Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:2

"but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man`s conscience in the sight of God." — 2 Corinthians 4:2 (ASV)

To the thought of refusing to grow disheartened Paul will return presently (v.16). Now he expands his brief self-defense of 2:17. Evidently he had been accused of deceitful behavior (cf. 7:2; 12:16) and of willfully adulterating the Gospel (perhaps by not insisting on Gentile compliance with the Mosaic law). These charges he emphatically rejects. The openness marking the new covenant had always been reflected in his conduct. He had never been secretive or deceptive, nor had he ever dishonestly manipulated the message of God entrusted to him.

In any self-defense, self-commendation must play some part. But Paul’s particular self-commendation was distinctive. He commended himself, not by self-vindication at every point, but simply by openly declaring the truth of the Gospel. He appealed not to a partisan spirit or the prejudices of other people but “to every man’s conscience [GK 5287].” In his self-commendation, God was an onlooker.