Within the parentheses

From time to time, the Lectionary will omit verses from a Scripture reading selected for a particular day: sometimes leaving out something parenthetical or tangential.

While there may be good reasons for this, it is good not to let these verses always go unnoted, because there is great treasure in them as well.

Today’s verse in this category is 2 Cor. 4:2

Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things;
not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God,
but by the open declaration of the truth
we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience
in the sight of God.

Sadly, there are too many who falsify the word of God or try to twist Scripture to their own ends. As Shakespeare wrote in Merchant of Venice (Act I, Scene 3):

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul, producing holy witness,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

We need to pray always for the grace of discernment: that we may not be led astray, neither by others nor by own selves.


This verse also emphasizes the value of openness.

It is sometimes necessary to keep certain things private. Sometimes, however, it is not necessity but rather our own convenience or fear of embarrassment that tempts us to shield things from others’ scrutiny. Unnecessary secrecy can be a dangerous trap.

(A personal note: since I write here under a pseudonym, this verse especially hits home for me. Ironically, a key reason for my use of a pseudonym is illustrated by a subsequent verse in this passage – verse 4: “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ ….” Even so, I must continually examine and challenge myself in this regard. “Pray for me, my friends…”)


Scripture comforts us; it also challenges us. All of us need to be humble and open to these challenges, so that we may think and speak and live ever more faithfully in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.