New King James Version
1 Thessalonians 2:5
5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!
Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:5
3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
Read all of 1 Thessalonians 21 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 17:5He who speaks flattery to his friends, Even the eyes of his children will fail.
- Job 32:21Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man.
- Psalms 12:2They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
- Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
- Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
- Proverbs 28:23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.
- Isaiah 30:10Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
- Matthew 22:16And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
- 2 Peter 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
- Isaiah 56:11Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory.
- Jeremiah 6:13“Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.
- Jeremiah 8:10Therefore I will give their wives to others, And their fields to those who will inherit them; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is given to covetousness; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely.
- Micah 3:5Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets Who make my people stray; Who chant “Peace” While they chew with their teeth, But who prepare war against him Who puts nothing into their mouths:
- Malachi 1:10“Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the Lord of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
- Matthew 23:14Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
- Acts 20:33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries