What does the Greek say about Paul using lightness in 2 Corinthians 1:17?
The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 1:17 shows that "lightness" means fickle or frivolous speech—saying something merely to tickle ears without full meaning. Paul denies using such language. He says whatever he spoke, he meant it with full meaning, though intervening circumstances prevented his earlier plan.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 1:17 Paul asks, when he was thus minded, did he use lightness? Les says if you look it up in the Greek, Paul is really asking whether he came and talked in fickle language, whether he just said something to tickle their ears and not really mean it. The answer is no way. Whatever the apostle said, he said it with full meaning, but other things intervened. Paul did not deal with them frivolously or just say it to be saying something; other things came up that prevented it. Verse 18 confirms their word toward them was not yea and nay, and the Son of God preached by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was not fickle or superfluous. Les emphasizes Paul could put it in concrete: he meant every word from the depths of his heart, with no frivolity.
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
More Questions
Did Paul speak to the Corinthians with fickle language?
Paul denied that he came to the Corinthians speaking in fickle language or merely saying something to tickle their ears without meaning it.