1 Thessalonians 2:5-9

1 Thessalonians 2:5

The Apostle is very careful in describing the relation in which his ministry stood to the Thessalonians, to defend himself against all false charges, all insinuations or suspicions of insincerity or impurity of motive. There was no element of imposture or covetousness or guile in his ministry. Accredited from on high, he pleased not men, but God. It was enough for him, in seeking the good of his fellow-men, to be approved byHim who proveth His servants' hearts.

I. He disdains the use of flattery. His exhortation was rather the word of simple unadulterated truth. Had his designs been self-seeking, he would have made use of flattery as one of the easiest keys for opening the door of the weak human heart. His teaching had for its aim first to wound, that, like Ithuriel's spear, it might afterwards heal.

II. It is a short and natural step for the Apostle's thought to pass from flattery to that which is the essence, the very soul of all flattery, covetousness: that form of self-interest which is sure to show itself in flattering words. He appeals to God, as if he had said, God knows, and what He knows He will at length testify, so that you too may know that with no plausible words, but in words of sincerity and simplicity, I have preached unto you.

III. He passes by with disdain as an element of his exhortation aught of ambition, desire for glory. "Not of men sought we glory." His aim was not the honour of men, but the approval of God. The scroll on the shield of the man of the world is, "I follow fame." On that of Paul it was "Rather use than fame."

IV. But the Apostle's yearning towards his Thessalonian friends showed itself further in self-abnegation, in willingness to impart "also our own souls." That heart of his, which was restless till it rested in Christ, ceaselessly sent forth its love, henceforth sanctified in Christ's love, towards others. He illustrated in himself the truth of the old Italian proverb, "The teacher is like the candle which gives light to others by consuming itself."

J.. Hutchison, Lectures on Thessalonians,p. 62.