𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛: 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗗

THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH: NOT CORRUPTING THE WORD OF GOD

Paul stresses that his ministry is not shaped by human approval, convenience, or self-interest.

Colossians 4:3–6 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ… That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak…
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt…”

1 Thessalonians 2:4 …so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Galatians 1:10 For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

The believer’s responsibility is obedience to the truth of Gods Word, not outcomes.
God produces the fruit.

THE DANGER OF CORRUPTING GOD’S WORD

2 Corinthians 2:17 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.

2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God

Paul contrasts his ministry with the many who corrupt Scripture.
To corrupt means:
Water down
Adulterate
Peddle for gain
Alter for popularity
Remove or add to God’s instruction

Corruption usually comes not from malice, but from good intentions mixed with ignorance, convenience, or fear of rejection.

Biblical Warnings Against Altering God’s Words

Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it…

Deuteronomy 12:32 …thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:5–6 Every word of God is pure… Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation 22:18–19 If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues… If any man shall take away… God shall take away his part out of the book of life…

2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

To corrupt Scripture is to alter God’s Words to suit your own opinions and theology

Wherever men attempt to blend truth and error, confusion and spiritual death follow. God is found in purity, not in mixture. Therefore, two streams must exist- the one of truth He preserves, and the other of corruption Satan sustains - It is our job to study, determine and stand on the Truth which is the KJV.

THE MINISTER’S TRUE AUDIENCE: GOD

Paul emphasizes repeatedly:
Ministry is unto God
Preaching is in Christ
Truth is spoken before God
Approval is sought from God, not man

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Ephesians 6:6 …as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus

Ministry evaluated by human response leads to compromise.
Ministry evaluated by God’s truth produces wisdom, peace and faithfulness.

THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST: A DIVIDING SAVOUR

The gospel and sound doctrine will always divide:

For the Saved

“Life unto life”
The aroma of hope
The fruit of righteousness
Joy and peace in truth

For the Perishing

“Death unto death”
Offense at sin, judgment, and the cross
Rejection of truth
Resistance to Christ’s authority

But the message must remain unchanged and uncorrupted - God will give the increase - He promised His Word would not return unto Him void

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it

God's will

1 Timothy 2:4-6 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

THE TAKEAWAY

Ministry is not measured by visible results

Gods Word must not be altered
The savour of truth is God’s Word rightly divided
Faithfulness is success

Corrupting Scripture dilutes the truth, therefore will not accomplish that which God pleased and dishonors God
The believer speaks in Christ, before God, with sincerity, without deceit

The victory is God’s - not ours - His Word works effectually in the believer when you let God be true and every man a liar.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God

God Himself promised to preserve His Word and He alone took responsibility for that preservation.
Why? Because every human being will one day be judged by what is written in those books.

Scripture does not give man permission to edit, subtract, add, modernize, or “improve” God’s words.
If a translation removes tens of thousands of words, alters doctrine, weakens Christ’s deity, omits verses, or introduces contradictions, then by definition it is not the preserved Word of God- it is a corrupted text.

God ties final judgment directly to what He has written:

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

If God will judge the world by His written Word, then He must preserve that Word perfectly - and He says He has.

Man’s job is not to update God’s Word.
Man’s job is to believe it, obey it, and refuse to corrupt it.