Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 4:2

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty , not walking in craftiness , not handling the word of God deceitfully , but by manifestation of the truth, commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God .

Though we be exposed to many sorrows and sufferings, it is not for any dishonest or unwarrantable behaviour amongst men; nay, we have not only declined openly dishonest actions, but any secret or hidden dishonest behaviour. Possibly he reflecteth upon those, whether Teachers, or others in this Church, who, though they behaved themselves very speciously in their more external conversation, yet it was a shame to speak what things were done of them in secret. We (saith the Apostle) have renounced all secret dishonest, shameful actions.

It hath not been our design to carry our selves craftily, to cheat people with a fair outside and external demeanour.

Nor in our Ministry have we cheated and deceived people, instead of instructing them in the Truth; crying, Peace, Peace, when God hath said, there is no peace to the wicked, and tempering our discourses to all mens humors, not speaking right things, but smooth things.

Our business, in the course of our Ministry, hath been to commend our selves to every mans Conscience, as in the sight of God, by manifesting to them the Truth of God▪

Marginal references: Rom. 1.16.; Gr. shame.; Chap. 2.17. 1 Thess. 2.3, 5.; Chap. 5.11.; Chap. 6.4.