Definition: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Corinthians 4:2. It's a really important message about how we should live our lives and share our faith. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Essentially, it’s saying: “Don’t try to hide the truth or trick people with lies. Instead, let your genuine beliefs and actions shine through – so that everyone can see God’s goodness and truth in you.” Let's unpack it a little more word by word: “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty…” - This means we need to stop trying to avoid or hide things that are wrong. Dishonesty, lying, and deception – those aren’t good ways to live. It’s about being honest and truthful. Think of it like not hiding a problem; instead, you address it head-on. “…not walking in craftiness…” - “Craftiness” means cleverness or ingenuity, but here, it refers to trying to trick people with complicated explanations or clever arguments that don’t really reflect the truth. It's about being manipulative rather than genuine. “…nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” – This is a bit more direct. It means not using scripture (God's word) in a way that’s misleading, dishonest, or does harm. It’s about speaking the truth with integrity and reverence. “But by manifestation of the truth…” - This is the key part! It means showing the truth through your actions, your words, and how you live your life. It's not just about reciting facts; it’s about letting God’s goodness shine through. “…commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” - This is where it gets really powerful. "Comminging" means being seen by others – and that includes everyone. “To every man’s conscience” means everyone, including us! “In the sight of God” means we are acknowledging God's presence and goodness. So, putting it all together: It’s encouraging us to live authentically, speaking honestly and truthfully, and letting our genuine faith show through in everything we do – because that’s how we demonstrate God's love and truth to everyone around us. It’s about being a reflection of God’s goodness. In short, it’s about being the truth. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give some examples of how we can show our truth? Discuss what this verse has to do with a specific situation or challenge you're facing?