In guile (év dc\m). While wnecleanness expresses impure purpose or motive, guile has reference to improper means ;
* Lightfoot’s view, that the word is used with a reference to the impuri-
ties of the worship of Aphrodite at Corinth and of the Cabeiri at Thessa- lonica, seems far-fetched.
Cu. Il] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 23
plausible but insincere methods of winning converts; sup- pression of the truth; “huckstering the word of God” (see on 2 Cor. ii. 17); adulterating it for purposes of gain or | popularity. ;
4. We were allowed (Sedoxiudopueba). More correctly, approved. See oni Pet.i. 7. Wecame and spoke to you as tested men.
Pleasing (apécxovres). As being those who seek to please. Comp. Gal. i. 10, and av@pwmrdpecxot man-pleasers, Eph. vi. 6 ; Col. iii. 22. Comp. LXX, Ps. lii. 5: “God hath scattered the bones of men-pleasers.” The fourth Psalm of Solomon is entitled : Against the men-pleasers (avOpwrrapécKors).
Who proveth (doxiuadforv7s). Word-play with dedoximdac- pela we were approved.
5. Used we flattering words (év Acy@ Koraxkias éyevn- Onuev). Better, were we found using flattering discourse. Very literally and baldly it is, we came to pass in discourse of flattery. It means more than the mere fact that they were not flatterers: rather, they did not prove to be such in the course of their work. Similar periphrases with év are found, L. xxii. 44; Acts xxii. 17; 2 Cor. iii. 7; Philip. ii. 7; with isa Math xxin 425 Mk ae 103" L. xxl 17; Acts iv. 11; 1 Th. iii. 5. Kodgaxéa flattery, N. T.°. °LXX. Rare in Class. Adyw is explained by some as report or rumour. Common report did not charge us with being flatterers. This meaning is admissible, but the other is simpler. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men’s self-com- placency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands.
Cloke of covetousness (podacet mAeoveElas). For mrpo- dacs see on J. xv. 22. Properly preteat: mpo before, dacis a word or saying. Others, less probably, from wpodaive to
24 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Ca. 2i-
cause to shine forth or before. Paul means that he had not used his apostolic office to disguise or conceal avaricious designs.
God is witness (eds waprus). Comp. Rom. i. 9; 2 Cor. i. 23; Philip. i. 8; 1 Th. ii. 10. God or the Lord is witness is a common O. T. formula: see Gen. xxxi. 44,50; 1 Sam. xii. 5, 6; xx. 28,42; Wisd. i. 6.° For testimony to his con- duct, he appeals to the Thessalonians (as ye know) : for testi- mony to his motives, he appeals to God. Comp. ver. 10, where there is the double appeal.
6. Of men (é& avOporav). To extract glory from men.
When we might have been burdensome (dvrdpevor év Bape civac). Lit. being able to be in weight. The phrase éy Bape in weight is unique in N. T., and does not occur in LXX. The better rendering here is to be in authority. Paul means that his position as an apostle would have warranted him in asserting authority or standing on his dignity, which he did not do. Bdpos weight, in the sense of influence, is found in late Greek. Paul’s Epistles were called weighty (Bapetary, 2 Cor. x. 10: others explain as referring to the apostolic right to exact pecuniary support.*
T. Gentle (jor). This reading is adopted by Tischen- dorf, Weiss, and the Rev. T. Westcott and Hort read v7jzvoe babes. This gives a stronger and bolder image, and one which falls in better with the course of thought, in which Paul is asserting his innocence of guile and flattery, and not of harshness.
* This interpretation is urged on the ground that ém:Bapjoa, ver. 9, and 2 Th. iii, 8, kareBdpnoa, 2 Cor. xii. 16, and dBapH, 2 Cor. xi. 9, all refer to pecuniary support. Accordingly these words are connected with covetous- ness, ver. 5. But they are separated from m)eovetla by a new idea, seeking glory, with which their connection is immediate. Moreover, it is unlikely that Paul would have attached the idea of covetousness to a rightful claim for ee Our explanation is further favoured by the contrasted vim, ver. é.