Christian Standard Bible
1 Thessalonians 2:5
5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives — God is our witness —
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 exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives — God is our witness — 6and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. 7Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children.
Read all of 1 Thessalonians 21 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 17:5If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.
- Job 32:21I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
- Psalms 12:2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.
- Proverbs 20:19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.
- Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
- Proverbs 28:23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
- Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions.
- Matthew 22:16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality.
- 2 Peter 2:18For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped from those who live in error.
- Isaiah 56:11These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own profit.
- Jeremiah 6:13For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is making profit dishonestly. From prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
- Jeremiah 8:10Therefore, I will give their wives to other men, their fields to new occupants, for from the least to the greatest, everyone is making profit dishonestly. From prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
- Micah 3:5This is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who proclaim peace when they have food to sink their teeth into but declare war against the one who puts nothing in their mouths.
- Malachi 1:10“I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle a useless fire on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Armies, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.
- Acts 20:33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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