FOR OUR EXHORTATION DOES
NOT COME FROM ERROR: e gar paraklesis hemon ouk ek planes:
(1Thes
2:5,6,11;
4:1,2;
Numbers 16:15;
1 Samuel 12:3;
Acts 20:33,34;
2 Corinthians 2:17;
4:2,5;
7:2;
2 Corinthians 11:13;
12:16-18;
2 Peter 1:16)
For the appeal we make does not
spring from error (NIV)
For (1063)(gar)
is a conjunction which introduces an explanation and here indicates
the basis for their boldness.
Hiebert adds that...
With his explanatory "for" Paul
indicates what enabled and obligated the missionaries to preach with
boldness in spite of suffering and opposition. He categorically denies
three false motives imputed to them (1Thes 2:3) and asserts that their
preaching was that of men who had been tested by God and divinely
entrusted with the gospel (1Thes 2:4). Had they acted under the false
motives attributed to them they would have been unable to preach as
they did under the circumstances. (Hiebert,
D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)
One thought widely held by many
conservative commentators is that in this verse Paul explains that he,
Silas and Timothy are innocent of the malicious charges made against
them by the jealous Jews.
F F Bruce notes that there
were...
So many wandering charlatans
(γόητες) made their way about the Greek world, peddling their
religious or philosophical nostrums, and living at the expense of
their devotees (like Lucian’s false prophet Alexander), that it was
necessary for Paul and his friends to emphasize the purity of their
motives and actions by contrast with these. The same kind of contrast
is made by Dio Chrysostom in Oration 32 (mentioned in comment on v 2
above). “The normal heathen ‘missionaries’ … were itinerant apostles
and miracle-workers of the most varied persuasions, heralds of heathen
gods, and dispensers of salvation, adroit and eloquent, ardent and
evoking ardor, but also smart and conceited in extolling the mighty
acts of their gods and fooling the masses … There can be no doubt that
they constituted dangerous rivals of the gospel and that general
popular opinion expected the Christian missionaries to be able to vie
with them” (Bornkamm, Paul, 64). (Bruce,
F F: 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word,
Incorporated. 1982 or
Logos)
In his second letter to the
Thessalonians Paul makes allusion to a deceptive message writing...
Now we request you, brethren, with
regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering
together to Him, 2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your
composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter
as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let
no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the
apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son
of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called
god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of
God, displaying himself as being God. (2Thess 2:1-4)
Not (3756)
(ouk) is an adverb strongly negating an alleged fact.
MacDonald nicely summarizes
this verse commenting that...
The apostle’s exhortation to
believe the gospel was true in its source, pure in its motive, and
dependable in its method. As to its source, it did not spring from
false doctrine but from the truth of God. As to its motive, the
apostle looked on the Thessalonians unselfishly, with their good in
view, and not with any ulterior, impure desire. As to its method,
there was no clever plot to deceive them. Apparently his jealous
enemies were accusing him of heresy, lustful desire, and craftiness. (MacDonald,
W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or
Logos)
Ryrie writes that...
Paul attacks what must have been
charges brought against him: of error (i.e., that the gospel he
preached was based on error); of impurity (that Christianity
encouraged sexual immorality); and of deceit (that his methods were
underhanded). (The
Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody
Publishers)
Exhortation (3874)
(paraklesis from pará = side of, beside + kaléo =
call) literally means a calling to one's side for admonition,
encouragement, exhortation, consolation or comfort.
Gloag has an interesting
note on paraklesis in the present context writing that...
This word has a twofold
signification, denoting both “exhortation” and “consolation;”
when it refers to the moral conduct it denotes exhortation, but when
it is an address to a sufferer it denotes consolation. In the gospel
these two meanings are blended together. (The
Pulpit Commentary: New Testament;
Old Testament; Ages Software
or
Logos)
Barnes explains
exhortation refers to their
exhortation to embrace the gospel.
The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general.
The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become
Christians were not such as to delude them. (Albert Barnes.
Barnes NT Commentary).
Green adds that...
