Sometimes specific words in the Bible need special emphasis. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul says:

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

II Corinthians 1:12, ESV

He had written to the Corinthians about visiting them, but had to change his plans due to unforeseen circumstances. Opponents jumped on the opportunity and accused Paul of being duplicitous – saying one thing, but doing another. In the verse above, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he has always acted with “simplicity and godly sincerity” toward them throughout their shared time together. Let’s explore these two terms and their immense value in the Christian life.

• Simplicity: This word in Greek (haplotés) implies singleness without folds – like a cloth that has been opened up. There are no complexities or compounding factors. Jesus tells us, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37, ESV) A person who lives out this quality will say what they mean without hidden implications or sarcasm. Their words may lack wit and nuance (marks of “worldly wisdom” to Paul) but their honesty is trusted by others.
• Sincerity: This word in Greek (eilikrineia) means literally “judged by sunlight”. The term comes from the marketplace where blemishes in a product might be hidden in the darkness of a shop, but are revealed in full light. Paul is suggesting that his words, actions, and motives can stand the scrutiny of the full light of day. His opponents may be peddling God’s Word (II Corinthians 2:17) but Paul is operating a ministry that can be put to the test.

The world would change if Christians were known by these qualities. Imagine if the world saw us as a group of people who were as simple as an open cloth. They might disagree with us, but they would know what we believed because our words were always trustworthy. Imagine if we came across as a people who did not fear scrutiny but encouraged it as a way of showing our pure motives.

Most people you know look at the church with suspicion. Barely one in three Americans has confidence in the church.* This comes, of course, from decades of abuse, denial, and cover-up in the Catholic church and other major denominations. If the church wants to rebuild her credibility in the world, it begins with a conscious move toward the two virtues Paul mentions above. From our leaders to our teachers to our newest members in the pew, we must be a people of simplicity and godly sincerity. Let’s regain a right to be heard by being a people that can be trusted.