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

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian believers to defend his apostolic integrity, positioned between a request for their prayers (1:11) and a clarification of his letter’s clarity (1:13).

The words — καὰχησις (kauchēsis) means boasting, and μαρτύριον (marturion) means testimony. The text states that Paul’s boast is the conscience’s testimony regarding his conduct.

The thread — This pattern of Spirit-guided speech and conduct over human wisdom appears in 1 Corinthians 2:13, the rebuke of commercializing the message in 2 Corinthians 2:17, and the instruction to demonstrate wisdom through humble deeds in James 3:13.

Why it lands — The verse requires readers to measure their motives and methods against God’s grace rather than human intellect, demanding that daily conduct reflect divine holiness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

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.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 2:13 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.
2 Corinthians 2:17 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.
James 3:13 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.
1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
Job 23:10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Acts 23:1 Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Acts 24:16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
1 Corinthians 15:10 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 4:2 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 sight of God.