2 Corinthians 4:2

Have renounced. Literally, “have renounced [once for all].” At conversion Paul had renounced every practice that was inconsistent with his new-found faith, and upon receiving his commission as a gospel minister he had renounced questionable methods such as his opponents felt free to use.

Dishonesty. Gr. aischunē, “shameful [things].” The Christian ministry demands transparency of life and character. The moment men begin to suspect that there are things in a leader’s life that will not bear scrutiny, his work is over. The first requirement of a true minister is that he renounce completely all things that might bring shame to the cause of God. True religion is a way of light and never of darkness (see Rom. 13:12; 1 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 5:8; cf. 1 John 1:5), for it is concerned, not only with every act, but even more, with the motive that prompts the act.

Not walking in craftiness. That is, not practicing deception. Paul aspired to be what he appeared to be (cf. Luke 20:23). His opponents would resort to any deception in order to secure their objectives.

Deceitfully. Paul proclaimed the whole truth without adulterating it. Adulteration of the Word of God consists of preaching personal opinions as if they had the sanction of Scripture, of removing texts from their context, of substituting human traditions for a “Thus saith the Lord,” of explaining away the plain meaning of Scripture in order to excuse sin, of interpreting its literal teachings in a mystical or symbolic way so as to vitiate their force, or of presenting an admixture of error with truth (see 2 Cor. 11:3; 12:16; Eph. 4:14; 1 Thess. 2:3, 4).

Manifestation. In one form or another the word “manifest” appears repeatedly in this epistle (chs. 2:14; 3:3; 4:10; 5:11; 11:6; etc.). It stands for the opposite of concealment and craftiness. All that truth requires is a simple, clear statement. Nothing in the minister or the professed Christian must be allowed to obscure this open manifestation.

Commending ourselves. Opponents at Corinth have branded Paul a false apostle (see on ch. 3:1). He now proceeds to defend his apostleship by setting forth certain aspects of his life and ministry that should commend him to them as a genuine apostle.

Conscience. For the importance Paul attached to a clear conscience see on Acts 23:1. Paul credits every man with the capacity for moral judgment and for an inborn knowledge of the moral law (see Rom. 2:13–15). Paul’s “manifestation” of the truth appealed not only to men’s intellect, but also to their conscience (cf. John 8:9; Rom. 2:15).

In the sight of God. God knows the integrity of Paul’s heart, and Paul, as it were, calls God to testify to the truth of what he now writes.