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 yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: 2But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from uncleanness, nor in guile: 4But as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. 5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

1 Thessalonians 2:3 word by word

ἡ γὰρ παράκλησις ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ·Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ourἡμῶνhēmōn · of usG2257
• exhortationπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• notοὐou · noG3756
• fromἐκek 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 neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
• Numbers 16:15And Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
• 1 Samuel 12:3Behold, here I am : witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or from whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes with it? and I will restore it you.
• Acts 20:33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
• 2 Peter 1:16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but 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