For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
Parallel translations
- WEB For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.
- KJV For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
- NKJV For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
- NASB For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
- NLT So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul's preaching sprang from no error, impure motive, or trickery. His message and methods were honest and pure.
Overview
Paul distinguishes his ministry from that of manipulative wandering teachers common in the ancient world. His appeal was free of doctrinal error, moral impurity, and deceitful manipulation. This integrity authenticates the gospel, for the truth of God does not advance by trickery.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 2 Cor 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- 2 Cor 2:17For 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.
- 1 Th 4:7For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
- 1 Th 2:5–6As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
- 2 Cor 12:16–18Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
- 2 Cor 7:2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
- 1 Sam 12:3Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- 2 Cor 4:5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Pet 1:16For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
- Num 16:15Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
- Acts 20:33–34I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
- 2 Cor 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 1 Th 2:11For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- 2 Th 2:11For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,
- 1 Th 4:1–2Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 2:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.