2585. kapéleuó
Lexical Summary
kapéleuó: To peddle, to huckster, to trade deceitfully

Original Word: καπηλεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kapéleuó
Pronunciation: kah-peh-LOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (kap-ale-yoo'-o)
KJV: corrupt
NASB: peddling
Word Origin: [from kapelos (a huckster)]

1. to retail
2. (by implication) to adulterate (figuratively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
corrupt.

From kapelos (a huckster); to retail, i.e. (by implication) to adulterate (figuratively) -- corrupt.

HELPS Word-studies

2585 kapēleúō – properly, to act as an unscrupulous merchant, i.e. "a huckster" who profits by "peddling the Word of God" for personal gain. 2585 /kapēleúō ("peddler") is only used in 2 Cor 2:17 – of people "marketing the ministry" (the Word of God) for fast gain.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kapélos (a huckster, peddler)
Definition
to make a trade of
NASB Translation
peddling (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2585: καπηλεύω

καπηλεύω; (κάπηλος, i. e.

a. an inn-keeper, especially a vintner;

b. a petty retailer, a huckster, pedler; cf. Sir. 26:29 οὐ δικαιωθήσεται κάπηλος ἀπό ἁμαρτίας);

a. to be a retailer, to peddle;

b. with the accusative of the thing, "to make money by selling anything; to get sordid gain by dealing in anything, to do a thing for base gain" (οἱ τά μαθήματα περιαγοντες κατά πόλεις καί πωλοῦντες καί καπηλεύοντες, Plato, Prot., p. 313 d.; μάχην, Aeschylus the Sept. 551 (545); Latincauponari bellum, i. e. to fight for gain, trade in war, Ennius quoted in Cicero, offic. 1, 12, 38; ἑταιραν τό τῆς ὥρας ἄνθος καπηλευουσαν, Philo de caritat. § 14, cf. leg. ad Gaium § 30, and many other examples in other authors). Hence, some suppose that καπηλεύειν τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ in 2 Corinthians 2:17 is equivalent to to trade in the word of God, i. e. to try to get base gain by teaching divine truth. But as pedlers were in the habit of adulterating their commodities for the sake of gain (οἱ κάπηλοί σου μίσγουσι τόν οἶνον ὕδατι, Isaiah 1:22 the Sept.; κάπηλοί, οἱ τόν οἶνον κεραννύντες, Pollux, onomast. 7, 193; οἱ φιλοσοφοι ἀποδιδονται τά μαθήματα, ὥσπερ οἱ κάπηλοί, κερασάμενοι γέ οἱ πολλοί καί δολωσαντες καί κακομετρουντες, Lucian. Hermot. 59), καπηλεύειν τί was also used as synonymous with to corrupt, to adulterate (Themistius, or. 21, p. 247, Hard. edition says that the false philosophers τό θειοτατον τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων ἀγαθῶν κιβδηλεύειν τέ καί αἰσχύνειν καί καπηλεύειν); and most interpreters rightly decide in favor of this meaning (on account of the context) in 2 Corinthians 2:17, cf. δολουν τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, 2 Corinthians 4:2. (Cf. Trench, § lxii.)

Topical Lexicon
Concept and Background

The verb behind Strong’s Greek 2585 denotes the mercantile practice of retailing goods in small quantities with an eye toward personal profit. In the Greco-Roman world the καπῆλος was a hawker or stall-keeper who frequently diluted wine or tampered with wares to increase margin. The term therefore carried connotations of opportunism, deceit, and a willingness to sacrifice quality for gain. When applied to speech or teaching, it evokes the image of someone who adulterates truth for personal advantage.

Biblical Occurrence and Immediate Context

2 Corinthians 2:17 stands alone in the New Testament as the sole canonical occurrence:

“For we are not like so many, peddling the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.”

