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

1For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. 2But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition. For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. 5For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• exhortationπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• notοὐou · noG3756
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• deceitπλάνηplanē · errorG4106
• norοὐδέoude · norG3761
• uncleannessἀκαθαρσίαakatharsia · impurityG167
• norοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• guileδόλοςdolos · deceitG1388

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:3

• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.
• Numbers 16:15Moses was very angry, and he said to the Lord, “Have no respect for their offering! I have not taken so much as one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them!”
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Bring a charge against me before the Lord and before his chosen king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe so that I would overlook something? Tell me, and I will return it to you!”
• Acts 20:33I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:2Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have exploited no one.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!
• 2 Peter 1:16For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.

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