1 Thessalonians 2:5
3 For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
- KJV
- For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
- WEB
- For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),
- ASV
- For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;
- DARBY
- For we have not at any time been [among you] with flattering discourse, even as ye know, nor with a pretext for covetousness, God [is] witness;
- BLB
- For neither at any time were we with a word of flattery, just as you⁺ know, nor with a pretext for greed—God [is] witness—
- ÅB
- For hverken kom vi nogensinne med smigrende ord, som dere vet, eller med skalkeskjul for havesyke, Gud er vårt vitne,
- OTB
- For vi kom aldri med smigrende tale, som dere vet, heller ikke med et motiv for grådighet—Gud er vårt vitne—
- B1930
- For hverken kom vi nogensinne med smigrende ord, som I vet, eller med skalkeskjul for havesyke, Gud er vårt vidne,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 1:9
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
Read in context2 Corinthians 12:17
Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
Read in contextActs 20:33
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
Read in contextGalatians 1:20
I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.
Read in context2 Peter 2:3
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
Read in contextRevelation 18:12–13
cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
Read in context2 Corinthians 7:2
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
Read in contextTitus 1:7
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
Read in context