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 exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness-- 6nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares 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

• For we neverοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• For we neverποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• cameγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• with flatteringκολακείαkolakeia · flatteryG2850
• speechλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• a pretextπρόφασιςprophasis · pretenseG4392
• for greedπλεονεξίαpleonexia · greedinessG4124
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• is witnessμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Job 17:5He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will languish.
• Job 32:21Let me now be partial to no one, Nor flatter any man.
• Psalms 12:2They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
• Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
• Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
• Proverbs 28:23He who rebukes a 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”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.
• Matthew 22:16And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.
• 2 Peter 2:18For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
• Isaiah 56:11And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one.
• Jeremiah 6:13“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely.
• Jeremiah 8:10Therefore I will give their wives to others, Their fields to new owners; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for gain; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices deceit.
• Micah 3:5Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They cry, “Peace,” But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war.
• Malachi 1:10“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you.
• Matthew 23:14[Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]
• Acts 20:33I have coveted no one’s silver or 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
• Affectionately
• Bold
• Chargeable
• Cherish
• Desire
• Joy
• Martyr
• Cloak; Cloke
• Covetousness

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