Here Paul contrasts his team’s apostolic ministry with contemporaries who trafficked in religious ideas for remuneration. The surrounding verses (2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6) stress divine commissioning, transparent motives, and the Spirit’s authentication, reinforcing that the gospel is not a commodity but a fragrant offering of Christ.

Old Testament and Intertestamental Resonances

Although the specific Greek term never appears in the Septuagint, the prophetic writings repeatedly condemn priests and prophets who “teach for a price” (Micah 3:11), purchase favor with corrupt scales (Amos 8:4-6), or exploit the vulnerable while claiming divine sanction (Jeremiah 6:13). Like the καπῆλος who waters down wine (Isaiah 1:22), spiritual hucksters dilute God’s word. Second-Temple literature likewise censures teachers who “seek gain” from Torah instruction, preparing the cultural backdrop for Paul’s critique.

Socio-Historical Setting: Itinerant Rhetors and Travelling Philosophers

First-century cities teemed with wandering sophists who offered lectures for fees. Rhetorical handbooks encouraged speakers to adapt content to audience taste, maintain patronage, and cultivate fame. Itinerant religious entrepreneurs—from Cynic philosophers to mystery-cult promoters—could accumulate wealth by appealing to the spiritual marketplace. Corinth, prosperous and cosmopolitan, was particularly susceptible to such figures. Paul intentionally refused financial dependence on the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 9:12-18; 2 Corinthians 11:7-12) to distinguish himself from professional rhetoricians whose message was shaped by monetary ambition.

Theological Implications: Integrity in Gospel Ministry

1. Divine ownership of the message: The “word of God” belongs to Him; it may not be bartered.
2. Accountability before God: Paul speaks “before God,” implying ultimate evaluation transcends human patronage.
3. Christ-centered proclamation: Authentic ministry is executed “in Christ,” locating both authority and identity in Him, thereby excluding self-serving motives.
4. Sincerity and transparency: The antithesis of commercialized preaching is purity of intent and disclosure of heart (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5).
5. Missionary sending: True ministers are “sent from God,” echoing prophetic commissioning and apostolic mandate (Romans 10:15).

Pastoral Application

• Guard against monetizing spiritual gifts or manipulating donors.
• Teach the whole counsel of God without diluting hard truths for popularity (Acts 20:27).
• Maintain financial accountability and visible integrity structures.
• Encourage bivocational or tent-making models where appropriate to avoid dependence on questionable support.
• Foster a culture in which gospel proclamation is viewed as stewardship, not merchandise.

Related New Testament Warnings

• “In their greed these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words” (2 Peter 2:3).
• “Preach the word... with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).
• “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Though these passages use different vocabulary, they echo the same concern: profit-driven ministry undermines truth.

Reception in Church History

Early Fathers such as Chrysostom and Augustine cited 2 Corinthians 2:17 when condemning simony and criticizing clergy who offered sacraments or theological novelty for gain. Medieval canon law codified prohibitions against “peddling the word,” and Reformation leaders reapplied the verse to indulgence sellers. Throughout revivals and mission movements, the text has served as a touchstone for rejecting sensationalism and commercial exploitation.

Contemporary Relevance

Modern media platforms, celebrity culture, and fundraising mechanisms can subtly re-create the ancient temptation to merchandise faith. Paul’s solitary use of καπηλεύω thus speaks with enduring urgency: the gospel is priceless; those who proclaim it must do so freely, faithfully, and for God’s glory, not personal profit.

Forms and Transliterations
εκαπνίζετο καπηλευοντες καπηλεύοντες κάπηλοί καπνιζόμενον καπνιζόμενος καπνιζομένων καπνίζον καπνίζονται καπνισθήσονται kapeleuontes kapeleúontes kapēleuontes kapēleúontes
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Corinthians 2:17 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: οἱ πολλοὶ καπηλεύοντες τὸν λόγον
NAS: many, peddling the word
KJV: many, which corrupt the word
INT: the many are peddling the word

Strong's Greek 2585
1 Occurrence


καπηλεύοντες — 1 Occ.

2584
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