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 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. For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness – 6nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others, 7although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring 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

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 personal gain, the eyes of his children will fail.
• Job 32:21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man.
• Psalms 12:2People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.
• Proverbs 20:19The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.
• Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
• Proverbs 28:23The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the tongue.
• Isaiah 30:10They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!” and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us nice things, relate deceptive messages.
• Matthew 22:16They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality.
• 2 Peter 2:18For by speaking high-sounding but empty words they are able to entice, with fleshly desires and with debauchery, people who have just escaped from those who reside in error.
• Isaiah 56:11The dogs have big appetites; they are never full. They are shepherds who have no understanding; they all go their own way, each one looking for monetary gain.
• Jeremiah 6:13“That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit.
• Jeremiah 8:10So I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.
• Micah 3:5This is what the Lord says: “The prophets who mislead my people are as good as dead. If someone gives them enough to eat, they offer an oracle of peace. But if someone does not give them food, they are ready to declare war on him.
• Malachi 1:10“I wish that one of you would close the temple doors, so that you no longer would light useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord who rules over all, “and I will no longer accept an offering from you.
• Acts 20:33I have desired no one’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

• 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