1 Thessalonians 2:3

1 Thessalonians 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
• New International Version (NIV)For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:3

1You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain. 2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery. 4Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts. 5As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!

1 Thessalonians 2:3 word by word

ἡ γὰρ παράκλησις ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ·Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• appealπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• does notοὐou · noG3756
• arise fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• deceitπλάνηplanē · errorG4106
• ·οὐδέoude · norG3761
• ulterior motivesἀκαθαρσίαakatharsia · impurityG167
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• trickeryδόλοςdolos · deceitG1388

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:3

• 1 Thessalonians 2:5As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
• Numbers 16:15Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
• Acts 20:33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
• 2 Peter 1:16For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Our exhortation - The word has a very extensive meaning; it signifies not only exhortation and teaching in general, but also encouragement, consolation, and the like. When the apostles exhorted or admonished men, it was that they should turn from evil to good, from misery to happiness, from Satan to God, and from hell to heaven. Their exhortations having this object, every word was consolatory; and as the truth which they delivered was unquestionable…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For our exhortation - That is, the exhortation to embrace the gospel. The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general. The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become Christians were not such as to delude them. Was not of deceit - Was not founded on sophistry. The apostle means to say, that the Thessalonians knew that his manner of preaching was not such as was adopted by the advocates of error. Nor of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-20The letter begins by discussing the character of Paul and his associates, as well as how the Thessalonians accepted the good news (2:1–12; 13–16). It emphasizes Paul’s genuine care for the church, mentioning: his efforts to visit them again (2:17–20), and his choice to send Timothy when he could not go himself (3:1–5). It concludes with the apostle Paul’s happiness about Timothy’s positive report and his prayers to return to the church (3:6–9; 10–13)…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. For--The ground of his "boldness" (1Th 2:2), his freedom from all "deceit, uncleanness, and guile"; guile, before God, deceit (Greek, "imposture"), towards men (compare 2Co 1:12; 2:17; Ep 4:14); uncleanness, in relation to one's self (impure motives of carnal self-gratification in gain, 1Th 2:5), or lust; such as actuated false teachers of the Gentiles (Php 1:16; 2Pe 2:10, 14; Jude 8; Re 2:14, 15). So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [Estius]…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 2:3

• Deceit
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Sincerity
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Affectionately
• Bold
• Chargeable
• Cherish
• Desire
• Joy
• Deceit
• Err; Error
• Exhortation
• Guile

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