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:
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:3

1You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up 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 2:5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
• Numbers 16:15Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”
• Acts 20:33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
• 2 Peter 1:16For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

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