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

3When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception. 4Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don’t try to please people but God, who tests our motives. As you know, we never used flattery or schemes to make money. God is our witness! 6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else, 7although as apostles of Christ we had the right to do this. Instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her 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 17:5(Whoever turns in friends to get their property should have his children’s eyesight fail.)
• Job 32:21I won’t be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.
• Psalms 12:2All people speak foolishly. They speak with flattering lips. They say one thing but mean another.
• Proverbs 20:19Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open.
• Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
• Proverbs 28:23Whoever criticizes people will be more highly regarded in the future than the one who flatters with his tongue.
• Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, ‘Don’t see ⌞the future⌟.’ They say to those who have visions, ‘Don’t have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. See illusions.
• Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to him along with Herod’s followers. They said to him, “Teacher, we know that you tell the truth and that you teach the truth about the way of God. You don’t favor individuals because of who they are.
• 2 Peter 2:18They arrogantly use nonsense to seduce people by appealing to their sexual desires, especially to sexual freedom. They seduce people who have just escaped from those who live in error.
• Isaiah 56:11These dogs have huge appetites. They are never full. They are the shepherds, but they don’t understand. All of them have turned to go their own ways. Each one seeks his own gain.
• Jeremiah 6:13“All of them, from the least important to the most important, are eager to make money dishonestly. All of them, from prophets to priests, act deceitfully.
• Jeremiah 8:10That is why I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. All of them, from the least important to the most important, are eager to make money dishonestly. All of them, from prophets to priests, act deceitfully.
• Micah 3:5This is what the Lord says about the prophets who mislead my people: When they have something to eat, they say, “All is well!” But they declare a holy war against those who don’t feed them.
• Malachi 1:10“I wish one of you would shut the doors ⌞to my house⌟ so that you could not light fires on my altar for no reason. I’m not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Armies, “and I won’t accept your offerings.
• Acts 20:33“I never wanted anyone’s silver, gold, or 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