In a message Wednesday night, the preacher referred to this passage:
NAU 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
“Peddling the word” – the KJV puts it ‘corrupt the word’, but the idea is more that of dishonest peddlers who try to swindle their customers.
The NET Bible notes explain the word this way:
The participle … refers to those engaged in retail business, but with the negative connotations of deceptiveness and greed – "to peddle for profit," "to huckster"
We’ve all met with fellows like this before, haven’t we? (If you haven’t yet, you will.)
Our preacher last night illustrated this kind of peddler this way: He’s like a man selling apples. He has some good ones, some so-so ones, and some ‘past due’. How does he display his wares? Does he put the best ones on the bottom of his basket, the so-so ones next and the ‘past due’ ones on the top?
No! Of course not. The best are put on top and the ‘past due’ ones are hidden on the inside.
Then came this application, not quoted exactly verbatim, but close:
“The worst thing about attracting people to church with rock music and then preaching Christ is the place it puts Christ in the basket.”
Think about it.
HT: Jeff Musgrave, our preacher of the evening.
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