Paul defends his apostleship by openly contrasting himself with those who corrupt God's Word.
In 2 Corinthians 2:17 he declares that unlike the many who peddle an adulterated message, he speaks “as of sincerity, as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.” Les Feldick explains that the Greek word for corrupt pictures a huckster hawking diluted or cheap goods — exactly what Paul says he is not.
2 Corinthians 2:17 — This is the verse in question where Paul's self-defense is placed against those who corrupt the word of God.
In 2 Corinthians 2:17 Paul directly answers his critics: “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.” He draws a sharp contrast between himself and “many” who corrupt God's word. Instead of adulterating the message, Paul says he speaks from sincerity, from God, and in the sight of God, and that his speaking is “in Christ.” The same contrast appears in 2 Corinthians 4:2: “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” Paul's defense is built on the claim that he does not manipulate or water down the Word; he brings the truth openly.
Les Feldick explains that the English word “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17 hides a strong Greek picture. From the Septuagint it meant someone who was a huckster, hawking his wares, and from Isaiah 1:22 it meant someone selling or hawking an adulterated product — like wine mixed with water. Paul is saying, “I'm not like those kind of people.” According to Les, Paul was not watering down his message to tickle people's ears or simply make them feel good; that would have been adulteration and corruption. He was coming with the real thing. Les also stresses that throughout Paul's letters Paul has to defend his apostleship. In Corinth especially, the Jewish element questioned him: “Who do you think you are? You're just an imposter. You didn't walk with Jesus of Nazareth.” Paul constantly responds that he is an apostle and that he has received revelations. One of his favorite proofs is the Corinthians themselves: their salvation out of abject paganism through his preaching is proof enough that he is an apostle.
In Les Feldick's teaching, the word translated “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17 came from the Septuagint with the sense of a huckster or one who hawks his wares. From Isaiah 1:22 it pictured an adulterated product. Isaiah 1:22 says, “Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.” Les applies this directly to Paul's defense: he was not a street salesman hawking cheap, adulterated goods. He was not watering down his message. He came with the real thing.
Les says even in his day people accused Paul of heresy and of being an imposter because he had not walked with the Lord Jesus those three years like Peter, James, and John did. The Jewish element in Corinth asked, “Who do you think you are?” So Paul had to come back constantly and say, “But I AM an apostle. I AM the one who has received all these revelations.” He also had to establish his authority because believers in this age of grace are to understand that Paul is the one through whom God is speaking to the whole human race.
Les says one of Paul's favorite statements is “you Corinthians are the proof of my apostleship.” They were saved out of abject paganism as a result of his preaching, and that was proof enough that he was an apostle. So Paul does not simply claim authority; he points to the transformed lives of the believers themselves.
The Greek Word Behind “Corrupt”
Les explains that the Greek word translated “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17 means a huckster hawking an adulterated product, like wine diluted with water. Paul uses this word to say he is not that kind of teacher.
Not Watering Down the Message
Les says Paul was not watering down his message to tickle ears; that would be adulteration and corruption. Paul was coming with the real thing.
Defending Apostleship in Corinth
Les points out that Paul has to defend his apostleship to carnal believers in Corinth, who were coming out of a city of idolatry and immorality.
Accused of Being an Imposter
Les says people accused Paul of heresy and of being an imposter because he had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John. Paul constantly reasserts, “I AM an apostle.”
Divisions at Corinth
Les notes that the Corinthian church was divided over apostles—some followed Paul, some Apollos, some Peter, some Christ—and Paul had to defend his apostleship in that context.
Why Most People Miss Who Jesus Really Is — Colossians 1:15 Explained
All right, let's come back, if you will, to 2 Corinthians again, chapter 4, and now verse 5. For we preach not ourselves. Now what's Paul doing? Well, same old thing. He's defending his apostleship. He said, I'm not coming in here with something just to gain personal support. I'm not coming in here for some kind of personal fame. What I'm doing is only because I am the servant.
Establishing Divine Authority
Les says Paul had to establish that, for believers in the age of grace, he is the authority through whom God is speaking to the whole human race.
The Corinthians as Proof
Les explains that Paul used the Corinthians themselves as proof of his apostleship: they were saved out of abject paganism as a result of his preaching.
2 Corinthians 2:17: 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.
The exact verse Paul uses to answer those who question his ministry.
2 Corinthians 4:2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Paul reinforces his defense by saying he does not handle the word of God deceitfully.
Isaiah 1:22: Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
This verse shows the Old Testament picture of an adulterated product—wine mixed with water—that Les applies to Paul's word choice.
Paul's main point is that he is not like the many who corrupt the word of God. He speaks with sincerity, as from God, in the sight of God, and in Christ. Les Feldick says this means Paul is not watering down his message or hawking cheap goods.
Les says Paul was constantly accused of heresy and of being an imposter because he had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John did. That is why Paul repeatedly says he is an apostle and that he has received God's revelations.
According to Les, Paul pointed to the Corinthians themselves. They had been saved out of abject paganism through his preaching, and that was proof enough that he was an apostle.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Said "We Are Not Ignorant of Satan's Devices" — 2 Corinthians 2:11