Is It Christian To Be Crafty and Cunning?

Is It Christian To Be Crafty and Cunning?

Thursday, March 27, 2014

11:29 AM

This Scripture caught my eye.  These are the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians. 

2 Corinthians 12:16(NKJV)

16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 

Not really sure what to make of it.  Is he saying that he tricked those people into  being Christians?  Is that really a valid way to bring people to Christ?

Let's take a look at the definitions of crafty and cunning.

craft·y

1. skillful in underhand or evil schemes; cunning; deceitful; sly.
2. Obsolete . skillful; ingenious; dexterous.

Now if we go with the second definition which is considered obsolete, this would make more sense.  Since the 2nd letter to the Corinthians was written a long time ago it could easily be that he was using what is now the obsolete meaning. 

cun·ning

1. skill employed in a shrewd or sly manner, as in deceiving; craftiness; guile.
2. adeptness in performance; dexterity: The weaver's hand lost its cunning.

One other thought I'll throw in here about craftiness is that Jesus was sometimes crafty in dealing with people as well.  There were times when those opposed to Jesus would ask Him questions to trick Him.  Instead of playing their games,  Jesus replied with a question of His own.  That was pretty crafty.

So all in all I would have to say that it is at time perfectly OK to be crafty.  Jesus set the example for us to follow.