5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
5 For we never came with words of flattery,
5 We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is witness.
5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
10 You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders!
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
10 You yourselves are our witnesses-and so is God-that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers.
(Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12)
Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. Our great gospel privilege is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as becomes those called with such a high and holy calling. Our great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:5
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
(Read 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 corrupt affections, and that men may be brought under the power of faith. This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts, that we must receive our reward. The evidences of the apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-glory.