12 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
2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT
12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
Comments
Why three versions of this verse above. If you look at the NIV you see it has with integrity and godly sincerity with the “g” of godly not capitalized. Young’s Literal Translation has in simplicity and sincerity of God with “G” of God capitalized. Then the New Living Translation has with a God-given holiness and sincerity with “G” of God capitalized. Most translations have godly sincerity, and the “g” was never capitalized. Why? I don’t know, but perhaps it is because it is not to be capitalized whenever it is used directly as an adjective or an adverb. Anyone know or have an idea as to why?
Enough on that, let’s look at the verse and what Paul is saying. First, he is saying, Now 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. Frankly this would sound like bragging if not for the second part of this verse, We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
Paul is without question saying he and those with him conducted themselves, especially in their relations with the Corinthians, with integrity and godly sincerity. He even says it is our boast. How was this done? How was this accomplished? Paul makes sure we know it was not done by relying not on worldly wisdom. Today we can find all kinds of advice on how to act and behave with integrity and sincerity. Two books come to mind, “The7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and the much older classic, “How To Win Friends & Influence People.” While you may find bits of godly wisdom within them, the are really worldly wisdom with worldly goals.
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Paul did not reply upon worldly wisdom or seeking worldly goals. Instead, he writes, We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. God’s grace or God’s favor is Paul’s explanation on how they were able to conduct themselves with integrity and godly sincerity. Without God’s favor, His grace, it would not have been possible.
I think and believe sometimes we think we cannot act with integrity and godly sincerity. And I am sure that is correct if we do not ask for God’s grace and favor in our everyday lives and conversations. We, all too often, want to stand up for something we think or believe without caring how we sound or appear to others (here I am thinking of myself and my words and actions at times). However, given pause and relying on God’s grace we may be able to put Proverbs 11:25 ESV into action, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Bottom Line: We choose how we act and behave. With prayer and asking for God’s grace we can do much better.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You provide so much for us. Salvation through Your grace and grace in so many other parts of our lives if we will but pray and ask. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek