2 Corinthians 2:17

Many. Literally, “the many,” that is, those who opposed Paul. Apparently a large number of church members in Corinth had concluded that “the many” could not be wrong. To them the only important question was, Which is the popular side?

Which corrupt. Literally, “retailers,” “peddlers,” “hucksters,” “sharp dealers.” The word thus translated is always used in an uncomplimentary sense. It was used, for instance, of a retailer of wine, or vintner, who adulterated his wine by adding either water or some other inferior mixture, in order to make a greater profit. It came also to be used in an intellectual sense. Plato thus refers to philosophers who, according to his way of thinking, adulterated true philosophy.

Paul now speaks of those who adulterate, or deal deceitfully with, the Word of God. “The many” at Corinth were like dishonest tavernkeepers and wine peddlers, dispensing a gospel corrupted with human theories and traditions. According to Rev. 17:2 the apostate church makes the inhabitants of the earth drank with the wine of her fornication, that is, the wine of adulterated, false doctrines. False teachers are content with a counterfeit, with a cheap substitute, with superficial obedience, with trying to achieve righteousness by works. They sell the Word for personal profit, at a low price of personal sacrifice on the part of the buyer. The methods and teachings of such hucksters of religion are often alluded to in Scripture (Isa. 50:11; 2 Cor. 10:12, 13; 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-18).

As of sincerity. The successful minister of the gospel is conscious that God has sent him, conscious that God sees him, conscious of the spirit of Christ within him. The true preacher will be free from all self-seeking, all duplicity and hypocrisy, all sordid motives, all cravings for popularity and fame. He will preach the Word, with Christ as its center.