1 Thessalonians 2:4

Contextual Overview

¹ Brothers and sisters, you know that our visit to you was not a failure. ¹ For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain; ¹ For ye youre selves knowe brethren of oure entraunce in vnto you howe that it was not in vayne: ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you hasn't been found vain, ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain, ¹ Brothers and sisters, you know our visit to you was not a failure. ¹ For yourselves, brothers, know our entering in to you, that it has not been found vain: ¹ For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you hasn't been found vain,

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 heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the sky and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1
In the bigynnyng God made of nouyt heuene and erthe.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth --

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

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.