2 Corinthians 1:12 “For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted…”

2 Corinthians 1:12

For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

World English Bible

For our boasting 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 toward you.

American Standard Version

For our glorying 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

For our reioycing is this, the testimonie of our conscience, that in simplicitie and godly purenesse, and not in fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde, and most of all to you wardes.

Darby Translation

For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

Young's Literal Translation

For our glorying is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we did conduct ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you;

Bible in Basic English

For our glory is in this, in the knowledge which we have that our way of life in the world, and most of all in relation to you, has been holy and true in the eyes of God; not in the wisdom of the flesh, but in the grace of God.

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Cross references

“our rejoicing”

Job 13:15 Job 23:10–12 Acts 24:16 Hebrews 13:18 1 Peter 3:21 Job 31:1–40

Job 13:15 · BSB

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

Job 23:10–12 · BSB

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Acts 24:16 · BSB

In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

Hebrews 13:18 · BSB

Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

1 Peter 3:21 · BSB

And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Job 31:1–40 · BSB

“I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?

“simplicity”

2 Corinthians 11:3 Romans 16:18 Romans 16:19

2 Corinthians 11:3 · BSB

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Romans 16:18 · BSB

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Romans 16:19 · BSB

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

“godly”

2 Corinthians 2:17 2 Corinthians 8:8 1 Corinthians 5:8 Ephesians 6:14 Philippians 1:10 Joshua 24:14

2 Corinthians 2:17 · BSB

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

2 Corinthians 8:8 · BSB

I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.

1 Corinthians 5:8 · BSB

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

Ephesians 6:14 · BSB

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

Philippians 1:10 · BSB

so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Joshua 24:14 · BSB

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

“not”

1 Corinthians 2:13 James 3:13–18 2 Corinthians 4:2 2 Corinthians 12:15–19 1 Corinthians 15:10 2 Corinthians 1:17

1 Corinthians 2:13 · BSB

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

James 3:13–18 · BSB

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

2 Corinthians 4:2 · BSB

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the…

2 Corinthians 12:15–19 · BSB

And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

1 Corinthians 15:10 · BSB

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

2 Corinthians 1:17 · BSB

When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”?

Also

1 Thessalonians 2:10 Acts 23:1

1 Thessalonians 2:10 · BSB

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

Acts 23:1 · BSB

Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.

13For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely,

Read 2 Corinthians 1