Lexical Summary doloó: To deceive, to ensnare, to corrupt Original Word: δολοό Strong's Exhaustive Concordance handle deceitfully. From dolos; to ensnare, i.e. (figuratively) adulterate -- handle deceitfully. see GREEK dolos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1389 dolóō (from 1388 /dólos, "bait") – properly, to lure (or snare) by using bait – holding out the worm and concealing the hook!; to handle deceitfully; "primarily, to ensnare; then to corrupt – used of adulterating gold, wine, etc." (WS, 818). See 1388 (dolos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dolos Definition to ensnare, fig. to adulterate NASB Translation adulterating (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1389: δολόωδολόω, δόλῳ; (δόλος; 1. to ensnare: Hesiod, Herodotus and succeeding writers. 2. to corrupt, (βδελλιον and λίβανον, Dioscor. 1, 80. 81); τόν οἶνον, Lucian, Hermot. 59) τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, divine truth by mingling with it wrong notions, 2 Corinthians 4:2. (Cf. Trench, § 62, and see καπηλεύω.) Strong’s Greek 1389 designates the active practice of adulterating, corrupting, or falsifying something so that it deceives those who receive it. While the cognate noun (Greek 1388) describes “deceit” in principle, the verb highlights the intentional process of mixing truth with misleading additives. The single New Testament occurrence, 2 Corinthians 4:2, uses the term participially—“not… handling the word of God deceitfully”—and thereby frames the entire apostolic discussion of ministry integrity. Context in 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians was written after a painful visit and stern letter from Paul to the church at Corinth. False apostles had raised doubts about Paul’s credibility, prompting him to defend his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Paul describes the character of genuine gospel service: • Renunciation of “the hidden things of shame.” Paul contrasts this honest proclamation with those who manipulate the message for prestige or gain. His appeal is “by manifestation of the truth,” commending himself “to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (4:2). The term 1389 therefore functions as the negative counterpart to transparent gospel ministry. Background Imagery of Adulteration In the ancient marketplace, less-than-scrupulous merchants diluted wine, shaved coins, or blended inferior metals into weapons, practices universally despised for cheating purchasers. The verb 1389 evokes these commercial scandals, picturing the Word of God as a priceless commodity that must never be tampered with. Paul’s Corinthian readers, accustomed to harbor masters and wine-shops, would immediately grasp the moral outrage of an adulterated gospel. Contrast with Apostolic Integrity Paul’s ministry model consistently opposes spiritual adulteration: • 2 Corinthians 2:17 – “For we are not like so many, peddling the word of God. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.” The single use of 1389 therefore condenses a robust theology of ministerial purity: the message must remain unalloyed, and the messenger must remain accountable to God and to the consciences of hearers. Implications for Preaching and Teaching Today 1. Faithful ministers resist any inclination to soften difficult truths, exaggerate illustrations, or suppress portions of Scripture for personal advantage. Guarding Against Contemporary Forms of Spiritual Adulteration • Prosperity distortions that present God as a means to material gain. Believers counter these threats by committing to serious study (2 Timothy 2:15), Berean-style examination (Acts 17:11), and corporate accountability (Ephesians 4:11-16). Personal Examination and Corporate Witness Paul’s negative participle invites every Christian to self-scrutiny: Are my motives pure? Is my representation of God’s Word unmixed? The endorsement Paul seeks—“every man’s conscience”—begins in the private life before it reaches the public pulpit. When the church collectively refuses to “handle the word of God deceitfully,” it shines “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6), enabling a transparent witness that no accusation can tarnish. |
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