1 Thessalonians 2 4

1 Thessalonians 2:4 kjv

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 nkjv

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 niv

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 esv

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 nlt

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.

1 Thessalonians 2 verses

1 Thessalonians 2 4 Meaning

The Apostle Paul asserts that his apostolic ministry and the proclamation of the Gospel are rooted entirely in God's divine approval and entrustment, not in any human initiation or manipulation. Consequently, his communication is directed at pleasing God, who scrutinizes the innermost intentions and motives of the heart, rather than seeking the applause or approval of people. It underscores that authenticity and integrity in serving the Gospel are determined by God's examination of one's motives, not by outward appearance or human affirmation.

1 Thessalonians 2 4 Context

1 Thessalonians chapter 2 is a section where Paul defends the integrity and genuineness of his apostolic ministry among the Thessalonians. He addresses implicit or explicit criticisms, possibly from opponents or cynical outsiders, who might have accused him and his companions of being opportunistic itinerants, deceptive charlatans, or self-serving peddlers of a new religion, similar to the sophists and travelling philosophers common in the Roman world. Verse 4 stands as the central declaration of his foundational principle: their authorization for ministry came directly from God, and therefore, their motives and aims were solely focused on divine approval. This verse explains the purity of motive behind his previous assertions of selfless labor (vv. 9), gentle care (vv. 7), and pure intentions (vv. 3, 5). The broader context of the letter is Paul's deep affection for and instruction to a young church facing persecution and misconceptions about the end times, reassuring and establishing them in the truth.

1 Thessalonians 2 4 Word analysis

• but as we have been approved (ἀλλὰ καθὼς δεδοκιμάσμεθα, alla kathōs dedokimasmetha): The conjunction "but" (ἀλλὰ, alla) signifies a strong contrast. "Approved" is from the verb dokimazō, meaning to test, examine, and after scrutiny, to find genuine and accept. The perfect passive form "have been approved" emphasizes that this testing and validation by God is a completed act with ongoing validity, not a continuous process or a human self-appointment. Paul's fitness for ministry was proven by God's examination.
• by God (ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, hupo tou Theou): Explicitly names the divine agent responsible for the approval. This underlines that their commissioning was a divine initiative and an act of sovereign choice, rather than a human decision, election, or ambition.
• to be entrusted with the gospel (πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, pisteuthēnai to euangelion): The infinitive "to be entrusted" (pisteuthēnai, passive of pisteuō) denotes that God placed a sacred trust in them. The "gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion), the "good news," is not merely information but a divine message of salvation, weighty and sacred. This emphasizes their role as stewards of a divinely revealed message, highlighting responsibility and fidelity, not ownership or manipulation.
• so we speak (οὕτως λαλοῦμεν, houtōs laloumen): "So" (houtōs) indicates the direct consequence or manner of their proclamation. Because of their divine approval and entrustment, their speaking (laleō, referring to actual utterance, communication) flows directly from this source and principle. Their message and its delivery are shaped by their divine calling.
• not as pleasing men (οὐχ ὡς ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκοντες, ouch hōs anthrōpois areskontes): A direct polemic, presenting a sharp contrast to prevailing human-centered motivations. "Pleasing" (areskontes) in this context implies seeking favor, gaining applause, or modifying one's message to gain human acceptance. This phrase rejects flattery, demagoguery, and tailoring the message for popularity or personal gain.
• but God who examines our hearts (ἀλλὰ Θεῷ τῷ δοκιμάζοντι τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν, alla Theō tō dokimazonti tas kardias hēmōn): A powerful antithesis. The same root verb dokimazō ("examines") is used here as for "approved," but in the present active participle, indicating God's continuous and active scrutiny. This points to God's ongoing assessment of their innermost motives and intentions. "Hearts" (kardias) refers not merely to emotions but to the core of one's being, including thoughts, desires, will, conscience, and motives. God penetrates beyond outward actions or words to the truth of one's inner being.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel": This phrase encapsulates the foundational premise of Paul's ministry: divine election, rigorous divine testing leading to affirmation, and a solemn commission to deliver a sacred message. It posits ministry as an outcome of God's prior work and trust.
• "so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts": This forms the core ethical and motivational statement. The manner of their proclamation ("so we speak") is a direct result of their divine calling. The explicit contrast highlights that the audience of their service is primarily God, not humanity, emphasizing internal purity of motive over external approval. It stresses that God's constant, penetrating gaze into their innermost motives is their ultimate guide and accountability.

1 Thessalonians 2 4 Bonus section

This verse offers a powerful model for the character and conduct of all believers, particularly those engaged in spiritual leadership or evangelism. It emphasizes that:

• Authenticity in service: It's not enough to deliver the message; the motivation behind it must be pure and directed towards God. Any activity done in the name of Christ, but motivated by a desire for personal glory, wealth, or human recognition, stands in direct contradiction to this principle.
• The radical nature of divine accountability: Human approval is fickle and insufficient. The constant awareness of God’s scrutinizing gaze into one's innermost motives serves as a safeguard against hypocrisy and superficiality. This makes inward integrity paramount, reminding believers that even their hidden thoughts are open before God.
• Discernment for the hearer: For those who receive the Gospel, this verse provides a standard by which to evaluate the messenger. An authentic messenger of Christ seeks God's approval, not human praise, distinguishing true servants of God from those who might exploit spiritual avenues for personal gain or human adulation.

1 Thessalonians 2 4 Commentary

This verse serves as a crucial theological and ethical cornerstone for Paul's defense of his ministry and, by extension, for all authentic Christian service. It establishes that the authority and mandate for preaching the Gospel originate exclusively with God, not from human appointment, self-promotion, or popular consensus. Paul and his co-workers were rigorously "approved" by God, a divine vetting process confirming their fitness to carry such a sacred trust—the "gospel" itself. This divine commission inherently dictates their manner of operation: their speech and conduct are governed by a desire to satisfy God, not human preferences.

The stark contrast between "pleasing men" and "God who examines our hearts" is pivotal. "Pleasing men" encapsulates all forms of people-pleasing that would compromise the purity of the message or the integrity of the messenger, often seen in worldly attempts to gain favor or manipulate others. In contrast, "God who examines our hearts" emphasizes that divine judgment extends beyond external actions or outward success to the very core of one's being – the intentions, affections, and deepest motives. True integrity in ministry, therefore, stems from this vertical accountability. It implies that genuine service is performed under the constant, discerning gaze of an all-knowing God, whose approval is the sole aim, fostering a profound authenticity that prioritizes spiritual sincerity over worldly accolades or human manipulation. This commitment ensures that the Gospel is presented faithfully, without dilution or distortion, precisely because its heralds live for God's glory and judgment alone.