What does Paul say about the many who corrupt the word of God in 2 Corinthians 2:17?
Paul contrasts himself with the many who corrupt God's Word, describing them as hucksters who hawk an adulterated spiritual product, like wine watered down. He says he did not do that; he came in sincerity, as from God, in God's sight, speaking in Christ.
Les explains that the word "corrupt" in 2 Corinthians 2:17 is the same word used back in Isaiah chapter 1. Paul says he did not come with a product likened unto wine watered down with water, nor did he come like a huckster hawking wares not worth half of what he was charging. Paul says a lot of people do corrupt or hawk the Word of God as an adulterated spiritual product, but he did not. Instead, he came in complete sincerity, as of God, in the sight of God, and speaking in Christ. Les notes that Paul is defending his apostleship here, saying he is not like the false teachers but is bringing the absolute truth. Jude is then referenced as a good description of such false teachers.
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.