1 Thessalonians 2:5

1 Thessalonians 2:5

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.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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Using words of flattery (en logw kolakeiav). Literally,

in speech of flattery or fawning. Old word, only here in N.T., from kolakv, a flatterer. An Epicurean, Philodemus, wrote a work Peri Kolakeiav (Concerning Flattery). Milligan (Vocabulary, etc.) speaks of "the selfish conduct of too many of the rhetoricians of the day," conduct extremely repugnant to Paul. The third time (verses I Thessalonians 2:1-2, I Thessalonians 2:5) he appeals to their knowledge of his work in Thessalonica. Frame suggests "cajolery."

Nor a cloke of covetousness (oute profasei pleoneciav). Pretext (profasiv from profainw, to show forth, or perhaps from pro-fhmi, to speak forth). This is the charge of self-interest rather than the mere desire to please people. Pretext of greediness is Frame's translation. Pleonecia is merely "having more" from pleonekthv, one eager for more, and pleonektew, to have more, then to over-reach, all old words, all with bad meaning as the result of the desire for more. In a preacher this sin is especially fatal. Paul feels so strongly his innocence of this charge that he calls God as witness as in II Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:1; Philippians 1:8, a solemn oath for his own veracity.

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Thessalonians 2:5:**

John 15:22
Acts 17:5
Acts 27:30
Romans 1:29
2 Corinthians 1:23
1 Thessalonians 2:1
1 Thessalonians 2:5

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