2 Corinthians 4:2

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, etc..] Or “shame”; this is a further account of the conduct of the first ministers of the Gospel, and very worthy of our imitation, and in which the apostle strikes at the different manner of behaviour in the false apostles: this may respect both doctrine and practice; they abhorred and rejected everything that was scandalous and reproachful to the Gospel of Christ; in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, they had their conversation in the world; they were open and above board, both in principle and practice; the same men in public, as in private; they used no art to cover their doctrines, or…”

“renounced--literally, "bid farewell to." of dishonesty--rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Rom 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (Co2 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (Co2 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare Co2 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (Co2 2:17; Co2 3:1; Co2 11:13-15). handling . . . deceitfully--so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word of God" (Co2 2:17; compare Th1 2:3-4). commending--recommending ourselves: recurring to Co2 3:1. to--to the verdict of. every man's conscience-- (Co2 5:11). Not to men's carnal judgment, as those alluded to (Co2 3:1). in the sight of…”

“But have renounced - (ἀπειπάμεθα apeipametha from ἀπὸ apo and εἶπον eipon). The word means properly to speak out or off; to refuse or deny; to interdict or forbid. Here it means, to renounce, or disown; to spurn, or scorn with aversion. It occurs no where else in the New Testament; and the sense here is, that the apostles had such a view of the truth of religion, and the glory of the Christian scheme 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, as to lead them to discard everything that was disguised, and artful, and crafty; everything like deceit and fraud. The religions of the pagan were made up mainly of trick, and were supported by deception practiced on the ignorant, and on the mass of people. Paul…”

“But have renounced - Set at open defiance. The hidden things of shame - All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of. Not walking in craftiness - Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers. 2 Corinthians 4:3”

“4:2 Paul’s ministry was marked by honesty, unlike some other preachers (2:17).”

“renounced: Co1 4:5 dishonesty: or, shame, Rom 1:16, Rom 6:21; Eph 5:12 not: Co2 1:12, Co2 2:17, Co2 11:3, Co2 11:6, Co2 11:13-15; Eph 4:14; Th1 2:3-5 by: Co2 5:11, Co2 6:4-7, Co2 7:14 2 Corinthians 4:3”