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Selected Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:18 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
2Co 1:18	King James	But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
He adds this lest they might think his DOCTRINE was changeable like his purposes (the change in which he admitted in Co2 1:17, while denying that it was due to "lightness," and at the same time implying that not to have changed, where there was good reason, would have been to imitate the fleshly-minded who at all costs obstinately hold to their purpose). true--Greek, "faithful" (Co1 1:9). our word--the doctrine we preach. was not--The oldest manuscripts read "is not." yea and nay--that is, inconsistent with itself.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

He adds this lest they might think his DOCTRINE was changeable like his purposes (the change in which he admitted in Co2 1:17, while denying that it was due to "lightness," and at the same time implying that not to have changed, where there was good reason, would have been to imitate the fleshly-minded who at all costs obstinately hold to their purpose).

true--Greek, "faithful" (Co1 1:9).

our word--the doctrine we preach.

was not--The oldest manuscripts read "is not."

yea and nay--that is, inconsistent with itself.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But as God is true - Tyndale renders this in accordance more literally with the Greek, "God is faithful; for our preaching unto you was not yea and nay." The phrase seems to have the form of an oath, or to be a solemn appeal to God as a Witness, and to be equivalent to the expression "the Lord liveth," or "as the Lord liveth." The idea is," God is faithful and true. He never deceives; never promises that which he does not perform. So true is it that I am not fickle and changing in my purposes." This idea of the faithfulness of God is the argument which Paul urges why he felt himself bound to be faithful also. That faithful God he regarded as a witness, and to that God he could appeal on the occasion. Our word - Margin, "preaching" (ὁ λόγος ho logos. This may refer either to his preaching, to his promises of visiting them, or his declarations to them in general on any subject. The particular subject under discussion was the promise which he had made to visit them. But he here seems to make his affirmation general, and to say universally of his promises, and his teaching, and of all his communications to them, whether orally or in writing, that they were not characterized by inconstancy and changeableness. It was not his character to be fickle, unsettled, and vacillating.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But as God is true - Tyndale renders this in accordance more literally with the Greek, "God is faithful; for our preaching unto you was not yea and nay." The phrase seems to have the form of an oath, or to be a solemn appeal to God as a Witness, and to be equivalent to the expression "the Lord liveth," or "as the Lord liveth." The idea is," God is faithful and true. He never deceives; never promises that which he does not perform. So true is it that I am not fickle and changing in my purposes." This idea of the faithfulness of God is the argument which Paul urges why he felt himself bound to be faithful also. That faithful God he regarded as a witness, and to that God he could appeal on the occasion.

Our word - Margin, "preaching" (ὁ λόγος ho logos. This may refer either to his preaching, to his promises of visiting them, or his declarations to them in general on any subject. The particular subject under discussion was the promise which he had made to visit them. But he here seems to make his affirmation general, and to say universally of his promises, and his teaching, and of all his communications to them, whether orally or in writing, that they were not characterized by inconstancy and changeableness. It was not his character to be fickle, unsettled, and vacillating.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
As God is true (πιστὸς ὁ Θεὸς) Not to be taken as a formula of swearing. He means that God will answer for him against the charge of fickleness by the power and blessing (benefit) which will attend his presence. Hence the meaning is: faithful is God (in this) that our speech, etc.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

As God is true (πιστὸς ὁ Θεὸς)

Not to be taken as a formula of swearing. He means that God will answer for him against the charge of fickleness by the power and blessing (benefit) which will attend his presence. Hence the meaning is: faithful is God (in this) that our speech, etc.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Our word to you - The whole tenor of our doctrine. Hath not been yea and nay - Wavering and uncertain.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Our word to you - The whole tenor of our doctrine. Hath not been yea and nay - Wavering and uncertain.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But as God is true - Setting the God of truth before my eyes, I could not act in this way: and as sure as he is true, so surely were my purposes sincere; and it was only my uncertainty about your state that induced me to postpone my visit. See Co2 1:23.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

But as God is true - Setting the God of truth before my eyes, I could not act in this way: and as sure as he is true, so surely were my purposes sincere; and it was only my uncertainty about your state that induced me to postpone my visit. See Co2 1:23.

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