Act 20:20, 27, 2Cor 2:17, 4:2 | JFB | STEP | 20. kept back —timidly withheld from fear of consequences. nothing that was profitable —edification directing all. have taught you publicly, and from house to house —Did an apostle, whose functions were of so wide a range, not feel satisfied without private as well as public ministrations? How then must pastors feel? [BENGEL ].

Acts 20:20

20. kept back—timidly withheld from fear of consequences.

nothing that was profitable—edification directing all.

have taught you publicly, and from house to house—Did an apostle, whose functions were of so wide a range, not feel satisfied without private as well as public ministrations? How then must pastors feel? [BENGEL].

Acts 20:27

27. For I have not shunned to declare . . . all the counsel of God—God's way of salvation, and His kingdom of souls saved by His Son Jesus Christ. See Lu 7:30.

2 Corinthians 2:17

17. not as many— (2Co 11:18; Php 2:21). Rather, "the many," namely, the false teachers of whom he treats (tenth through twelfth chapters, especially 2Co 11:13; 1Th 2:3).

which corrupt—Greek, "adulterating, as hucksters do wine for gain" (2Co 4:2; Isa 1:22; 2Pe 2:3, "Make merchandise of you").

as of sincerity . . . as of God—as one speaking from (out of) sincerity, as from (that is, by the command of, and so in dependence on) God.

in Christ's—as united to Him in living membership, and doing His work (compare 2Co 12:19). The whole Gospel must be delivered such as it is, without concession to men's corruptions, and without selfish aims, if it is to be blessed with success (Ac 20:27).

2 Corinthians 4:2

2. renounced—literally, "bid farewell to."

of dishonesty—rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Ro 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (2Co 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (2Co 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare 2Co 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (2Co 2:17; 3:1; 11:13-15).

handling . . . deceitfully—so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word of God" (2Co 2:17; compare 1Th 2:3, 4).

commending—recommending ourselves: recurring to 2Co 3:1.

to—to the verdict of.

every man's conscience— (2Co 5:11). Not to men's carnal judgment, as those alluded to (2Co 3:1).

in the sight of God— (2Co 2:17; Ga 1:10).