1 Thessalonians 2:3 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 1:20:23 AM