Les Feldick Bible Study

What Old Testament verse is Paul referring to when he says he did not corrupt the word in his ministry?

Paul refers to Isaiah 1:22. The passage uses the image of watering down wine to picture corrupting or adulterating the message. In his spiritual commission, Paul did not practice that kind of corruption; he did not water down the word as others were doing.

Les explains that the Old Testament verse in view is Isaiah 1:22. He notes that it is written in such simple language that even children can understand it, and that the Jews understood this imagery as part of their everyday experience. The picture is water added to wine: even an expensive French wine, when watered down, becomes something probably not even worth trying to swallow. This illustrates corrupting or adulterating what is pure. Les says this is exactly what Paul is referring to when he said he did not do this with his spiritual commission. The issue was that somebody was corrupting them, and that is exactly what he is talking about back in Galatians.

Isaiah 1:22

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

More Questions

What Old Testament verse is Paul referring to when he says he didn't do this with his spiritual commission?

Paul in 2 Corinthians is referring to Isaiah 1:22 when he says he did not do 'this' with his spiritual commission, meaning he did not water down or corrupt the word in his ministry.