Context 5For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greedGod is witness 6nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. 17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short whilein person, not in spiritwere all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18For we wanted to come to youI, Paul, more than onceand yet Satan hindered us. 19For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20For you are our glory and joy. Parallel Verses American Standard VersionFor neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; 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: Darby Bible Translation For we have not at any time been among you with flattering discourse, even as ye know, nor with a pretext for 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; 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!) Library The BibleTHE WORD OF GOD "When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13.) THE Apostle here testifies that he believes himself to be the bearer of a revelation direct from God; that the words he speaks and the words he writes are not the words of man, but the Word of God, warm with his breath, filled with his thoughts, and stamped with his will. In this same epistle he writes: "For this we say unto … I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible Thessalonica and Berea Laboring under Difficulties The Calling of the Regenerate: The Protevangelium. Effectual Calling Links 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NIV • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NLT • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 ESV • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NASB • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 KJV • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Bible Apps • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Parallel • Bible Hub |