1 Thessalonians 2:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed — God is witness.

NIV: You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

NASB: For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—

CSB: For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives —God is our witness —

NLT: Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!

KJV: For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

NKJV: For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness— God is witness.

When Paul preached to the Thessalonians, false prophets gave conflicting messages. Unlike those false prophets, Paul did not try to win the Thessalonians by flattering them. Nor did he try to line his pockets. Paul knew his conduct was pure, and he called upon God as his witness to this truth.

Jesus also warned about those who taught fake spirituality, for selfish reasons. He said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The apostle John sounded a similar alarm in 1 John 4:1. He wrote, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Paul also urged the Christians at Rome to be on guard against self-serving, greedy deceivers. He wrote: "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve" (Romans 16:17–18).

Paul's ministry at Thessalonica stood in stark contrast to the actions and motives of those false teachers.

First Thessalonians 2:1–8 recalls Paul's brief three-Sabbaths visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:2). He had served the Lord there honorably in the face of strong opposition. His message at Thessalonica was the pure gospel of God, and the Thessalonian believers had witnessed his holy, righteous, and blameless conduct. Here, Paul testifies that his intent was only to please God, not men, and that he strove to care for the Thessalonian believers as a mother would care for a child.

Paul begins to flesh out the general ideas he mentioned in chapter 1. Here in chapters 2 and 3, he further explains how he came to preach to the Thessalonian people. Paul particularly notes that his good conduct, proving his unselfish motivations, was instrumental in his success. The warm response of the people also endeared them to Paul, making him long to visit them again. Unfortunately, Paul was prevented from doing so, a struggle he attributes to Satan. Paul once again expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian Christians' ability to honor God despite persecution.

Chapter 1 briefly introduced the relationship between Paul and the Christians at Thessalonica. This introduction is expanded in chapter 2, where Paul gives additional details about how he came to preach there, why he left, and what he has heard of their spiritual progress. Chapter 3 will round out this glowing report with a reference to a visit from Paul's friend and student, Timothy.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.