Preface: This is Paul’s first letter to a local church which became a part of the canon of Scripture. In this second chapter, he speaks about his team evangelizing the Thessalonians and how they responded positively. The number of times that Paul uses the terms we, us and you (all) is quite remarkable.

Bible Summary: We shared the gospel with you and also our lives. You suffered like the churches in Judea. We tried to see you. Are you not our crown?

This should be the most extensive examination of 1Thessalonians 2 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview:

Outline of Chapter 2:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of 1Thessalonians 2 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of 1Thessalonians 2 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About 1Thessalonians 2

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to 1Thessalonians 2

         Introduction         The Principals of 1Thessalonians 2

         Introduction         The Places of 1Thessalonians 2

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of 1Thessalonians 2

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of 1Thessalonians 2 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of 1Thessalonians 2 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (1Thessalonians 1–5)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

         v. 

         v. 

         v.       2              Acts 16:16–24 — Paul and Company in Philippi

         v. 

         v.       4              The Heart (Briefly)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.       9              The Financial Policy of Berachah Church

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      13              Spiritual Growth in the Life of the New Believer

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why 1Thessalonians 2 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from 1Thessalonians 2

         Summary            Jesus Christ in 1Thessalonians 2

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of 1Thessalonians 2

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught 1Thessalonians 2

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of 1Thessalonians 2

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of 1Thessalonians 2

——————————

An Introduction to 1Thessalonians 2

I ntroduction: 1Thessalonians 2 focuses on Paul’s specific messages and approach to the people in Thessalonica. He tells them that God has tested him for approval; and that his teaching was not confused by error, deceit or mixed motivations.

Even though much of the material in 1Thessalonians 1–2 is fairly basic (for instance, Paul did not come to them in deceit, in error or with mixed motives); this would have been true of Paul throughout his ministry and these things could have been stated in every epistle (there is no need for that; I am just saying these things would have been accurate to say in any of Paul’s epistles).

The fact that I am pointing out that some of the material in this epistle is fairly basic, that is not said in order to deprecate Paul or the epistle itself. Paul did not start out at 0 the day he was first saved; and then went to 100 by the time he began his missionary tours. Paul grew, day-by-day, bit by bit. I think that we will see, by following his epistles out in the time that they were written that, he built his theology brick by brick. Paul’s theology is Church Age doctrine. God chose for Paul to be His vessel for the teaching of Bible doctrine. God did not choose Peter or even John to do that. In fact, even Jesus did not teach much about the Church Age. What appears to be the emphasis for early teaching is positional truth. Jesus taught that in the upper room discourse; and this was essentially what Jesus taught to Paul when He knocked him off his horse (or whatever he was riding). “When you pursue and persecute believers, you are pursuing and persecuting Me!” Jesus told Saul (Paul). That is positional truth.

One thing which I have observed in the first to chapters is Paul’s continued use of us and you (all). I don’t know that word clouds include pronouns (I don’t think the program I use does), but that would certainly stand out.

——————————

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    For you yourselves have seen, [O] brothers, the entrance of us, the [entrance] face to face with you [all], that not vain it has been. But suffering and having been abused, just as you [all] have seen in Philippi. We spoke freely in the God of us, to speak face to face with you [all], the proclamation [of the good news] of the God in much opposition.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      For you yourselves know, brothers, regarding our coming to you, that it was not in vain.

But suffering before and being spitefully treated at Philippi, just as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much conflict.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But having suffered many things before and been shamefully treated, (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Eastern Aramaic Mnscrpts     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And ye yourselves, my brethren, know our entrance among you, that it was not in vain:

but we first suffered and were treated with indignity, as ye know, at Philippi; and then, in a great agony, with confidence in our God, we addressed to you the gospel of the Messiah.

Original Aramaic NT              And you know, my brethren, that our introduction to you has not been for nothing.

