Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 1:17

"When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay?" — 2 Corinthians 1:17 (ASV)

When I therefore was thus minded. When I formed this purpose, when I willed this, and expressed this intention.

Did I use lightness? The word elafria (from elafrov) properly means lightness in weight. Here it is used in reference to the mind, in a sense similar to our word levity, denoting lightness of temper or conduct: inconstancy, changeableness, or fickleness.

This charge had probably been made that he had made the promise without any due consideration, or without any real purpose of performing it, or that he had made it in a trifling and thoughtless manner. By the interrogative form here, he sharply denies that it was a purpose formed in a light and trifling manner.

Do I purpose according to the flesh? In such a manner as may suit my own convenience and carnal interest. Do I form plans adapted only to promote my own ease and gratification, and to be abandoned when they are attended with inconvenience?

The phrase "according to the flesh" here seems to mean "in such a way as to promote my own ease and gratification, in a manner such as the men of the world form, such as would be formed under the influence of earthly passions and desires, and to be forsaken when those plans would interfere with such gratifications."

Paul positively denies that he formed such plans. And should they not have known enough of his way of life to be assured that this was not the nature of the schemes he had devised? Probably no one ever lived who formed his plans of life less for the gratification of the flesh than Paul.

That with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay! There has been a great variety in the interpretation of this passage. See Bloomfield, Crit. Dig. in loco. The meaning seems to be, "That there should be such inconstancy and uncertainty in my counsels and actions that no one could depend on me or know what to expect from me."

Bloomfield supposes that the phrase is a proverbial one and denotes a headstrong, self-willed spirit, which will either do things or not do them as he pleases, without giving any reasons.

He supposes that the repetition of the words "yea" and "nay" is designed to denote positiveness of assertion—such positiveness as is commonly shown by such persons, as in the phrases, "what I have written I have written," "what I have done I have done."

It seems more probable, however, that the phrase is designed to denote the ready compliance which an inconstant and unsettled man is accustomed to make with the wishes of others: his expressing a ready assent to what they propose, falling in with their views, readily making promises, and instantly, through some whim, caprice, or wish of others, saying "yea, nay" to the same thing.

This means changing his mind and altering his purpose without any good reason, or not in accordance with any fixed principle or settled rule of action. Paul says that this was not his character. He did not affirm a thing at one time and deny it at another; he did not promise to do a thing one moment and refuse to do it the next.

Regarding certain phrases: "thus minded" is akin to "thus purposed." For "according to the flesh," see 2 Corinthians 10:2. The term "flesh" may also be rendered "after the manner of men."