Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Apostle Paul makes a very very bold declaration in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2. Having received mercy, he says, “we faint not.” His endurance is not fueled by strategy or self-interest, but by grace, and because this ministry that is born of mercy, it must also be carried out with integrity. There is no room for deception where truth has been entrusted.
Apostle Paul immediately draws a line, one that still matters deeply today and always will. He renounces hidden dishonesty, rejects craftiness, and refuses to handle the Word of God deceitfully. And instead, he chooses a simpler, harder path: The open manifestation of truth, lived before God and the conscience of men.
Mercy Produces Endurance, Not Manipulation
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Paul’s perseverance is rooted in mercy received, and not success achieved. When ministry becomes driven by outcomes, numbers, applause, and influence, temptation creeps in to manipulate rather than to serve, which always should be the goal, service. But when ministry flows from mercy, endurance replaces ambition.
Those who know and understand that they have been shown mercy do not need to force results; they trust God with the outcome because they are grateful for the calling itself.
Renouncing the Hidden Things of Dishonesty
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Apostle Paul did not just avoid dishonesty; he renounced it, and that word implies intentional rejection. Hidden motives, subtle deception, and double standards have no place in genuine service to God.
This kind of honesty begins internally, before it is visible to others, it is first practiced in the heart. Integrity is not just about what we refuse to do publicly; it is about what we refuse to hide privately.
The Truth Commends Itself
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Rather than persuading through cleverness, Apostle Paul relies on the truth to commend itself. He does not manipulate emotions or twist Scripture to gain approval. He allows the truth; the truth clearly presented, and the truth to speak directly to the conscience.
And this approach requires courage because the truth does not always attract applause, but it most certainly builds trust, and over time, lives are not just influenced; they are transformed.
Walking in God’s Sight
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Apostle Paul’s ultimate accountability is not to people, but to God. But he understands that walking openly before God naturally leads to credibility before men. When there is nothing to conceal, there is obviously nothing to fear.
A life lived in God’s sight produces clarity, consistency, and quiet authority; it does not need performance or polish, it simply just needs faithfulness.
Read Also: Standing For The Truth Regardless Of How You Feel
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Read Also: The Cost of Truth: Choosing Duty Over Approval
Conclusion
The ministry without manipulation is not weak; it is strong. It draws its power from mercy, its direction from truth, and its endurance from integrity. And in our world that often values cleverness over conscience, Paul’s words remind us that truth needs no disguise.
When truth is lived openly before God, it finds its way to the hearts of people, and when ministry is carried by mercy rather than methods, it does not faint.
