John Calvin 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)

But renounce the hidden things. While Paul commends his own sincerity, he, on the other hand, indirectly rebukes the false Apostles. These individuals, by their ambition, corrupted the genuine excellence of the gospel, yet they were nevertheless eager for exclusive distinction. Therefore, Paul indirectly attributes to them the faults from which he declares himself to be exempt.

By the hidden things of disgrace, or concealments, some understand the shadows of the Mosaic law. Chrysostom understands the expression to mean the vain show by which they sought to recommend themselves. I understand it to mean all the disguises with which they adulterated the pure and natural beauty of the gospel.

For just as chaste and virtuous women, satisfied with the gracefulness of natural beauty, do not resort to artificial adornments, while harlots never think themselves sufficiently adorned unless they have corrupted nature, so Paul glories in having presented the pure gospel, while others presented one that was disguised and covered over with unseemly additions.

Because they were ashamed of the simplicity of Christ, or at least could not achieve distinction through the true excellencies of Apostles, they framed a new gospel, not unlike a profane philosophy, inflated with empty bombast, while altogether devoid of the efficacy of the Spirit. He calls spurious ornaments of this nature, by which the gospel is disfigured, the concealments of disgrace, because the nakedness of those who resort to concealments and disguises must necessarily be dishonorable and disgraceful.

As for himself, Paul says that he rejects or disdains disguises, because the more Christ’s face is revealed in his preaching, the more gloriously it shines forth. However, I do not deny that he also alludes to the veil of Moses (Exodus 34:33), which he had mentioned, but he ascribes a quite different veil to the false Apostles.

Moses covered his face because the excessive brightness of the glory of the law could not be endured by tender and bleary eyes. They, on the other hand, put on a veil as an ornament. Besides, because they would be despicable, indeed infamous, if the simplicity of the gospel shone forth, they therefore hide their shame under so many cloaks and masks.

Not walking in craftiness. There can be no doubt that the false Apostles greatly delighted in the craftiness that Paul rebukes, as if it were a distinguished excellence. We see even today that some, even among those who profess the gospel, would rather be considered subtle than sincere, and sublime rather than solid, while meanwhile all their refinement is mere childishness. But what can one expect? It delights them to have a reputation for acuteness, and on that pretext, they receive applause from the ignorant. We learn, however, how Paul regards this appearance of excellence: he declares craftiness to be unworthy of Christ’s servants.

Regarding what follows—nor handling deceitfully—I am not sure that this sufficiently brings out Paul’s meaning. For the verb δολοῦν does not so properly mean acting fraudulently, as it means what is called falsifying, as horse-jockeys are accustomed to do. In this passage, at least, it is contrasted with upright preaching, consistent with what follows.

But by manifestation of the truth. Paul claims this credit for himself: that he had proclaimed the pure doctrine of the gospel in simplicity and without disguise, and has the consciences of all as witnesses of this in the sight of God. Since he has contrasted the manifestation of the truth with the disguised doctrine of the sophists, he appeals the decision to their consciences and to the Judgment Seat of God. This is in contrast to those who exploited the mistaken judgment of people, or their corrupt affections, and were not as desirous of actually being worthy of praise as they were eager to appear so.

From this, we infer that there is a contrast here between the consciences of people and their ears. Let the servants of Christ, therefore, consider it sufficient to have demonstrated their integrity to the consciences of people in the sight of God, and pay no regard to the corrupt inclinations of people, or to popular applause.