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2Co 2:17. Οἱ πολλοὶ, the many) so 2Co 11:18. הָרַבִּים, 1Ki 18:25. The article has force; the many, most men, ἄοσμοι, void of savour: comp. Php 2:21.-καπηλεύοντες [cauponantes]) corrupting [adulterating for gain]; men who do not make it their aim to show forth as much virtue [as much of the power of the Gospel] as possible, but to make gain by it. These men speak of Christ, but not as “from [of] God,” and “in the sight of God.” κάπηλοι, [caupones], vintners, select their merchandise from different quarters; they adulterate it; they manage it with a view to profit. The apostles deal otherwise with the word of God; for they speak as of God, and as of sincerity, and so as to approve themselves unto God. δολοῦντες, adulterating, 2Co 4:2 [Engl. Vers., handling deceitfully], is a synonymous expression, and also ἐμπορεύεσθαι, to make merchandise of, 2Pe 2:3.-ἐξ εἰλικρινείας, of sincerity) We give our whole attention to [our whole aim is] the word of God by itself.-ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ, but as of) a gradation [ascending climax], but being repeated; as is explanatory.[14]-κατενώπιον-ΛΑΛΟῦΜΕΝ, in the sight of God-we speak) So decidedly, ch. 2Co 12:19. We always think, that God, from [sent by] whom we speak, is present to the speakers; we do not care for men.-ἐν, in) Our discourse, which we hold in Christ, is given and directed from above.-λαλοῦμεν, we speak) We use the tongue; the power belongs to God.
[14] The Germ. Ver., however, omits both the particle ὡς before ἐξ εἰλικρινείας and the particle ἀλλʼ before ὡς ἐχ Θεοῦ, although the omission has by no means been approved of by the margins of both Ed.-E. B.
ABCD (Λ) read the ὡς after ἀλλ’ (or ἀλλὰ in B), in the first ἀλλʼ ὡς: Gfg Vulg. Memph. Iren. omit it. In the second ἀλλʼ ὡς, ABCD (Λ) support the ἀλλʼ. Gfg Vulg. (Fuld.), later Syr. Iren. omit it.-ED.