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King James Version

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Agency;   Flattery;   God Continued...;   Heart;   Integrity;   Minister, Christian;   Preaching;   Sincerity;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Divine;   Favour, Divine;   Favour-Disfavour;   God;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Pleasing God;   Religious;   Stewardship;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ministers;   Simplicity;   Sincerity;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ethics;   Gospel;   Heart;   Steward;   Tongue;   Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Delight;   Evangelize, Evangelism;   Gospel;   Temptation, Test;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Pardon;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Heart ;   Quotations;   Temptation, Trial;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Refiner;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Approve;   Foreknow;   Omniscience;   Paul, the Apostle;   Preacher;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;   Thessalonians, the Second Epistle of Paul to the;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
No, we did it because God is the one who gave us this work. And this was only after he tested us and saw that we could be trusted to do it. So when we speak, we are only trying to please God, not anyone else. He is the one who can see what is in our hearts.
Revised Standard Version
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
but as we were alowed of God that the gospell shuld be comitted vnto vs: even so we speake not as though we entended to please men but God which trieth oure hertes.
Hebrew Names Version
But 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.
New American Standard Bible
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.
New Century Version
But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.
Update Bible Version
but even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts.
Webster's Bible Translation
But 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.
English Standard Version
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
World English Bible
But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who trieth our hearts.
Weymouth's New Testament
But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but as we ben preued of God, that the gospel of God schulde be takun to vs, so we speken; not as plesynge to men, but to God that preueth oure hertis.
English Revised Version
but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God which proveth our hearts.
Berean Standard Bible
Instead, 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.
Contemporary English Version
God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn't speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.
Amplified Bible
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best].
American Standard Version
but 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.
Bible in Basic English
But 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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Instead, since God has tested us and found us fit to be entrusted with Good News, this is how we speak: not to win favor with people but with God, who tests our hearts.
Darby Translation
but 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.
International Standard Version
Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.Proverbs 17:3; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 9:17; Galatians 1:10; 2:7; 1 Timothy 1:11-12; Titus 1:3;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
but as approved of Aloha to be intrusted with his gospel, so speaking as not to please men, but Aloha who trieth our hearts.
Murdock Translation
but as we had been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who searcheth our hearts.
King James Version (1611)
But as we were allowed of God to bee put in trust with the Gospel, euen so wee speake, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
New Living Translation
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
New Life Bible
God has allowed us to be trusted with the Good News. Because of this, we preach it to please God, not man. God tests and proves our hearts.
New Revised Standard
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But as we were allowed of God, that the Gospel should be committed vnto vs, so we speake, not as they that please men, but God, which approoueth our hearts.
George Lamsa Translation
But just as we have been examined by God to be entrusted with his gospel, even so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who searches our hearts.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, even as we have been approved by God, to be entrusted with the glad-message, so, we speak, - not as, unto men, giving pleasure, but unto God - who proveth our hearts.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But as it were alowed of God, to be put in credite with the Gospell: euen so we speake, not as pleasyng men, but God, which tryeth our heartes.
Good News Translation
Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives.
Christian Standard Bible®
Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
Lexham English Bible
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.
Literal Translation
but even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not as pleasing men, but God, the One trying our hearts.
Young's Literal Translation
but 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,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
but as we are alowed of God, that the Gospell shulde be commytted vnto vs to preache, euen so we speake, not as though we wolde please me, but God, which tryeth oure hertes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity.
New English Translation
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.
New King James Version
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We were bold and honest. God gave us a job of gathering the lost and bringing back those who strayed away. He told us to brand those who believed with the Holy Ghost. Even then, we weren't trying to be cool in people's eyes. We did this to be right with God and do the job he entrusted us with.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Legacy Standard Bible
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

Contextual Overview

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 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. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 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. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

as we: 1 Corinthians 7:25, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:11-13

to be: Luke 12:42, Luke 16:11, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Corinthians 9:17, Galatians 2:7, 1 Timothy 1:11, 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:3

not: 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Galatians 1:10, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:22

but God: Numbers 27:16, 1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 17:3, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 139:1, Psalms 139:2, Proverbs 17:3, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 32:19, John 2:24, John 2:25, John 21:17, Romans 8:27, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:17 - ye shall not Deuteronomy 33:9 - Who said Judges 6:27 - and did 2 Kings 16:16 - General 2 Chronicles 18:13 - even what my God Job 33:3 - the Matthew 22:16 - neither Mark 12:14 - we know Luke 20:21 - sayest Acts 12:3 - he saw Acts 20:27 - I have Romans 2:29 - whose 2 Timothy 2:4 - that he 2 Timothy 2:15 - approved Hebrews 11:5 - that he

Cross-References

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
Genesis 10:1
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
Genesis 11:10
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
Genesis 25:12
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But as we were allowed of God,.... Or, "approved of God"; not that there were any previous fitness and worthiness in them to be ministers of the word; but such was the good will and pleasure of God, that he from all eternity chose and appointed them to this work; and in his own time by his grace called them to it, and by his gifts qualified them for it, who otherwise were unworthy of it, and insufficient for it:

to be put in trust with the Gospel; which is of great worth and value, a rich treasure, and of the last importance; which to be trusted with is a very great honour; and the discharge of such a trust requires great faithfulness, and which the apostles had:

even so we speak; the Gospel as delivered to them, both as to matter and manner; neither taking from it nor adding to it, nor mixing it with anything of their own, nor disguising it with any artifice:

not as pleasing men; to gain favour and affection, esteem, applause, and honour from them; to escape reproach and persecution, and obtain worldly advantages by dropping, concealing, or blending of truths to make them more agreeable to the taste of natural men:

but God, which trieth our hearts; studying to approve themselves to God, whose Gospel was committed to them, from whom they received gifts to preach it, and to whom they were accountable for all; and who being the searcher of the hearts, and the trier of the reins of the children of men, knows the intentions and designs of men, and the springs of all actions; and sees through all artifices, and from whom nothing can be hidden, and who will, in his own time, bring to light the hidden things of darkness; under a sense of which faithful ministers act, as of sincerity, and as in the sight of an omniscient God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel - Compare 1 Timothy 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 endeavored 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 people. The meaning of the apostle is, that he did not aim to teach such doctrines as would flatter people; as would win their applause; or as would gratify their passions or their fancy. We are not to suppose that he desired to offend people; 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 people might think of it; see the notes on Galatians 1:10.

Which trieth our hearts - It is often said to be an attribute of God that he tries or searches the hearts of people; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10; Psalms 11:4; Romans 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Thessalonians 2:4. 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.


 
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