2 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 Corinthians 4:2 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 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "renounced", "hidden", "things", "dishonesty", "walking", "craftiness", "handling", and "word". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "renounced" and "hidden", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 1's "Therefore seeing we have this ministry as..." into verse 3's "But if our gospel be hid it...", so "renounced" and "hidden" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "renounced" and "hidden" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.