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Bible Dictionaries
Sincerity
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary
or Freedom from hypocrisy or dissimulation. The Latin word sincerus, from whence our English word sincere is derived, is composed of sine and cera, and signifies without wax, as pure honey, which is not mixed with any wax; thus denoting that sincerity is a pure and upright principle. The Greek word translated sincerity, (2 Corinthians 1:12 .) signifies properly a judgment made of things by the light and splendour of the sun: as, in traffic, men hold up goods they are buying, to the light of the sun, to see if they can discover any defect in them. Thus those who are truly sincere can bear the test of light, and are not afraid of having their principles and practices examined by it. This word, however, like many others, is abused, and often becomes a subterfuge for the ungodly and the indolent, who think that their practice is nothing; but that sincerity, or a good heart, as they call it, is all in all. But such deceive themselves, for a tree is known by its fruits; and true godly sincerity will evidence itself by serious inquiry, impartial examination, desire of instruction, unprejudiced judgment, devotedness of spirit, and uniformity of conduct. The reader will find this subject ably handled in Gurnall's Christian Armour, vol. 2: p. 121, to 148.
See HYPOCRISY.
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Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Sincerity'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/cbd/s/sincerity.html. 1802.