But first we suffered and we were abused in Philippus as you know, and then in a great struggle we spoke The Gospel of The Messiah* with you in the boldness of our God.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             For you yourselves, brothers, are conscious that our coming among you was not without effect: 

But after we had first undergone much pain and been cruelly attacked as you saw, at Philippi, by the help of God we gave you the good news without fear, though everything was against us.

Bible in Worldwide English     My brothers, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not for nothing.

The people at the city of Philippi treated us very badly. As you know, we had much trouble. But God helped us, and we did not fear to tell you Gods good news. But many things were against us and tried to stop us.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Brothers and sisters, you know that our visit to you was not a failure. Before we came to you, people in Philippi abused us with insults and made us suffer. You know all about that. And then, when we came to you, many people there caused trouble for us. But our God gave us the courage we needed to tell you his Good News.

God’s Word™                         You know, brothers and sisters, that our time with you was not wasted. As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment in Philippi. But our God gave us the courage to tell you his Good News in spite of strong opposition.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Our friends, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure. You know how we had already been mistreated and insulted in Philippi before we came to you in Thessalonica. And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the Good News that comes from him.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       My friends, you know that our time with you wasn't wasted. As you remember, we had been mistreated and insulted at Philippi. But God gave us the courage to tell you the good news about him, even though many people caused us trouble.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        My dear brothers and sisters, it’s obvious that our ministry among you has proven to be fruitful.  And though we had already suffered greatly in Philippi, where we were shamefully mistreated, we were emboldened by faith in our God to fearlessly preach his wonderful gospel to you in spite of incredible opposition.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  My fellow believers, you know that our time with you was very worthwhile. Although people in Philippi city previously mistreated us and insulted us, as you know, God caused us to be courageous. As a result, we told you the good news that God sent us to tell you, even though some people in your city opposed us very much.

Williams’ New Testament      For you know yourselves, brothers, that our visit to you was by no means a failure. But, although we had just suffered and been insulted, as you remember, at Philippi, we again summoned courage by the help of God, in spite of the terrific strain, to tell you God's good news.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            You see, you yourselves, brothers, realize our inroad to you that it has not become meaningless. But after we previously suffered and were injured (just as you know) in Philippi, we spoke openly in our God to speak God's good news to you in a great struggle.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           For yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but even after we had suffered previously and were shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold, because of our God, to tell you the gospel of God in the face of much contention.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance among you, that it was not in vain. For although we had before suffered, and were shamefully handled, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold, through our God, to speak to you the gospel of God, amidst a great combat.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament Yes, Brothers, you yourselves know that your reception of us was not without result. For, although we had experienced suffering and ill-treatment, as you know, at Philippi, we had the courage, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News in spite of great opposition.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.  As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                .

Free Bible Version                 Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know what our visit meant to you, and that it wasn’t wasted! You’ll recall that after having had much trouble and bad treatment at Philippi, with the help of God we still dared to share God’s good news with you, despite the opposition we faced.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

International Standard V        Paul Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his [Lit. God’s] gospel in spite of strong opposition.

Lexham Bible                         Paul’s Approach to Ministry in Thessalonica

For you yourselves know, brothers, our reception with you, that it was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, just as you know, we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

Montgomery NT                     For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose; for you remember that although I had already borne ill-treatment and insult at Philippi, I took courage in my God to tell you the gospel of God, in the face of much opposition.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      YOU yourselves know, brethren, what a reception we had from you, that it was not without result, but after we had suffered and been roughly treated, as you know, in Philippi, we made bold in our God to speak to you the good news of God with great wrestling.

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      For you know, brothers, our introduction to you that it was not in vain, but having suffered before, and been injuriously treated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Weymouth New Testament    .

Wikipedia Bible Project          You yourselves, brothers, know that our visit to you was not for nothing,

But, even after we had previously suffered and been treated shamefully, as you are aware, in Philippi, we were made brave by our God, in order to preach the Gospel of God to you, with much opposition.

