Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 1:18

What does 2 Corinthians 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 1:18 means

Paul denies duplicity: as God is faithful, his word to them is not a mix of yes and no. He anchors his credibility in God’s unchanging character. This does not mean he never adapts plans; it means his message and motives are not contradictory. The church should measure his trustworthiness by the alignment of his speech with the faithful God he serves. An oath-like appeal—“as God is faithful”—underscores seriousness. The apostle’s integrity reflects the gospel he proclaims. When he speaks, it is with the intention to keep faith, because he serves the God whose promises do not waver. His change of travel plans did not betray a change in doctrine or devotion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As God is true, our word to you is not Yes and No.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and God <FI>is<Fi> faithful, that our word unto you became not Yes and No,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But God is faithful: for our preaching which was to you, was not, It is, and It is not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

NowGod [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay.

Context

Paul begins his formal reply to the charge of fickleness. He invokes God’s faithfulness as the standard and support for his reliability. The next verse will specify that Jesus Christ, preached among them, embodies this divine consistency—he is not “yes and no,” but the resounding “yes” to God’s purposes. By pointing to Christ, Paul shows that his ministry’s credibility stands or falls with the gospel’s truth, not with an unalterable itinerary.

v.17When 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?

v.18This passage

v.19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

  • Revelation 3:7

    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:

  • 2 Corinthians 11:31

    The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not.

  • John 7:28

    Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

  • Revelation 3:14

    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

  • 2 Corinthians 1:23

    But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.

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