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1 Thessalonians 2:3
ESV For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
NIV For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
NASB For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
CSB For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
NLT So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.
KJV For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
NKJV For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:3 mean?

Apparently, Paul's enemies had accused him of preaching a false message. They claimed he had impure motives and was using deception to gain the Thessalonians' trust. But in this verse Paul denies those accusations.

Likewise, in 2 Corinthians 4:1–7, Paul defends his ministry against false charges. He assures his readers that he and his coworkers had "renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways" and "refuse[d] to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word." Paul recognized that he and his fellow missionaries were simply clay jars that held the treasure of the gospel. God was to have all the glory.

At the core of Paul's message to the Thessalonians was the gospel, which he defines in 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 as having four elements. First, that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures." Second, that "he was buried." Third, that Christ "was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." Fourth, Paul taught that Christ appeared to the apostles, to five hundred believers, and to himself.
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