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1 Thessalonians 2:3
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Paul’s Conduct

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But1 even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at aPhilippi, as you know, we were bbold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.  
3 aFor our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.  
4 But as awe have been approved by God bto be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, cnot as pleasing men, but God dwho tests our hearts.  
5 For aneither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a1 cloak for covetousness—bGod is witness.  
6 aNor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when bwe might have cmade demands das apostles of Christ.  
7 But awe were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.  
8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ato impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also bour own lives, because you had become dear to us.  
9 For you remember, brethren, our alabor and toil; for laboring night and day, bthat we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.  
10 aYou are witnesses, and God also, bhow devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;  
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and1 charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,  
12 athat you would walk worthy of God bwho calls you into His own kingdom and glory.  

Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God awithout ceasing, because when you breceived the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it cnot as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively dworks in you who believe.  
14 For you, brethren, became imitators aof the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For byou also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
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1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation - That is, the exhortation to embrace the gospel. The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general. The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become Christians were not such as to delude them.

Was not of deceit - Was not founded on sophistry. The apostle means to say, that the Thessalonians knew that his manner of preaching was not such as was adopted by the advocates of error.

Nor of uncleanness - Not such as to lead to an impure life. It was such as to lead to holiness and purity. The apostle appeals to what they knew to be the tendency of his doctrine as an evidence that it was true. Most of the teaching of the pagan philosophers led to a life of licentiousness and corruption. The tendency of the gospel was just the reverse.

d Nor in guile - Not by the arts of deceit. There was no craftiness or trick, such as could not bear a severe scrutiny. No point was carried by art, cunning, or stratagem. Everything was done on the most honorable and fair principles. It is much when a man can say that he has never endeavored to accomplish anything by mere trick, craft, or cunning. Sagacity and shrewdness are always allowable in ministers as well as others; trick and cunning never. Yet stratagem often takes the place of sagacity, and trick is often miscalled shrewdness. Guile, craft, cunning. imply deception, and can never be reconciled with that entire honesty which a minister of the gospel, and all other Christians, ought to possess; see notes on II Corinthians 12:16; compare Psalms 32:2; Psalms 34:13; John 1:47; I Peter 2:1, I Peter 2:22; Revelation 14:5.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Thessalonians 2:3:

1 Thessalonians 2:1
1 Thessalonians 2:20
1 Peter 2:1
1 John 4:6

 

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