Articles
Adulterating the Word of God - 2 Cor. 4
Adulterating the Word of God - 2 Cor. 4
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. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)
“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17)
The constant danger among God’s people has always been dealing with those who would adulterate or ‘peddle’ the word of God for their own benefit. It started in the garden – ‘has God said?’ The last letter Peter wrote warned that just as there were false teachers among God’s people under the Old Covenant, so now there will be (ARE!) such among God’s people today.
While the translation of the words in these two verses is spot on, it is interesting to me to see how the Greek sources define and enlarge our understanding of the two words “adulterate’ and ‘peddle’.
1388 δόλος [dolos /dol·os/] n m. From an obsolete primary verb, dello (probably meant to decoy; GK 1515; 12 occurrences; AV translates as “guile” seven times, “subtilty” twice, “deceit” twice, and “craft” once. 1 craft, deceit, guile.
1389 δολόω [doloo /dol·o·o/] v. From 1388; GK 1516; AV translates as “handle … deceitfully” once. 1 to ensnare. 2 to corrupt.
2585 καπηλεύω [kapeleuo /kap·ale·yoo·o/] v. From kapelos (a huckster); TDNT 3:603; TDNTA 415; GK 2836; AV translates as “corrupt” once. 1 to be a retailer, to peddle. 2 to make money by selling anything. 2a to get sordid gain by dealing in anything, to do a thing for base gain. 2b to trade in the word of God. 2b1 to try to get base gain by teaching divine truth. 2c to corrupt, to adulterate. 2c1 peddlers were in the habit of adulterating their commodities for the sake of gain.
To adulterate the word is to change it – either leaving out important aspects, adding to God’s revelation, or just simply to change (i.e., “you will NOT die”).
To peddle the word can be pictured as the old practice of watering down the alcohol drinks. Here especially we see such today as preachers soften the commands in order to make it ‘easier’ to please God. Things that were sinful and/or demanded of discipleship in God’s revelation are softened (as in –‘you don’t really have to do that’).
We need to be like the Bereans: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. (Acts 17:11-12).
What makes things hard/difficult is that from the beginning the adversaries have adulterated and softened the demands of God. Then, we all have begun our lives by following the ways of the world and when we encounter the Gospel, there are habits and personality traits that we must forsake/change. Difficult? Usually. Possible? Yes – but we must do the hard things! Are you willing?
Hugh DeLong