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Brothers, you know that our stay among you was fruitful. Before we arrived there, as you know, we had suffered and had been insulted in the city of Philippi. But with our God’s help, we dared to tell you God’s Good News, even when some people strongly opposed us.

The Scriptures 2009              For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.  But having suffered before and having been mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our Elohim to speak to you the Good News of Elohim in much struggle.

Tree of Life Version                For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not in vain. On the contrary, after we had first suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to tell you the Good News of God—even in the midst of much opposition.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...You* for have seen Brothers the entrance [of] us the [one] to you* for not Empty [She] has become but Suffering (Before) and Being Abused as [You*] have seen {it} in philippi* [We] speak (openly) in the god [of] us to speak to you* the news (good) [of] the god in much opposition...

Alpha & Omega Bible            FOR YOU YOURSELVES KNOW, BRETHREN, THAT OUR COMING TO YOU WAS NOT IN VAIN,

BUT AFTER WE HAD ALREADY SUFFERED AND BEEN MISTREATED IN PHILIPPI, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE BOLDNESS IN OUR THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) TO SPEAK TO YOU THE GOSPEL OF THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) AMID MUCH OPPOSITION.

Awful Scroll Bible                   For yous of the same-womb have perceived our way-in towards yous, certainly-of-which it has not happened in vain.

Notwithstanding, even suffering-sadly-beforehand, and being treated insolently, accordingly-as-to yous have perceived from-within Philippi, we are all-expressive by-within our God, to speak with regards to yous the announcing-of-the-Good-Tidings of God, from-among much contention.

Concordant Literal Version    For you yourselves are aware, brethren, that our entrance to you has not come to be for naught,

but, though suffering before and being outraged in Philippi, according as you are aware, we are bold in our God to speak the evangel of God to you with a vast struggle."

exeGeses companion Bible   THE MINISTRY OF THESSALONIKEUS

For brothers,

you yourselves know our entrance to you,

that it became not in vain:

but even after we previously suffered

and were insulted at Philippi

- exactly as you know

we were bold in our Elohim to speak to you

the evangelism of Elohim in much agony.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           But you yourselves know, Chaverim b'Moshiach, that our initial reception with you was not empty of result.

On the contrary, having suffered before and having been shamefully persecuted (as you know) in Philippi, we had the chozek b'Eloheinu (strength in our G-d) to speak to you the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem in the face of tzorrim rabbim (great and oppressive enemy opposition).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   For you brothers [should] know that our coming to you was not a waste of time. But [even though] we had already suffered and been mistreated at Philippi [See Acts 16:19-24], as you people know, we had the boldness, [with help] from God, to tell you His message in spite of much struggle [i.e., opposition].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             For you yourselves have seen and perceived (thus: know; are aware), brothers (= fellow members of the Body), that our entrance (or: way into; introduction) toward you has not been produced, birthed or come to be empty (without contents; = useless or without results),

but rather, after previously experiencing ill treatment and being outraged (subjected to insolent, riotous, or insulting behavior) in Philippi, according as you are aware, we spoke freely and boldly – publicly, as is the right of citizens – within, and in union with, our God, [proceeding at once] to utter God's message of goodness (or: the good news from God; the message of ease and well-being, which is God) toward you in the midst of much striving (conflict; arguing; or: within a large stadium or racecourse; or: in much agony of struggle).

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         .

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica
Now you know, brothers and sisters, that the welcome we had from you wasn’t for nothing. Just the opposite. As you know, before we came to you, we had suffered and had been humiliated in Philippi.^a Yet thanks to our God,^b we were totally open in telling you God’s good news, in the midst of lots of opposition.

^a.Prn. fil-lip-pye.

^b.Lit. “in our God” or “by our God”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica
Now you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you did not happen without purpose. Rather, in spite of having already suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, we made bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God, in the face of strong opposition.¹

(1) They deliberately chose to pay a personal price to reach the Thessalonians. Are we prepared to do the same for the increase of Christ’s Kingdom today?

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  For you_p yourselves know, brothers [and sisters], our entrance to you_p, that it did not become empty [fig., was not without results].

But having suffered previously and having been mistreated (as you_p know) in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to youp the Gospel of God in much conflict [or, amid much opposition].

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             For you, brethren, yourselves know that entrance of ours among you, that it was not in vain.

Though we indeed had suffered before, and had been treated injuriously, as you know, at Philippi; we had the courage, by the help of our God, to declare to you the glad tidings of God with much earnestness.

Context Group Version          For yourselves, brothers, know our entering in to you (pl), that it has not been found empty: but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you (pl) know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to speak to you (pl) the Imperial News of God in much conflict.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  For* brethren, you° yourselves know our entrance to you°, that it has not become empty. But having suffered before, and having been abused in Philippi {Acts 16:12–40}, just-as you° know, we were bold in our God to speak to you° the good-news of God, even in our large struggle.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   Paul's Conduct, The Thessalonians' Conversion

For you(p) yourselves(p), brethren, know that our coming among you(p) was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were shamefully treated at Philippi, as you(p) know, we were bold in our God to speak unto you(p) the Gospel of God amidst much contention.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

1-2

Translation: For you, brothers, have known our coming directly to you [all],...

Obviously, the Thessalonians remember the circumstances of Paul and the other first coming to them.

Translation: ...that it has not been in vain.

The Thessalonians recognize that Paul coming to them was not in vain. That is, this meeting was very fruitful for all concerned. A considerable number of Thessalonians received eternal life as a result.

1Thessalonians 2:1 For you, brothers, have known our coming directly to you [all], that it has not been in vain. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: Nevertheless, just as you have observed in Philippi [our] suffering and being mistreated [there].

On the other hand, when Paul and company went to Philippi, it was not the same thing. There were some serious problems there, as we read in Acts 16.

This passage is very consistent with the time frame. This took place around the time that Paul and company went to Thessalonica. This horrible miscarriage of justice would still be on Paul’s mind. Now, ten years into the future, the Philippian church was going great guns, they were verb positive toward Paul’s teaching, and this foul circumstance would have been long forgotten.

Paul writes this letter to the Thessalonians around a.d. 50; and the letter to the Philippians ten years later. A lot changed in those ten years.

Is it any wonder that Paul thought that the church at Thessalonica was the greatest church ever (remember what he wrote in 1Thessalonians 1?); and Philippi is a bad memory to him.

Translation: We spoke freely by means of our God,...

In Thessalonica, Paul and his crew were able to speak freely and openly. God made that possible.

Translation: ...speaking face to face with you [all] the declaration of the gospel, in [spite of] much opposition.

Paul and company relayed the gospel message to the Thessalonians; even though there was some opposition to them.

1Thessalonians 2:2 Nevertheless, just as you have observed in Philippi [our] suffering and being mistreated [there]. We spoke freely by means of our God, speaking face to face with you [all] the declaration of the gospel, in [spite of] much opposition. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

1Thessalonians 2:1–2 For you, brothers, have known our coming directly to you [all], that it has not been in vain. Nevertheless, just as you have observed in Philippi [our] suffering and being mistreated [there]. We spoke freely by means of our God, speaking face to face with you [all] the declaration of the gospel, in [spite of] much opposition. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

1Thessalonians 2:1–2 For you, our brothers, fully appreciate our coming to you, that this meeting was not in vain. In the same way, you also have known about our suffering and being maltreated in Philippi. Nevertheless, we spoke freely and opening by means of ours, declaring the gospel mess to all of you, despite there being so much opposition. (Kukis paraphrase)

——————————

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    For the exhortation of us [was] not from error nor from impure motives, nor [was it] by means of guile, but just as we have been tested (and approved) by the God to believe the declaration (of the gospel), so we keep on speaking, not as men (who) keep on pleasing, but in God, in the testing (and approving) the hearts of us.

Complete Apostles Bible        For our exhortation was not from error nor from uncleanness, nor in trickery,

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who is testing our hearts.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit.

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.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic         .

Eastern Aramaic Manuscript  .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT For our exhortation proceeded not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile:

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.

Original Aramaic NT              For our comfort was not from deception nor from impurity, nor by treachery.

But as when we were tested by God to be entrusted with his Gospel, so we speak, not as if we would please the children of men, but God who tests our hearts.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             For our witness does not come from error or from an unclean heart or from deceit: 

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.

Bible in Worldwide English     Our message was not a lie. What we told you was not wrong. And we did not try to fool you. But God chose us to tell people the good news. And so we do not speak to please men, but to please God. He is the one who knows what is in our hearts.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  When we encourage people to believe the Good News, it's not out of wrong motives. We are not trying to trick or fool anyone. 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.

God’s Word™                         When we encouraged you, we didn't use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception. Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don't try to please people but God, who tests our motives.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Our appeal to you is not based on error or impure motives, nor do we try to trick anyone. 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.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       We didn't have any hidden motives when we won you over, and we didn't try to fool or trick anyone. God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn't speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        Our coming alongside you to encourage you was not out of some delusion, or impure motive, or an intention to mislead you, but we have been approved by God to be those who preach the gospel. So our motivation to preach is not pleasing people but pleasing God, who thoroughly examines our hearts.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  When we encouraged you to obey God's message, we did not speak to you something false. And we do not want to get something for ourselves by immoral means. We do not try to deceive you or anyone else. On the contrary, God trusted us to tell you the good news, because he had examined us and considered us to be the right people to do this work. As we teach people, we do not say what they like to hear. Instead, we say what God wants us to say, because he judges everything that we think.

William's New Testament       For our appeal did not originate from a delusion or an impure motive; it was not made in fraud; for since we have been so approved by God as to be entrusted with the good news, we are now telling it, not to please men but God, who proves and finds approved our hearts.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            You see, our encouragement is not from a misleading lie, nor from what is not clean, nor in deception. But just as we have been approved by God to be trusted with the good news, so we speak, not as satisfying people, but God, who approves our hearts.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           For our urgent preaching was not from deceit, impurity, or trickery, but just as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not in a way to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Besides, our exhortation was not from error, nor from impurity, nor with guile. But as we were approved of God, to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament Our appeal to you was not based on a delusion, nor was it made from unworthy motives, or with any intention of misleading you. But, having been found worthy by God to be entrusted with the Good News, therefore we tell it; with a view to please, not men, but God who proves our hearts.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.  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.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

Free Bible Version                 For what we speak about isn’t deceptive, or worthless, or fraudulent. On the contrary, we have God’s approval for what we say—he’s entrusted us with sharing the good news. We don’t set out to please people, but God. He’s the one who judges our motives.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Holman Christian Standard    .

International Standard V        For our appeal to you [The Gk. lacks to you] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. 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.

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit. But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      For our appeal springs not from deception, nor from impure motives, nor from cunning, but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as if we were pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         Because our appeal to you didn’t come out of self-deception, filthiness, or dishonesty.

No-we tell the good news to the extent that we’ve been proven faithful by God to do so. It’s not as though we’re trying to please human beings-not at all. We’re trying to please God, who’s the One who tests our hearts.

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Weymouth New Testament    For our preaching was not grounded on a delusion, nor prompted by mingled motives, nor was there fraud in it. 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.

Wikipedia Bible Project          For our preaching was not a deception or of anything unclean, nor is it fraudulent, In accordance with us being chosen by God, to be entrusted with the Gospel we are not talking as men in order to be pleasing to our fellow man, but to God who tests what is in our hearts.

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               For our comfort did not proceed from deception, nor from impurity, nor enticing speech: but even as we have been approved by YAHWEH to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak not to please men, but to please YAHWEH, the One trying our hearts.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Our plea does not come from false, impure, or tricky motives. No, we talk like men who have been tested by God. He trusted us with the Good News. We don’t talk like men who are trying to please men. No, God tests our hearts.

The Scriptures 2009              For the appeal we make does not come from delusion, nor from uncleanness, nor from deceit.  But as we have been approved by Elohim to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but Elohim who proves our hearts.

Tree of Life Version                For our urging is not out of deceit or impure motives or trickery. But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we declare it—not pleasing men but rather God, who examines our hearts.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...The for Comfort [of] us not {becomes} from error not from impurity not in deceit but as [We] have been tested by the god {us} to be believed the news (good) so [We] speak not as men [We] Pleasing {are} but god the [one] testing the hearts [of] us {We Pleasing are}...

Alpha & Omega Bible            FOR OUR EXHORTATION DOES NOT COME FROM ERROR OR IMPURITY OR IN DECEIT; BUT JUST AS [we have been] APPROVED BY THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE GOSPEL, SO WE SPEAK, NOT AS PLEASING MEN, BUT THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) WHO TRIES OUR HEARTS. †(Interesting, the Greek word for hearts is kardia as in cardiovascular. This shows the Paleo-Hebrew Greek origin of much of our English language. The USA & the British Commonwealth are tribal brothers of Judah that we know as Israel)

Awful Scroll Bible                   For our calling-by was not out of leading astray, and-not out of im-purity, even-not from-within deceit.

However, accordingly-as-to we have been decreed by God, to be consigned with the announcing-of-the-Good-Tidings, the same-as-this we speak, not as accommodating they of the aspects-of-man, however God, He estimating the sensibility of our heart.

Concordant Literal Version    For our entreaty is not out of deception, nor yet out of uncleanness, nor yet with guile"

but, according as we have been tested by God to be entrusted with the evangel, thus are we speaking, not as pleasing men, but God, Who is testing our hearts."

exeGeses companion Bible   For our consolation was neither of seduction,

nor of impurity, nor in deceit:

but exactly as we were proofed of Elohim

to be entrusted with the evangelism,

thus we speak;

not as pleasing humanity

but Elohim who proofs our hearts.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           For our appeal, our eidus (witness of testimony), does not spring from toyus (error) or meshuga delusion or from tum'a (uncleanness) or from remiyah (guile, deceit).

On the contrary, in this way we speak: as persons examined and approved by G-d to be entrusted with the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem, as striving to please not men but Hashem who tests, who examines, our levavot.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   For our appeal [to you was] not based on error, or impure [motives], or deception. Instead, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. So, we speak, not trying to please people but God, who examines [the motives of] our hearts.

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             You see, our calling alongside to assist (our admonition and encouragement; our work as paracletes) [is] not out of wandering (from being led astray; from deception), neither out of uncleanness, nor yet within a bait for entrapping or with guile or craftiness,

but rather, to the degree that and according as we have been approved by testing under God to be entrusted [with] the message of goodness, ease and well-being, thus we are continuously speaking: not as constantly pleasing to people, but rather [as] to the God [Who is] repeatedly testing our hearts!

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         .

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         .

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Further, our exhortation does not spring from delusion or impurity, nor is it in deception, but we speak precisely as those who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,² not so as to please men, but to please the God who evaluates our hearts.³

(2) They knew who they were and what they were about. They deny any form of delusion or hidden agenda—they were honest and aware.

(3) There it is: if you want to be a serious servant of God, His approval must be more important to you than that of the people around you.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  For our exhortation [was] not by deception, nor from an impure [motive], nor in treachery [or, deceit].

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing people, but God, the One examining our hearts [fig., inner selves].

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             .

Context Group Version          For our encouragement [is] not from error, nor from impurity, nor in deceit: but even as we have been validated of God to be entrusted with the Imperial News, we speak accordingly; not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts.

English Standard Version      For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 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.

Far Above All Translation       For our appeal did not stem from error or from uncleanness, nor was it in deceit, but it is according to how we have been approved of by God to be entrusted with the gospel that we speak, not in pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  For* our encouragement is not from deceit, nor from uncleanness, nor in treachery. But just-as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good-news, so we are speaking; not as pleasing men, but it is God who tests our hearts.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard        .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

3-4

Translation: For our persuasive discourse...

Paul makes reference here to his teaching. The word he uses is paráklêsis (παράκλησις) [pronounced par-AK-lay-sis], which means, when considering exactly what Paul did, persuasive discourse, stirring address; instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse. Strong’s #3874. When Paul began teaching, he used a combination of the existing Scriptures (which we call the Old Testament), what he had seen with his own eyes and the life and words of Jesus in an attempt to persuade, stir and instruct.

Translation: ...[was] not from error,...

What Paul presented was not a matter of error. He had not misread the Scriptures, he had not misapplied the Word of God; he was not mistaken in what he saw or learned.

Translation: ...nor [did it come] from impure motives,...

Paul and company did not have impure motives. He was not hoping to bilk his listeners out of a great sum of money not did he have some idea that he might be hailed as some great Roman orator.

When I was saved, I listened to a lot of Family Radio, and I recalled a speaker who spent the better part of his 30 minutes trying to convince people to send him money, presumably so that he could come on tomorrow and do the same thing again. That is an impure motive.

It is legitimate in a church to teach the passage in 2Corinthians about giving; and it is legitimate to take up an offering. However, this should be limited. At the church I attend, when R. B. Thieme, Jr. was teaching 9x a week, I believe that he took up an offering once a week; and this is what his son, R. B. Thieme, III does (he teaches 4x a week and takes up an offering on Sunday, first service).

The R. B. Thieme, Jr. Tapes and Publications ministry organization never pesters people for money at any time.

Translation: ...nor [was it presented] in deceit,...

Paul never taught knowing that his teaching was wrong. He never made up stories; he did not take passages out of context and twist their meanings.

At this point in time, Paul was teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ; and he taught some basic doctrine, as he was putting it all together himself.

It ought to be clear that, even though this letter from Paul is completely accurate, it is not yet particularly deep (which is what we would have expected with Paul’s first few epistles).

1Thessalonians 2:3 For our persuasive discourse [was] not from error, nor [did it come] from impure motives, nor [was it presented] in deceit,... (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: ...but just as we have been tested (and approved) by God to believe the declaration (of the gospel),...

Pual and his crew have been constantly tested by God. The word here means, tested and approved.

He has learned to trust in the gospel message. Paul understands to present the gospel message, and to do it without error, without impure motives and without deceit.

Translation: ...so we keep on speaking,...

It is in this manner that Paul (and company) keep on speaking.

Although the book of Acts emphasizes Paul’s teaching and his interaction with others; this phrase indicates that the others with him also taught.

Translation: ...not like men (who want to) keep on pleasing [others],...

This describes, in many ways, politicians, who read the room, read the crowd, and then give them what they want to hear. I would say that this describes most politicians, whether they are democrat or republican. They want to say the things you want to hear; and then they will do whatever they want to do when in power.

When Paul taught the gospel, he was not looking to gain the approbation of others. This was not a consideration to him. The book of Acts makes this quite clear. This did not mean that Paul did not slip up in this area. There is a considerable amount taught in the book of Acts which resulted from him wanting to make a good impression on the believers in Jerusalem. He had great memories of Jerusalem and going there throughout his life; and he believed that he had developed a great set of teachings to convince the religious Jews of Jesus Christ. However, Paul was willing to allow himself to be compromised on that near-fatal trip to Jerusalem.

Despite all of his training, Paul was better designed to reach gentiles and even Jews in the gentile world. When it came to his interaction with gentiles (on four missionary tours), Paul’s motivation was never to please man.

Translation: ...but by God, in the testing (and approval) of our right lobes.

Paul teaches and presents the gospel, and in this, God tests and approves his heart (and the hearts of his companions).