“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and Godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” 2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV).
This verse hangs above my desk. It’s not on anything fancy, just a piece of paper from a notebook. I haven’t adjusted to it’s presence there (and I hope I never will!). This verse stops me every time I read it.
The apostle Paul encouraged the early church to follow after his example, as he followed after Christ (if you’d like to read our post about the importance of this example, you can find it here: Imitation). Verses like this one can be studied in a few ways. One could study the interpersonal context in which it was written, as the apostle was clearly making a statement about his own behavior in the world and towards the Corinthian believers. Today, we’ll examine it as a glimpse into the example that he set for the church (of that time and today!).
God is the source
“That we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity…” 2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV).
What is so striking about the apostle Paul’s statement is who he credits as the source of their simplicity and sincerity: God. In the original Greek, the word used in this passage for simplicity is ἁπλότης (haplotés). Studying this word can give us insight into this passage of scripture.
Definition of ἁπλότης (haplotés): singleness, simplicity (Strong’s Greek: 572. Ἁπλότης (Haplotés) – Singleness, Hence Simplicity).1 HELPS Word Studies states that the word haplotés comes from the words “not” and “fold.” According to their explanation, within this word we find the concept of something that is not folded or complex- it is without folds, simple (HELPS Word Studies: 572 haplótēs.” HELPS word studies. Discovery Bible).2
The ESV translates it as “simplicity.” The translation certainly captures the sentiment behind his words: the sincere way they acted in the world and toward the church had it’s origin point in God. Going back to the idea of not being “folded,” it makes sense why it was with “singleness” that they dealt with them! There wasn’t some multifaceted hidden (folded) agenda because God’s behavior towards us is also “unfolded” and clear in the person of Jesus Christ.
Not from the world
“…not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” 2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV).
Paul states that they did not behave by earthly wisdom, but rather the grace of God. At first, it is somewhat surprising that grace is used here. Why not go with the opposite of earthly wisdom, Godly wisdom? Why did Paul choose to focus on the grace of God? And how can the grace of God drive behavior? It’s easy to understand how worldly wisdom can influence how someone walks in the world- we see this example every single day in the culture around us. From Hollywood, to politics, to our own social circles, behaviors are influenced by worldly wisdom. “Do this, not that,” according to the templates of the world. It’s easy to see worldly wisdom. It’s easy to see how wisdom of the world drives behavior. But how does the grace of God drive behavior?
It’s about a new citizenship
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV).
The grace of the gospel is so simple (unfolded) and clear- and yet so incredibly powerful in its application and life changing power! Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord touches every single aspect of our lives: the attitudes of our hearts, the contents of our thoughts, where our loyalties are placed, and how we behave toward others. It’s HIS Kingdom we’ve been transferred to and our citizenship in Heaven affects how we live out our lives in the world. In the case of the apostle Paul and those brothers with him, it was in response to the grace they received (through the very gospel that they were sharing) that they behaved as they did. When our actions are in response to grace of God and our new citizenship, they will no longer be in response to worldly wisdom.
“…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…” Ephesians 5:8
As a child of the light and because of the good news of the gospel, our actions in the world should be the direct result of and all for the cause of God’s grace.
My prayer for us today is that our behavior in the world would reflect our citizenship in Heaven and the grace we’ve experienced through the gospel of our salvation.
Join us in the next post for part II!
Questions:
1. What is the connection between citizenship and behavior?
2. In what ways does worldly wisdom show itself as “folded?”
Footnotes:
1. Strong’s Greek: 572. ἁπλότης (haplotés) — singleness, hence simplicity. (Dec, 06,2023). https://biblehub.com/greek/572.htm
2. HELPS Word Studies: 572 haplótēs.” HELPS word studies. Discovery Bible, Dec, 06, 2023. https://biblehub.com/greek/572.htm
