Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. New Living Translation 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! English Standard Version For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Berean Standard Bible As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! Berean Literal Bible For never at any time were we with word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness-- King James Bible For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: New King James Version For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. New American Standard Bible For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— NASB 1995 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness— NASB 1977 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— Legacy Standard Bible For we never came with a flattering word, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— Amplified Bible For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— Christian Standard Bible For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives —God is our witness — Holman Christian Standard Bible For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— American Standard Version For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; Aramaic Bible in Plain English For neither do we ever employ enticing speech as you know, neither an occasion for greed, God is witness, Contemporary English Version You also know we didn't try to flatter anyone. God himself knows what we did wasn't a cover-up for greed. Douay-Rheims Bible For neither have we used, at any time, the speech of flattery, as you know; nor taken an occasion of covetousness, God is witness: English Revised Version For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness, God is witness; GOD'S WORD® Translation As you know, we never used flattery or schemes to make money. God is our witness! Good News Translation You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk, nor did we use words to cover up greed--God is our witness! International Standard Version As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! Literal Standard Version for at no time did we come with speech of flattery (as you have known), nor in a pretext for covetousness (God [is] witness), Majority Standard Bible As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! New American Bible Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed—God is witness— NET Bible For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is our witness-- New Revised Standard Version As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; New Heart English Bible For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed (God is witness), Webster's Bible Translation For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Weymouth New Testament For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness; World English Bible For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), Young's Literal Translation for at no time did we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for covetousness, (God is witness!) Additional Translations ... Context Paul's Ministry…4Instead, 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. 5 As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! 6Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.… Cross References Job 16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high. Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 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 1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed. 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. Treasury of Scripture For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: used. Job 17:5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. Job 32:21,22 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man… Psalm 12:2,3 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak… a cloke. Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Jeremiah 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. God. Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, Galatians 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Jump to Previous Aware Cloak Cloke Common Covetousness Desiring Discourse Enriching Flattering Flattery Found Language Ourselves Pretext Pretexts Secretly Speech Time Use Used Using Witness WordsJump to Next Aware Cloak Cloke Common Covetousness Desiring Discourse Enriching Flattering Flattery Found Language Ourselves Pretext Pretexts Secretly Speech Time Use Used Using Witness Words1 Thessalonians 2 1. In what manner the gospel was brought and preached to the Thessalonians.18. A reason is rendered both why Paul was so long absent from them, and also so desirous to see them. (5) At any time.--Not only during the stay at Thessalonica, but neither at Thessalonica nor elsewhere, as the next verse shows. But as the Thessalonians can only be appealed to as evidence for their own experience, the writers therefore call God Himself to witness. At the same time, the absence of flattering words was a thing of which human witnesses could judge; the freedom from covetous designs was known to God alone. Cloke of covetousness--i.e., some specious pretext, under cover of which we might gain a worldly advantage; so (though the Greek word is different) 1Peter 2:16, "a cloke of maliciousness." Verse 5. - For; confirming the statement that the preachers of the gospel did not seek to please men, but God. Neither at any time used we flattering words; endeavoring to gain you by flattery and praise; we did not pander to your feelings; we did not soften the demands of the gospel. As ye know, nor a cloak - or pretext - of covetousness. We did not use the gospel as a pretext to mask our real motive, which was covetousness, pretending to seek your spiritual good, whereas in reality we sought our own advantage. Paul could with perfect confidence appeal to his converts, and say, "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel" (Acts 20:33). He was free from all sinister motives. "He did not use words such as flattery uses, or pretexts such as covetousness" (Jowett). God is witness. Paul appeals to the Thessalonians themselves that he had not used flattering words; so now he appeals to God that the motive of his conduct was not covetousness. Men can judge the external conduct, they can hear the flattering words; but God only can know the motive of action - he only can discern the covetousness.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Asκαθὼς (kathōs) Adverb Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. you know, οἴδατε (oidate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. we never used ἐγενήθημεν (egenēthēmen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. words λόγῳ (logō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. of flattery κολακείας (kolakeias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2850: Flattery, with a view to advantage or gain. From a derivative of kolax; flattery. [or] οὔτε (oute) Conjunction Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even. [any] pretext προφάσει (prophasei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4392: A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext. for greed. πλεονεξίας (pleonexias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 4124: Covetousness, avarice, aggression, desire for advantage. From pleonektes; avarice, i.e. fraudulency, extortion. God [is] Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [our] witness! μάρτυς (martys) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'. Links 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NIV1 Thessalonians 2:5 NLT 1 Thessalonians 2:5 ESV 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NASB 1 Thessalonians 2:5 KJV 1 Thessalonians 2:5 BibleApps.com 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Biblia Paralela 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Chinese Bible 1 Thessalonians 2:5 French Bible 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither were we at any time (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th) |
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