2 Corinthians 1:17 (DBY)

Passage

Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay?

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 1:15 And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour;

2 Corinthians 1:16 and to pass through to Macedonia by you, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be set forward by you to Judaea.

2 Corinthians 1:17 Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay?

2 Corinthians 1:18 Now God [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay.

2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he who has been preached by us among you (by me and Silvanus and Timotheus), did not become yea and nay, but yea *is* in him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "light", "having", "therefore", "lightness", "flesh", and "should". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "light", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "and to pass through to Macedonia by..." into verse 18's "Now God is faithful that our word...", so "purpose" and "light" 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 "purpose" and "light" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.