1 Thessalonians 2:3

“For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile”

“Exhortation”: (1 Corinthians 14:3). “Persuasive discourse, calling to one's side, for admonition, encouragement, or comfort” (Robertson p. 16). When Paul calls "preaching" by the title "exhortation", it infers that the gospel is much more than just. message of certain facts, it is. message that demands urgent action (2 Corinthians 6:1). “Not of error”: Fraudulence; subjectively,. straying from orthodoxy or piety, thus deceit, to deceive, delusion, or error. “Our appeal to you was not based on. delusion” (TCNT). “We did not make our appeal by advocating false doctrines” (Nor). “Paul had been accused of being completely mistaken in his preaching” (Morris p. 70). ‘It was being said that Paul's teaching came from nothing else than sheer delusion” (Barclay p. 220). “Nor of uncleanness”: “Unworthy motives” (TCNT). ‘Can refer to impure motives such as ambition, pride and greed” (Marshall p. 65). The word can also refer to sexual impurity (1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:7). Stott notes, “It is possible that Paul's detractors were hinting at this (sexual impurity). Were they even insinuating that there was something suspicious about the 'not. few prominent women' who had been converted? But probably NIV is right to render the word ‘impure motives', alluding to such evils as ‘ambition, pride, greed, popularity'” (pp. 49-50). We need to remind ourselves that many traveling philosophers existed in those days, and they used all sorts of dishonest means to gain converts. The unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica were making the attempt to class Paul and his companions as men from the same dishonest mould.

“Nor in guile”: Craft, deceit, guile, and subtlety. “Nor with any intentions of misleading you” (TCNT). “Nor practice any sort of deceit” (Nor). “That is, there was nothing devious about their methods. They made no attempt to induce conversions. for example, either by concealing the cost of discipleship or by offering fraudulent blessings” (Stott p. 50). “The third accusation is that of being trickery” (Morris p. 71). Such. verse should admonish the Christian that when they teach others, everything needs to be up front and in the open. The servant of Christ must not have any secret motives or requirements that he or she plans to spring on potential converts. There can be no room for "private ends" in our teaching. The gospel message does not need any "tricks" to make it more effective in reaching hearts (Romans 1:16). Any method that we adopt to spread the gospel, must be ethical, honest, up front and completely free from dishonesty and deception.