1 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 4

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.
1 Thessalonians 2:4, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:4 in other translations

BSBInstead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
WEBBut even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak—not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.
ASVbut even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.
YLTbut as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who is proving our hearts,
DARBYbut even as we have been approved of God to have the glad tidings entrusted to us, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who proves our hearts.
BBEBut even as the good news was given to us by the approval of God, so we give it out; not as pleasing men, but God by whom our hearts are tested.
WebsterBut as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. as--according as; even as. allowed--Greek, "We have been approved on trial," "deemed fit." This word corresponds to "God which trieth our hearts" below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Ac 9:15; 1Co 7:25; 2Co 3:5; 1Ti 1:11, 12). not as pleasing--not as persons who seek to please men; characteristic of false teachers (Ga 1:10).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel. Comp. @1Ti 1:11,12. Since there had been committed to us an office so high and holy, and so much demanding sincerity, fidelity, and honesty, we endeavoured to act in all respects in conformity to the trust reposed in us. The gospel is a system of truth and sincerity, and we evinced the same. The gospel is concerned with great realities, and we did not resort to trick and illusion. The office of the ministry is most responsible, and we acted in view of the great account which we must render. The meaning is, that Paul had such a sense of the truth, reality, and importance of the gospel, and of his responsibility, as effectually to keep him from anything like craft or cunning in preaching it. An effectual restrainer from mere management and trick will always be found in a deep conviction of the truth and importance of religion. Artifice and cunning are the usual accompaniments of a bad cause; and, when adopted by a minister of the gospel, will usually, when detected, leave the impression that he feels that he is engaged in such a cause. If an object cannot be secured by sincerity and straight-forward dealing, it is not desirable that it should be secured at all.

Even so we speak. In accordance with the nature of the gospel; with the truth and sincerity which such a cause demands.

Not as pleasing men. Not in the manner of impostors, who make it their object to please men. The meaning of the apostle is, that he did not aim to teach such doctrines as would flatter men; as would win their applause; or as would gratify their passions or their fancy. We are not to suppose that he desired to offend men; or that he regarded their esteem as of no value; or that he was indifferent whether they were pleased or displeased; but that it was not the direct object of his preaching to please them. It was to declare the truth, and to obtain the approbation of God, whatever men might think of it.

Gal 1:10.

Which trieth our hearts. It is often said to be an attribute of God that he tries or searches the hearts of men, 1Chr 28:9, 29:17; Jer 11:20, 17:10, Ps 11:4, Rom 8:27. The meaning here is, that the apostle had a deep conviction of the truth that God knew all his motives, and that all would be revealed in the last day.

(a) "trust with" 1Timm 1:11,12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 But as we were allowed of God - Καθως δεδοκιμασμεθα· As we were accounted worthy to be put in trust - as God put confidence in us, and sent us on his most especial message to mankind, even so we speak, keeping the dignity of our high calling continually in view; and, acting as in the sight of God, we speak not to please or flatter men, though our doctrine is the most consolatory that can be conceived, but to please that God who searcheth the heart, and before whom all our motives are constantly without a veil.

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 2:4 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.

ἀλλὰallabutG235
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
δεδοκιμάσμεθαdedokimasmethawe have been approvedG1381
ὑπὸhupobyG5259
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
πιστευθῆναιpisteuthēnaito be entrusted withG4100
τὸtotheG3588
εὐαγγέλιον,euangeliongospel,G2098
οὕτωςhoutōssoG3779
λαλοῦμεν,laloumenwe speak,G2980
οὐχouchnotG3756
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἀνθρώποιςanthrōpoismenG444
ἀρέσκοντεςareskontespleasingG700
ἀλλὰallabutG235
θεῷtheōas GodG2316
τῷtōwhoG3588
δοκιμάζοντιdokimazontiis examiningG1381
τὰςtastheG3588
καρδίαςkardiasheartsG2588
ἡμῶν.hēmōnof us.G3165

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

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 2:4

  • Galatians 1:10

    For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

  • Romans 8:27

    And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

  • Galatians 2:7

    But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

  • 2 Timothy 1:14

    That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

  • Psalms 17:3

    Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • 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.

  • Ephesians 6:6

    Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

  • Titus 1:3

    But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Jeremiah 32:19

    Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

    Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
as we.
1Co 7:25; Eph 3:8; 1Ti 1:11-13
to be.
Lu 12:42; 16:11; 1Co 4:1,2; 9:17; Ga 2:7; 1Ti 1:11,12; 6:20; 2Ti 1:14
2Ti 2:2; Tit 1:3
not.
1Co 2:4,5; 2Co 4:2; 5:11,16; Ga 1:10; Eph 6:6; Col 3:22
but God.
Nu 27:16; 1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 29:17; Ps 7:9; 17:3; 44:21; 139:1,2
Pr 17:3; Jer 17:10; 32:19; Joh 2:24,25; 21:17; Ro 8:27; Heb 4:13
Re 2:23

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5

    For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Sino según fuimos aprobados de Dios para que se nos encargase el evangelio, así hablamos; no como los que agradan á los hombres, sino á Dios, el cual prueba nuestros corazones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais comme nous avons été approuvés de Dieu pour que l’évangile nous soit confié, nous parlons ainsi, non comme plaisant aux hommes, mais à Dieu qui éprouve nos cœurs.
German
Elberfelder 1871		sondern so, wie wir von Gott bewährt worden sind, mit dem Evangelium betraut zu werden, also reden wir, nicht um Menschen zu gefallen, sondern Gott, der unsere Herzen prüft.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		sed sicut probati sumus a Deo ut crederetur nobis Evangelium: ita loquimur non quasi hominibus placentes, sed Deo, qui probat corda nostra.