Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #84

Renouncing Craftiness and Shameful Things (4:2)

4:1-2 "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, BUT WE HAVE RENOUNCED THE THINGS HIDDEN BECAUSE OF SHAME, NOT WALKING IN CRAFTINESS or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God."

Paul has been accused by some in the Corinthian church of various crimes, among them slyness and craftiness. They have claimed that everything he does may look good on the outside but is actually being done for his own selfish, manipulative purposes.

Paul’s response is a loving "NOT GUILTY." We do not live this way, Paul says. "We have renounced the things hidden because of shame [i.e. things which are kept secret because they are shameful] and we don’t walk in craftiness." Later, he says that it is his detractors who are the ones engaging in deceitfulness (2Cor.11:13-15).

From the rest of the letter it is probable that Paul is here referring to the accusations having to do with his refusal to accept money from the Corinthians (see 11:7-9). Some charged him with craftiness in this, that he was refusing their gifts for his own underhanded purposes. (See 2Cor.12:16-18.) They may have accused him of using this refusal of money for moral manipulation or perhaps claimed he was too proud to receive it.

This teaches us two important lessons:

First, it teaches us that craftiness and things hidden because of shame are to be renounced by the Christian. We are to operate in the light, not hiding what we do, ashamed for others to see it. If I am ashamed for others to see something I do, I probably shouldn’t be doing it. Deceitfulness, trickery, manipulation: they are contrary to Christ and must be repudiated by anyone who wants to follow Him.

Second, it teaches us that anyone can be falsely accused. If the apostle Paul can be accused of impropriety because he would not accept money from the Corinthians, then there is no one beyond the pale of false accusation. Anything, ANYTHING can be taken wrong and used against a person if someone is determined to denigrate him. Daniel’s prayer was taken as treason. Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of the devil. At times the holy God Himself is made out to be a demon. This means that we also will be falsely accused:

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." (Matt.5:11)

Men have an uncanny ability to think the worst of those they do not like. And if you look at anything from a certain angle, it can look bad. Kids who have been reared by godly and loving parents have made their parents out to look like tyrants. Christian leaders are demonized beyond belief by those who hate what they stand for.

On the one hand, we must guard ourselves from treating people this way. We must never be quick to believe evil about another person. Each of us has been hurt by others who were quick to believe evil about us. The love of Christ drives us to think the best of others, to be slow to believe evil, and to give the judgment of charity.

On the other hand, we must respond lovingly when others think evil of us. We should not be quick to be offended. Each of us has wrongly judged others in our hearts, we should be patient and understanding when others do it to us. This is the way Paul lived:

"When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate." (1Cor.4:12-13)

(Here in 2Cor.4:1ff. he is trying to conciliate/appeal to/encourage [all meanings of the word in 1Cor.4:13] - to lovingly deal with the false accusation.)

And then he says, " I exhort you, be imitators of me." (2Cor.3:16)

Dear Father, I want the enemies of Christ to have no ammunition from my life to use to defame Christ. Please help me to renounce the secretive practices of shameful behavior. Help me to put away all deceit and craftiness. Help me live a life that is honorable, loving, upright, open, and completely truthful.