1 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 3

1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1 Thessalonians 2:3, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:3 in other translations

BSBFor our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
WEBFor our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.
ASVFor our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
YLTfor our exhortation is not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile,
DARBYFor our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile;
BBEFor our witness does not come from error or from an unclean heart or from deceit:
WebsterFor our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile;

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. For--The ground of his "boldness" (1Th 2:2), his freedom from all "deceit, uncleanness, and guile"; guile, before God, deceit (Greek, "imposture"), towards men (compare 2Co 1:12; 2:17; Ep 4:14); uncleanness, in relation to one's self (impure motives of carnal self-gratification in gain, 1Th 2:5), or lust; such as actuated false teachers of the Gentiles (Php 1:16; 2Pe 2:10, 14; Jude 8; Re 2:14, 15). So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [Estius]. exhortation--The Greek means "consolation" as well as "exhortation." The same Gospel which exhorts comforts. Its first lesson to each is that of peace in believing amidst outward and inward sorrows. It comforts them that mourn (compare 1Th 2:11; Is 61:2, 3; 2Co 1:3, 4). of--springing from--having its source in--deceit, &c.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For our exhortation. That is, the exhortation to embrace the gospel. The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general. The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become Christians were not such as to delude them.

Was not of deceit. Was not founded on sophistry. The apostle means to say, that the Thessalonians knew that his manner of preaching was not such as was adopted by the advocates of error.

Nor of uncleanness.--Not such as to lead to an impure life. It was such as to lead to holiness and purity. The apostle appeals to what they knew to be the tendency of his doctrine as an evidence that it was true. Most of the teaching of the heathen philosophers led to a life of licentiousness and corruption. The tendency of the gospel was just the reverse.

Nor in guile. Not by the arts of deceit. There was no craftiness or trick, such as could not bear a severe scrutiny. No point was carried by art, cunning, or stratagem. Everything was done on the most honourable and fair principles. It is much when a man can say that he has never endeavoured to accomplish anything by mere trick, craft, or cunning. Sagacity and shrewdness are always allowable in ministers as well as others; trick and cunning never. Yet stratagem often takes the place of sagacity, and trick is often miscalled shrewdness. Guile, craft, cunning, imply deception, and can never be reconciled with that entire honesty which a minister of the gospel, and all other Christians, ought to possess. 2Cor 12:16. Comp. Ps 32:2, 34:13, Jn 1:47, 1Pet 2:1,22, Rev 14:5.

(d) "deceit" 2Pet 1:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 Our exhortation - The word παρακλησιςhas a very extensive meaning; it signifies not only exhortation and teaching in general, but also encouragement, consolation, and the like. When the apostles exhorted or admonished men, it was that they should turn from evil to good, from misery to happiness, from Satan to God, and from hell to heaven. Their exhortations having this object, every word was consolatory; and as the truth which they delivered was unquestionable, therefore their ministry was a subject of the highest encouragement and joy. Not of deceit - We did not endeavor to allure you with false pretences; we did not deceive you, nor were we deceived ourselves. Nor of uncleanness - Such as the teachings of the Gentile philosophers were; their supreme gods were celebrated for their adulteries, fornications, uncleannesses, thefts, barbarities, and profligacies of the most odious kind. Our Gospel was pure; came from the pure and holy God; was accompanied with the influences of the Holy Spirit, and produced purity both in the hearts and lives of all that received it. Nor in guile - We had no false pretences, and were influenced by no sinister motives.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

The apostle had no wordly design in his preaching. Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and against opposition. And as the matter of the apostle's exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was without guile. The gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 →

1 Thessalonians 2:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἡhē<the>G3588
γὰρgarForG1063
παράκλησιςparaklēsisthe exhortationG3874
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
οὐκouk[is] notG3756
ἐκekofG1537
πλάνηςplanēserrorG4106
οὐδὲoudenorG3761
ἐξexofG1537
ἀκαθαρσίαςakatharsiasimpurityG167
οὐδὲoudenorG3761
ἐνeninG1722
δόλῳ·dolōtrickery;G1388

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 2:3

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But 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.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:7

    For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

    For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:16-18

    But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

  • 2 Corinthians 7:2

    Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

  • 2 Peter 1:16

    For 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • Numbers 16:15

    And 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.

  • 1 Samuel 12:3

    Behold, 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.

  • Acts 20:33-34

    I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13

    For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5,6,11; 4:1,2; Nu 16:15; 1Sa 12:3; Ac 20:33,34; 2Co 2:17; 4:2,5; 7:2
2Co 11:13; 12:16-18; 2Pe 1:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:2

    But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3

    For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:4

    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.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque nuestra exhortación no fué de error, ni de inmundicia, ni por engaño;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car notre exhortation n’a eu pour principe ni séduction, ni impureté, et nous n’y avons pas usé de ruse;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn unsere Ermahnung war nicht aus Betrug, noch aus Unreinigkeit, noch mit List;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Exhortatio enim nostra non de errore, neque de immunditia, neque in dolo,