Attention has often been called to the striking fact that we have here the anglicized Latin word “sincere,” meaning, literally, “without wax” used to translate a Greek word meaning “sun-tested.” It might seem at first as though there is no connection between the two terms.
However, we are told that the ancients had a very fine porcelain, which was greatly valued and brought a very high price. This ware was so fragile that it was only with the greatest difficulty it could endure the firing process without being cracked. Dishonest dealers were in the habit of filling in the cracks that appeared with a pearly-white wax, which looked enough like the true porcelain to pass without being readily detected in the shops.
If held to the light, however, the wax was at once manifested as a dark seam, and honest Latin dealers marked their wares “sine cera” (without wax).
Thus the Apostle would have the saints tested by the sunlight of God’s truth and holiness and found to be without wax; that is, he would have them straightforward and honorable in all their dealings. Anything that savors of sham or hypocrisy is as the wax used to hide the imperfection in the porcelain.
Gems From My Reading