The Greek noun elaphria refers to lightness of character — flightiness, fickleness, or levity. It appears once in the NT: 2 Corinthians 1:17, where Paul defends himself against the charge that he changed his travel plans out of elaphria (fickleness). He insists his plans are not based on worldly inconsistency.
Paul's denial of elaphria (fickleness) in 2 Corinthians 1:17 defends the integrity of his apostolic ministry. His critics implied he was unreliable — changing plans like a flighty person. Paul's response grounds ministerial consistency in the character of God: "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:20). The minister's consistency should reflect God's own faithfulness. Elaphria — superficiality and flightiness — is incompatible with representing a God whose every "yes" is rock-solid.