2 Corinthians 1:12 (ASV)

Passage

For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 1:10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;

2 Corinthians 1:11 ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Corinthians 1:13 For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end:

2 Corinthians 1:14 as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "grace", "glorifying", "testimony", "conscience", "holiness", "sincerity", and "fleshly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "world" and "grace", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "ye also helping together on our behalf..." into verse 13's "For we write no other things unto...", so "world" and "grace" 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 "world" and "grace" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.