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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 2:4	Strong Concordance	But [235] as [2531] we were allowed [1381] of [5259] God [2316] to be put in trust [4100] with the gospel [2098], even so [3779] we speak [2980]; not [3756] as [5613] pleasing [700] men [444], but [235] God [2316], which trieth [1381] our [2257] hearts [2588].
	King James	But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
as--according as; even as. allowed--Greek, "We have been approved on trial," "deemed fit." This word corresponds to "God which trieth our hearts" below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Act 9:15; Co1 7:25; Co2 3:5; Ti1 1:11-12). not as pleasing--not as persons who seek to please men; characteristic of false teachers (Gal 1:10).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

as--according as; even as.

allowed--Greek, "We have been approved on trial," "deemed fit." This word corresponds to "God which trieth our hearts" below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Act 9:15; Co1 7:25; Co2 3:5; Ti1 1:11-12).

not as pleasing--not as persons who seek to please men; characteristic of false teachers (Gal 1:10).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel - Compare Ti1 1:11-12. Since there had been committed to us an office so high and holy, and so much demanding sincerity, fidelity, and honesty, we endeavored to act in all respects in conformity to the trust reposed in us. The gospel is a system of truth and sincerity, and we evinced the same. The gospel is concerned with great realities, and we did not resort to trick and illusion. The office of the ministry is most responsible, and we acted in view of the great account which we must render. The meaning is, that Paul had such a sense of the truth, reality, and importance of the gospel, and of his responsibility, as effectually to keep him from anything like craft or cunning in preaching it. An effectual restrainer from mere management and trick will always be found in a deep conviction of the truth and importance of religion. Artifice and cunning are the usual accompaniments of a bad cause - and, when adopted by a minister of the gospel, will usually, when detected, leave the impression that he feels that he is engaged in such a cause. If an object cannot be secured by sincerity and straight-forward dealing, it is not desirable that it should be secured at all. Even so we speak - In accordance with the nature of the gospel; with the truth and sincerity which such a cause demands. Not as pleasing men - Not in the manner of impostors, who make it their object to please people. The meaning of the apostle is, that he did not aim to teach such doctrines as would flatter people; as would win their applause; or as would gratify their passions or their fancy. We are not to suppose that he desired to offend people; or that he regarded their esteem as of no value; or that he was indifferent whether they were pleased or displeased; but that it was not the direct object of his preaching to please them. It was to declare the truth, and to obtain the approbation of God whatever people might think of it; see the notes on Gal 1:10. Which trieth our hearts - It is often said to be an attribute of God that he tries or searches the hearts of people; Ch1 28:9; Ch1 29:17; Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10; Psa 11:4; Rom 8:27. The meaning here is, that the apostle had a deep conviction of the truth that God knew all his motives, and that all would be revealed in the last day.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel - Compare Ti1 1:11-12. Since there had been committed to us an office so high and holy, and so much demanding sincerity, fidelity, and honesty, we endeavored to act in all respects in conformity to the trust reposed in us. The gospel is a system of truth and sincerity, and we evinced the same. The gospel is concerned with great realities, and we did not resort to trick and illusion. The office of the ministry is most responsible, and we acted in view of the great account which we must render. The meaning is, that Paul had such a sense of the truth, reality, and importance of the gospel, and of his responsibility, as effectually to keep him from anything like craft or cunning in preaching it. An effectual restrainer from mere management and trick will always be found in a deep conviction of the truth and importance of religion. Artifice and cunning are the usual accompaniments of a bad cause - and, when adopted by a minister of the gospel, will usually, when detected, leave the impression that he feels that he is engaged in such a cause. If an object cannot be secured by sincerity and straight-forward dealing, it is not desirable that it should be secured at all.

Even so we speak - In accordance with the nature of the gospel; with the truth and sincerity which such a cause demands.

Not as pleasing men - Not in the manner of impostors, who make it their object to please people. The meaning of the apostle is, that he did not aim to teach such doctrines as would flatter people; as would win their applause; or as would gratify their passions or their fancy. We are not to suppose that he desired to offend people; or that he regarded their esteem as of no value; or that he was indifferent whether they were pleased or displeased; but that it was not the direct object of his preaching to please them. It was to declare the truth, and to obtain the approbation of God whatever people might think of it; see the notes on Gal 1:10.

Which trieth our hearts - It is often said to be an attribute of God that he tries or searches the hearts of people; Ch1 28:9; Ch1 29:17; Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10; Psa 11:4; Rom 8:27. The meaning here is, that the apostle had a deep conviction of the truth that God knew all his motives, and that all would be revealed in the last day.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
We were allowed (δεδοκιμάσμεθα) More correctly, approved. See on Pe1 1:7. We came and spoke to you as tested men. Pleasing (ἀρέσκοντες) As being those who seek to please. Comp. Gal 1:10, and ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι man-pleasers, Eph 6:6; Col 3:22. Comp. lxx, Psa 52:5 : "God hath scattered the bones of men-pleasers." The fourth Psalm of Solomon is entitled: Against the men-pleasers (ἀνθρωπαρέσκοις). Who proveth (δοκιμάζοντι) Word-play with δεδοκιμάσμεθα we were approved.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But as we were allowed of God - Καθως δεδοκιμασμεθα· As we were accounted worthy to be put in trust - as God put confidence in us, and sent us on his most especial message to mankind, even so we speak, keeping the dignity of our high calling continually in view; and, acting as in the sight of God, we speak not to please or flatter men, though our doctrine is the most consolatory that can be conceived, but to please that God who searcheth the heart, and before whom all our motives are constantly without a veil.

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¹⁰ For [1063] do I [3982] now [737] persuade [3982] men [444], or [2228] God [2316]? or [2228] do I seek [2212] to please [700] men [444]? for [1063] if [1487] I [700] yet [2089] pleased [700] men [444], I should [302] not [3756] be [2252] the servant [1401] of Christ [5547].

¹¹ According [2596] to the glorious [1391] gospel [2098] of the blessed [3107] God [2316], which [3739] was committed to [4100] my [1473] trust [4100].
¹² And [2532] I thank [2192] [5485] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] our [2257] Lord [2962], who [3588] hath enabled [1743] me [3165], for [3754] that he counted [2233] me [3165] faithful [4103], putting me [5087] into [1519] the ministry [1248];

⁵ Not [3756] that [3754] we are [2070] sufficient [2425] of [575] ourselves [1438] to think [3049] any thing [5100] as [5613] of [1537] ourselves [1438]; but [235] our [2257] sufficiency [2426] is of [1537] God [2316];

²⁵ Now [1161] concerning [4012] virgins [3933] I have [2192] no [3756] commandment [2003] of the Lord [2962]: yet [1161] I give [1325] my judgment [1106], as [5613] one that hath obtained mercy [1653] of [5259] the Lord [2962] to be [1511] faithful [4103].

¹⁵ But [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Go thy way [4198]: for [3754] he [3778] is [2076] a chosen [1589] vessel [4632] unto me [3427], to bear [941] my [3450] name [3686] before [1799] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] kings [935], and [5037] the children [5207] of Israel [2474]:

²⁷ And [1161] he that searcheth [2045] the hearts [2588] knoweth [1492] what [5101] is the mind [5427] of the Spirit [4151], because [3754] he maketh intercession [1793] for [5228] the saints [40] according [2596] to the will of God [2316].

⁴ The LORD [03068] is in his holy [06944] temple [01964], the LORD'S [03068] throne [03678] is in heaven [08064]: his eyes [05869] behold [02372], his eyelids [06079] try [0974], the children [01121] of men [0120].

¹⁰ I the LORD [03068] search [02713] the heart [03820], I try [0974] the reins [03629], even to give [05414] every man [0376] according to his ways [01870], and according to the fruit [06529] of his doings [04611].

²⁰ But, O LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], that judgest [08199] righteously [06664], that triest [0974] the reins [03629] and the heart [03820], let me see [07200] thy vengeance [05360] on them: for unto thee have I revealed [01540] my cause [07379].

¹⁷ I know [03045] also, my God [0430], that thou triest [0974] the heart [03824], and hast pleasure [07521] in uprightness [03476]. As for me, in the uprightness [04339] of mine heart [03824] I have willingly offered [05068] all these things: and now have I seen [07200] with joy [08057] thy people [05971], which are present [04672] here, to offer willingly [05068] unto thee.

⁹ And thou, Solomon [08010] my son [01121], know [03045] thou the God [0430] of thy father [01], and serve [05647] him with a perfect [08003] heart [03820] and with a willing [02655] mind [05315]: for the LORD [03068] searcheth [01875] all hearts [03824], and understandeth [0995] all the imaginations [03336] of the thoughts [04284]: if thou seek [01875] him, he will be found [04672] of thee; but if thou forsake [05800] him, he will cast thee off [02186] for ever [05703].

⁵ God [0410] shall likewise destroy [05422] thee for ever [05331], he shall take thee away [02846], and pluck thee out [05255] of thy dwelling place [0168], and root thee out [08327] of the land [0776] of the living [02416]. Selah [05542].

²² Servants [1401], obey [5219] in [2596] all things [3956] your masters [2962] according [2596] to the flesh [4561]; not [3361] with [1722] eyeservice [3787], as [5613] menpleasers [441]; but [235] in [1722] singleness [572] of heart [2588], fearing [5399] God [2316]:

⁶ Not [3361] with [2596] eyeservice [3787], as [5613] menpleasers [441]; but [235] as [5613] the servants [1401] of Christ [5547], doing [4160] the will [2307] of God [2316] from [1537] the heart [5590];

⁷ That [2443] the trial [1383] of your [5216] faith [4102], being much [4183] more precious [5093] than of gold [5553] that perisheth [622], though [1223] [1161] it be tried [1381] with fire [4442], might be found [2147] unto [1519] praise [1868] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] glory [1391] at [1722] the appearing [602] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]: