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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:5 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Th 2:5 |
Strong Concordance |
For [1063] neither [3777] at any time [4218] used we [1096] flattering [2850] words [1722] [3056], as [2531] ye know [1492], nor [3777] a cloke [1722] [4392] of covetousness [4124]; God [2316] is witness [3144]: |
|
King James |
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
used we flattering words--literally, "become (that is, have we been found) in (the use of) language of flattery"; the resource of those who try to "please men."
as ye know--"Ye know" as to whether I flattered you; as to "covetousness," GOD, the Judge of the heart, alone can be "my witness."
cloak of--that is, any specious guise under which I might cloak "covetousness." |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For neither at any time used we flattering words - see the Job 31:21-22 notes; and on Co2 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. He stated simple truth - not refusing to commend people if truth would admit of it, and never hesitating to declare his honest convictions about their guilt and danger. One of the principal arts of the deceiver on all subjects is flattery; and Paul says, that when preaching to the Thessalonians he had carefully avoided it. He now appeals to that fact as a proof of his own integrity. They knew that he had been faithful to their souls.
Nor a cloke of covetousness - The word rendered "cloke" here - πρόφασει prophasei - means, properly, "what is shown or appears before any one;" i. e., "show, pretence, pretext," put forth in order to cover one's real intent; Mat 22:14; Mar 12:40; Luk 20:47. The meaning here is, that he did not put on a pretence or appearance of piety for the sake of promoting the schemes of covetousness. The evidence of that was not only what they observed of the general spirit of the apostle, but also the fact that when with them he had actually labored with his own hands for a support; Th1 2:9. It is obvious that there were those there, as sometimes there are now, who, under the pretence of great zeal for religion, were really seeking wealth, and it is possible that it may have been alleged against Paul and his fellow-laborers that they were such persons.
God is witness - This is a solemn appeal to God for the truth of what he had said. He refers not only to their own observation, but he calls God himself to witness his sincerity. God knew the truth in the case. There could have been no imposing on him; and the appeal, therefore, is to one who was intimately acquainted with the truth. Learn hence:
(1) That it is right, on important occasions, to appeal to God for the truth of what we say.
(2) we should always so live that we can properly make such an appeal to him. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Used we flattering words (ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας ἐγενηθήμεν)
Better, were we found using flattering discourse. Very literally and baldly it is, we came to pass in discourse of flattery. It means more than the mere fact that they were not flatterers: rather, they did not prove to be such in the course of their work. Similar periphrases with ἐν are found, Luk 22:44; Act 22:17; Co2 3:7; Phi 2:7; with εἰς, Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; Luk 20:17; Act 4:11; Th1 3:5. Κολακία flattery, N.T.o. olxx. Rare in Class. Λόγῳ is explained by some as report or rumor. Common report did not charge us with being flatterers. This meaning is admissible, but the other is simpler. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men's self-complacency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands.
Cloke of covetousness (προφάσει πλεονεξίας)
For πρόφασις see on Joh 15:22. Properly pretext: πρό before, φάσις a word or saying. Others, less probably, from προφαίνειν to cause to shine forth or before. Paul means that he had not used his apostolic office to disguise or conceal avaricious designs.
God is witness (θεὸς μάρτυς)
Comp. Rom 1:9; Co2 1:23; Phi 1:8; Th1 2:10. God or the Lord is witness is a common O.T. formula: see Gen 31:44, Gen 31:50; Sa1 12:5, Sa1 12:6; Sa1 20:23, Sa1 20:42; Wisd. 1:6. For testimony to his conduct, he appeals to the Thessalonians (as ye know): for testimony to his motives, he appeals to God. Comp. Th1 2:10, where there is the double appeal. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Flattering words - This ye know. Nor a cloak of covetousness - Of this God is witness. He calls men to witness an open fact; God, the secret intentions of the heart. In a point of a mixed nature, Th1 2:10, he appeals both to God and man. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Flattering words - Though we proclaimed the Gospel or glad tidings, yet we showed that without holiness none should see the Lord.
Ye know - That while we preached the whole Gospel we never gave any countenance to sin.
For a cloak of covetousness - We did not seek temporal emolument; nor did we preach the Gospel for a cloak to our covetousness: God is witness that we did not; we sought you, not yours. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Can ye call God to witness that in preaching it ye have no end in view by your ministry but his glory in the salvation of souls? Or do ye enter into the priesthood for a morsel of bread, or for what is ominously and impiously called a living, a benefice? In better days your place and office were called a cure of souls; what care have you for the souls of them by whose labors you are in general more than sufficiently supported? Is it your study, your earnest labor, to bring sinners to God; to preach among your heathen parishioners the unsearchable riches of Christ?
But I should speak to the thousands who have no parishes, but who have their chapels, their congregations, pew and seat rents, etc., etc. Is it for the sake of these that ye have entered or continue in the Gospel ministry? Is God witness that, in all these things, ye have no cloak of covetousness? Happy is the man who can say so, whether he has the provision which the law of the land allows him, or whether he lives on the free-will offerings of the people.
The faithful laborer is worthy of his hire; for the ox that treads out the corn should not be muzzled; and they that preach the Gospel should live, not riot, by the Gospel. But wo to that man who enters into the labor for the sake of the hire! he knows not Christ; and how can he preach him? |
9 For [1063] ye remember [3421], brethren [80], our [2257] labour [2873] and [2532] travail [3449]: for [1063] labouring [2038] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250], because [4314] we would [1912] not [3361] be chargeable [1912] unto any [5100] of you [5216], we preached [2784] unto [1519] you [5209] the gospel [2098] of God [2316].
47 Which [3739] devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a shew [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayers [4336]: the same [3778] shall receive [2983] greater [4055] damnation [2917].
40 Which devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a pretence [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayers [4336]: these [3778] shall receive [2983] greater [4055] damnation [2917].
14 For [1063] many [4183] are [1526] called [2822], but [1161] few [3641] are chosen [1588].
17 For [1063] we are [2070] not [3756] as [5613] many [4183], which corrupt [2585] the word [3056] of God [2316]: but [235] as [5613] of [1537] sincerity [1505], but [235] as [5613] of [1537] God [2316], in the sight [2714] of God [2316] speak we [2980] in [1722] Christ [5547].
21 If I have lifted up [05130] my hand [03027] against the fatherless [03490], when I saw [07200] my help [05833] in the gate [08179]:
22 Then let mine arm [03802] fall [05307] from my shoulder blade [07929], and mine arm [0248] be broken [07665] from the bone [07070].
10 Ye [5210] are witnesses [3144], and [2532] God [2316] also, how [5613] holily [3743] and [2532] justly [1346] and [2532] unblameably [274] we behaved ourselves [1096] among you [5213] that believe [4100]:
42 And Jonathan [03083] said [0559] to David [01732], Go [03212] in peace [07965], forasmuch as we have sworn [07650] both [08147] of us in the name [08034] of the LORD [03068], saying [0559], The LORD [03068] be between me and thee, and between my seed [02233] and thy seed [02233] for [05704] ever [05769]. And he arose [06965] and departed [03212]: and Jonathan [03083] went [0935] into the city [05892].
23 And as touching the matter [01697] which thou and I have spoken [01696] of, behold, the LORD [03068] be between thee and me for [05704] ever [05769].
6 And Samuel [08050] said [0559] unto the people [05971], It is the LORD [03068] that advanced [06213] Moses [04872] and Aaron [0175], and that brought [05927] your fathers [01] up [05927] out of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714].
5 And he said [0559] unto them, The LORD [03068] is witness [05707] against you, and his anointed [04899] is witness [05707] this day [03117], that ye have not found [04672] ought [03972] in my hand [03027]. And they answered [0559], He is witness [05707].
50 If thou shalt afflict [06031] my daughters [01323], or if thou shalt take [03947] other wives [0802] beside [05921] my daughters [01323], no man [0376] is with us; see [07200], God [0430] is witness [05707] betwixt me and thee.
44 Now therefore come thou [03212], let us make [03772] a covenant [01285], I and thou; and let it be for a witness [05707] between me and thee.
10 Ye [5210] are witnesses [3144], and [2532] God [2316] also, how [5613] holily [3743] and [2532] justly [1346] and [2532] unblameably [274] we behaved ourselves [1096] among you [5213] that believe [4100]:
8 For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] record [3144], how [5613] greatly I long after [1971] you [5209] all [3956] in [1722] the bowels [4698] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
23 Moreover [1161] I [1473] call [1941] God [2316] for a record [3144] upon [1909] my [1699] soul [5590], that [3754] to spare [5339] you [5216] I came [2064] not as yet [3765] unto [1519] Corinth [2882].
9 For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] witness [3144], whom [3739] I serve [3000] with [1722] my [3450] spirit [4151] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of his [846] Son [5207], that [5613] without ceasing [89] I make [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] always [3842] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];
22 If [1508] I had [2064] not [1508] come [2064] and [2532] spoken [2980] unto them [846], they had [2192] not [3756] had [2192] sin [266]: but [1161] now [3568] they have [2192] no [3756] cloke [4392] for [4012] their [846] sin [266].
5 For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].
11 This [3778] is [2076] the stone [3037] which [3588] was set at nought [1848] of [5259] you [5216] builders [3618], which [3588] is become [1096] the head [2776] of [1519] the corner [1137].
17 And [1161] he beheld [1689] them [846], and said [2036], What [5101] is [2076] this [5124] then [3767] that is written [1125], The stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] rejected [593], the same [3778] is become [1096] the head [2776] of [1519] the corner [1137]?
10 And have ye [314] not [3761] read [314] this [5026] scripture [1124]; The stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] rejected [593] is [3778] [1096] become [1519] the head [2776] of the corner [1137]:
42 Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto them [846], Did ye [314] never [3763] read [314] in [1722] the scriptures [1124], The stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] rejected [593], the same [3778] is become [1096] [1519] the head [2776] of the corner [1137]: this [3778] is [3844] the Lord's [2962] doing [1096], and [2532] it is [2076] marvellous [2298] in [1722] our [2257] eyes [3788]?
7 But [235] made [2758] himself [1438] of no reputation [2758], and took upon him [2983] the form [3444] of a servant [1401], and was made [1096] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of men [444]:
7 But [1161] if [1487] the ministration [1248] of death [2288], written [1722] [1121] and engraven [1795] in [1722] stones [3037], was [1096] glorious [1722] [1391], so [5620] that the children [5207] of Israel [2474] could [1410] not [3361] stedfastly behold [816] the face [1519] [4383] of Moses [3475] for [1223] the glory [1391] of his [846] countenance [4383]; which [3588] glory was to be done away [2673]:
17 And [1161] it came to pass [1096], that, when I [3427] was come again [5290] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419], even [2532] while I [3450] prayed [4336] in [1722] the temple [2411], I [3165] was [1096] in [1722] a trance [1611];
44 And [2532] being [1096] in [1722] an agony [74] he prayed [4336] more earnestly [1617]: and [1161] his [846] sweat [2402] was [1096] as it were [5616] great drops [2361] of blood [129] falling down [2597] to [1909] the ground [1093].
10 Ye [5210] are witnesses [3144], and [2532] God [2316] also, how [5613] holily [3743] and [2532] justly [1346] and [2532] unblameably [274] we behaved ourselves [1096] among you [5213] that believe [4100]: