1 Thessalonians 2:5

1 Thessalonians 2:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
• New International Version (NIV)You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:5

3For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change]. 4But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]. For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority. 7But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 word by word

οὔτε γάρ ποτε ἐν λόγῳ κολακείας ἐγενήθημεν, καθὼς οἴδατε, οὔτε ἐν προφάσει πλεονεξίας, θεὸς μάρτυς,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• neitherοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• at any timeποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• used weγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• flatteringκολακείαkolakeia · flatteryG2850
• wordsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• ye knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• a clokeπρόφασιςprophasis · pretenseG4392
• of covetousnessπλεονεξίαpleonexia · greedinessG4124
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• witnessμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Job 17:5He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.
• Job 32:21I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say]; Nor flatter any man.
• Psalms 12:2They speak deceitful and worthless words to one another; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
• Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].
• Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
• Proverbs 28:23He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.
• Isaiah 30:10Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions from God”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right! Speak to us pleasant things and smooth words, Prophesy [deceitful] illusions [that we will enjoy].
• Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].
• 2 Peter 2:18For uttering arrogant words of vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth], they beguile and lure using lustful desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error.
• Isaiah 56:11And the dogs are greedy; they never have enough. They are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unlawful gain, without exception.
• Jeremiah 6:13“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for [unfair] gain; And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals deceitfully.
• Jeremiah 8:10Therefore I will give their wives to others And their fields to new owners; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for [unjust] gain; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices deceit and deals in corruption.
• Micah 3:5Thus says the Lord concerning the [false] prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something good to bite with their teeth, They call out, “Peace,” But against the one who gives them nothing to eat, They declare a holy war.
• Malachi 1:10“Oh, that there were even one among you [whose duty it is to minister to Me] who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar uselessly [with an empty, worthless pretense]! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand.
• Matthew 23:14[Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]
• Acts 20:33I had no desire for anyone’s silver or gold or [expensive] clothes.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Flattering words - Though we proclaimed the Gospel or glad tidings, yet we showed that without holiness none should see the Lord. Ye know - That while we preached the whole Gospel we never gave any countenance to sin. For a cloak of covetousness - We did not seek temporal emolument; nor did we preach the Gospel for a cloak to our covetousness: God is witness that we did not; we sought you, not yours. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Can ye call God…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5For neither at any time used we flattering words - see the Job 31:21-22 notes; and on 2 Corinthians 2:17 note. The word here rendered “flattering” - ́ kolakeias- occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The meaning is, that the apostle did not deal in the language of adulation; he did not praise them for their beauty, wealth, talent, or accomplishments, and conceal from them the painful truths about their guilt and danger. He stated simple truth - not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5Flattery was often used to gain money from others. Paul denies flattering the Thessalonians to receive money. He calls both the Thessalonians and God as witnesses (see 2:10; Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. used we flattering words--literally, "become (that is, have we been found) in (the use of) language of flattery"; the resource of those who try to "please men." as ye know--"Ye know" as to whether I flattered you; as to "covetousness," God, the Judge of the heart, alone can be "my witness." cloak of--that is, any specious guise under which I might cloak "covetousness."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Covetousness
• Flattery
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Sincerity
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Affectionately
• Bold
• Chargeable
• Cherish
• Desire
• Joy
• Martyr
• Cloak; Cloke

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings