Sincerity is much admired and an altogether lovely virtue, the extent of which is more clearly appreciated by the meaning behind the word “eilikrineia’ and its adjective krines”. The derivation of these words in Greek is not certain but two suggestions by scholars are significant. The word “eilein” may be a source and this word means “to shake to and fro in a sieve” for the purpose of extracting all foreign matter from a substance, which is then absolutely pure and unmixed. When Paul wrote (Phil. 1. 9-10) “This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere (eilikrines) and without offence till (or “for” R.S.V.) the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God”, he may well have had in mind the constant need to sift out imperfections from our lives. Godly love is the prime moving force and as this abounds it literally shakes our characters and lives, more effectively so as knowledge and judgment (discernment R.S.V.) increase to displace “the world”, thus bringing forth “the fruits of righteousness”. The end result, we pray, is that God’s grace will be such that no evil admixture will remain and we will be thoroughly cleansed and purified.
Another suggested derivation is from the Greek words “heile” and lcrinein” which mean “sunlight” and “to judge”. It was in ancient days and is still today, a fairly common practice for an intending buyer to ask to see the goods in the sun light, where the imperfections so easily overlooked in the gloom of the trader’s bazaar or shop, would be clearly shown. Apparently having this in mind, Charles B. Williams translates Phil. 1. 10, “be men of transparent character and blameless life, men that are abounding in the fruits of right doing”. We are to lead a life which even when held up to the judgment of the clear light of the sun, reveals no flaws or faults.
An ancient writer defines “eilikrineia” as “purity of mind and guilelessness which have nothing concealed in the shadows and nothing lurking beneath the surface”. In writing to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1. 12; 2.17) Paul uses this word in this sense, because he did not fear what men might say or do, for his life in Christ could stand the most exacting scrutiny. He says, “We do not as so many do, make a traffic of the word of God, but as from utter purity of motives, as from God, in the very presence of God in Christ we speak” (2. Cor. 2. 17). We claim to be Christ’s brethren; can then our individual thoughts, motives and desires stand the flaw-revealing light of day for all to see? Our “sincerity” is genuine when the “sifting” is effectually removing evil from us, creating in its place a purity which is guileless, frank and true, enabling us in clear conscience to stand before our fellows and present our entire lives to The Light, confident of the “Well done!” of Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One