For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
Parallel translations
- WEB For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.
- BSB For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
- 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 4:2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- 2 Cor 2:17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
- 1 Th 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
- 1 Th 2:5–6For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
- 2 Cor 12:16–18But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
- 2 Cor 7:2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
- 1 Sam 12:3Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
- 2 Cor 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Pet 1:16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
- Num 16:15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
- Acts 20:33–34I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
- 2 Cor 11:13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
- 1 Th 2:11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
- 2 Th 2:11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
- 1 Th 4:1–2Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and 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.