Note 2 at 2 Cor. 4:2: Paul is revealing his tandard of integrity. There was no deceit, no dishonesty on his part. He was totally transparent in his ministry, depending on the Holy Spirit to produce the right results instead of his own craftiness.

In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul linked ceasing from lying with knowing who you are in Christ and being renewed in knowledge. A person who is trusting in Christ cannot trust in lies at the same time. A dishonest person is a desperate person who is operating in fear instead of faith. Usually this fear is because the individual does not have a clear conscience and he must use deceit to cover his deeds.

Paul showed his great faith in the Lord, and his absolute security in Christ, by refusing to use any type of manipulation. It is a sign of great faith and maturity in the Lord when a minister lets the Holy Spirit be the one who does the convicting.

Note 3 at 2 Cor. 4:2: Paul proclaims that his conscience is clear as he walks before men and in the sight of God. He has never adulterated the gospel, nor has he used underhanded means to deceive. Paul's method of ministry is open and righteous because he serves others as one walking in the presence of God. On the contrary, false teachers conceal their hidden lives of dishonesty and shame. Their methods of ministry use trickery and craftiness to ensnare their unsuspecting victims by adulterating the Word of God. This seems to be the meaning of the words and phrases from the Greek that Paul is using in this verse.

Paul mentions three things in this verse that characterize false prophets and teachers. First, they are dishonest. The Greek word translated "dishonesty" implies hidden, concealed and secret things that bring shame or disgrace.

Secondly, false ministers use craftiness (Eph. 4:14). Craftiness carries the idea of those that are underhanded, deceptive, shrewd and cunning. The Greek word is used to describe the serpent's craftiness in beguiling Eve (2 Cor. 11:3).

Thirdly, they handle God's Word deceitfully. This would involve those that distort, tamper with, adulterate, or falsify God's Word.

False prophets and teachers are deceived because of their lack of love for the truth (2 Th. 2:10-12; Ezek. 14:7-9). They devour souls, oppress and defraud (Ezek. 22:25), they may preach about Christ out of contention, a factious spirit or for their own ends, but not sincerely (Phil. 1:16). They will appear to be very religious and may come "as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-14).

They may come undetected in sheep's clothing (Mt. 7:15) and prey upon God's flock instead of feeding them (Ezek. 34:2). But they will quickly forsake the sheep in times of trouble (Jn. 10:12). They will teach things for filthy lucre's sake (Ti. 1:11) and be covetous and greedy for gain (Mic. 3:11). They claim to be commissioned and sent by God (Jer. 23:21), but their lies cause God's people to err (Jer. 23:32; Rev. 2:20).

These false teachers are faithless men (Zeph. 3:4), and many times given to immorality (Jer. 23:11, 14; 2 Pet. 2:14). "Many shall follow their pernicious ways" (2 Pet. 2:2) and come to great harm. Because of these false prophets' greed they will tell you anything to get ahold of your money (2 Pet. 2:3 [LB]). They have forsaken the right way and are gone astray (2 Pet. 2:15). They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him (Ti. 1:16). They turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, saying, "We can do just as we like" (Jude 4 [LB]).