1 Thessalonians 2:5 BSB

1 Thessalonians 2:5

As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;

KJV

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

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Commentary

4 voices

Clement of Alexandria

The Stromata Book 1 (215)

It therefore follows, that every one of those who undertake to promote the good of their neighbours, ought to consider whether he has betaken himself to teaching rashly and out of rivalry to any; if his communication of the word is out of vainglory; if the only reward he reaps is the salvation of those who hear, and if he speaks not in order to win favour: if so, he who speaks by writings escapes the reproach of mercenary motives. "For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know," says the apostle, "nor a cloak of covetousness.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Pet. ii. (3.) He avoided ambition and vain-glory: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others,

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He and his fellow-labourers preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest in men's affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and wheedling them. No, he was far from this; nor did he flatter men in their sins; nor tell them, if they would be of his party, they might live as they listed.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For neither at any time used we flattering words - see the Job 31:21-22 notes; and on 2Co 2:17 note. The word here rendered “flattering” - κολακείας 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.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

15 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
οὔτε	oute	Never	G3777 →
γάρ	gar	for	G1063 →
ποτε	pote	at any time	G4218 →
ἐν	en	with	G1722 →
λόγῳ	logō	word	G3056 →
κολακείας	kolakeias	of flattery	G2850 →
ἐγενήθημεν,	egenēthēmen	were we,	G1096 →
καθὼς	kathōs	even as	G2531 →
οἴδατε,	oidate	you know,
οὔτε	oute	nor	G3777 →
ἐν	en	with	G1722 →
προφάσει	prophasei	a pretext	G4392 →
πλεονεξίας,	pleonexias	for greed —	G4124 →
θεὸς	theos	God [is]	G2316 →
μάρτυς,	martus	witness —	G3144 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
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
leads to
- Romans 9:1
  I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Ephesians 6:18
  Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- Ephesians 1:16–19
  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Through
2 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.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 2:17
  For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- Deuteronomy 32:35
  Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
- Romans 16:18
  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Through
Acts 20:33
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 11:9
  And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to…
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
  If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of…

About 1 Thessalonians

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Thessalonians: the study guide →Read chapter 2 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Thessalonians 2 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

06About 1 Thessalonians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

About 1 Thessalonians