For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Ver. 17. Which corrupt the word] Gr. καπηλευοντες, which huckster it, by handling it craftily and covetously, not serving the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies; as those popish trencher flies and our court parasites, who served for false glasses, to make bad faces look fair, and doubted not to adulterate the milk of the word, to the hurt of men's souls.
In the sight of God] It is impossible to speak as in God's presence, and not sincerely; such as do so are not acquainted with that "holy hypocrisy" commended in Dominic the founder of the Dominican friars (Vincent. Belnac. Episc. in hist. Sancti Dom.), whom he was wont to admonish, to feign themselves more virtuous than indeed they were, when they came in company with the laity, that they might get the more respect to themselves and to their doctrine. This was one of the "devil's depths," τα βαθη του Σατανα, Revelation 2:24; whereunto God's faithful ministers are perfect strangers.