Holiness and sincerity. Paul and his disciples walked in both of these. They walked in holiness and integrity with finances, relationships, and so much more. There was also sincerity of heart – Paul loved them, loved Jesus, and had sincere intentions.
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Cor 1:12-14).
Look at what he says there. Paul did not rely on worldly wisdom. What did worldly wisdom look like? Writing things in such scholarly language that they could not read or understand. That was worldly wisdom, and still persists today. Paul’s preaching was simple, clear, and to communicate a message. Not to impress.
Just as Paul wanted to boast of them on the day of judgment, he was living a life that he wanted them to be able to boast in him. When we live righteously together, we can have that boast.
The word “boast” here is not one of prideful boasting, but of joy and delighting in someone. It’s interesting that we will be able to do this on the final day, boast in one another.
With all that is going on with leaders falling into sin and moral compromise, can it be said of us that people can boast of our holiness and sincerity?