The Greek verb apeipomai (G550) means to renounce, to disown, or to refuse/decline. It is a compound of apo (away from) and epo (to speak/say), literally meaning 'to speak away from oneself' — to disavow or reject something that belongs to or is associated with oneself. The word appears once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 4:2.
Paul's single use of apeipomai is theologically decisive. He writes: 'But we have renounced (apeipomai) the secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.' In contrast to false teachers who peddle God's word for profit or twist it for audience approval, Paul publicly disavows all hidden agendas and underhanded methods. The minister of the gospel must live with radical transparency — an integrity that matches the open proclamation of truth. This renunciation of the hidden is possible because the gospel itself brings everything into the light of Christ (Ephesians 5:13).