The gospel is not simply an
announcement of the good news but also a call to respond to the divine
initiative contained in it. (Pillar
NT Commentary. Logos)
Alexander remarks
As addressed to the careless,
slothful, tempted, fallen, it is exhortation; as addressed to the sad
and seeking it is solace and comfort.
MacArthur says that in
the present context it
means an urgent cry, appeal, or call, with an emphasis on judgment.
Such usage stressed for Paul’s readers the urgency and directness of
his preaching. (MacArthur,
John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press
or
Logos)
What exhortation did Paul
present when he came to Thessalonica?
Now when they had traveled through
Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a
synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to
them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the
Scriptures (Old Testament teachings about Messiah), explaining
("opening them") and giving evidence that the Christ (the
Messiah) had to suffer and rise again from the
dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the
Christ (the Messiah)." (Note: that here Paul proclaimed the
essential Gospel points - Messiah died, implied that he was buried,
was resurrected - see notes on
1Corinthians 15:1;
15:1;
15:2;
15:3;
15:4;
15:5;
15:6;
15:8) 4 And some
of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great
multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.
5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from
the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and
coming upon the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to
the people. (Acts 17:1-5)
Paraklesis in this
context refers to persuasive discourse, stirring
address—instructive, admonitory, consolatory; powerful hortatory
discourse.
Paraklesis implies an
appeal having for its object the direct benefit of those addressed,
which may be either hortatory or conciliatory depending on
circumstances. The word was used to encourage soldiers before going
into battle and it was said that encouragement was necessary for hired
soldiers; but for those who fight for life and country no exhortation
is required
The word appeal has been
adopted for many translations (TCNT, Weymouth, Moffatt, Goodspeed,
RSV, NEB, NIV).
TDNT on paraklesis and parakaleo...writes that
these two words have a wide range of meaning...
1. the first sense being that of calling to either
literally or with such nuances as calling for aid, inviting, and
summoning.
2. A second sense is that of beseeching, e.g., calling on the
gods in prayer, or, from a superior to an inferior, proposing.
3. A third sense is that of exhorting or encouraging,
and even on occasion of ?winning over? for a plan.
4. The final sense is that of comforting, mostly in the form of
giving exhortation or encouragement in times of sorrow. This is not a
common use. (Kittel,
G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the
New Testament. Eerdmans)
Not come from error - In
the first century world Paul lived in, there were many competing
religions (not to different from our modern times!), and many
ministers of those religions were motivated by greed and gain
(certainly not different from today!). Accordingly, certain
questionable practices common among unsound religious leaders found no
place in his evangelistic labours. And so Paul begins by emphasizing
that their exhortation was without any evil intent.
Neil notes that...
There has probably never been such
a variety of religious cults and philosophic systems as in Paul’s day
. . . ‘Holy men’ of all creeds and countries, popular philosophers,
magicians, astrologers, crack-pots, and cranks; the sincere and the
spurious, the righteous and the rogue, swindlers and saints, jostled
and clamoured for the attention of the believing and the skeptical.
Error (4106)
(plane) is
an interesting word which describes a going astray, a straying about, a roaming or wandering, a forsaking of
the right path. By straying about one is led away from the right way
and thus roams here and there, which is not good in spiritual matters.
Plane is used figuratively in the NT of
mental straying from
the truth and thus refers to error, wrong opinion relate to morals or
religion, a delusion or a deception. Plane thus describes a straying from orthodoxy or piety. The opposite of plane (error) is
aletheia
(truth).
I agree with Richison
that...
A plethora of people peddle their
own viewpoints in the church today. Paul did not come with his own
viewpoint; he came with the Word of God. We must set forth truth as it
is rather than the way we want it to be. We should not manipulate
Scripture for the sake of elegance in preaching. We simply set forth
truth as it is. Our preaching should be as accurate as the
multiplication table. We must never alter or water down the Word or
the gospel. Inaccurately stating of God’s Word will ruin its message.
(Ref)
In the NT plane is used only
as a figurative extension of the primary meaning of roaming or
wandering, whether in doctrine,
2 Peter 3:17 (note); 1 John 4:6, or in
morals,
Romans 1:27 (note);
2 Peter 2:18 (note); Jude
1:11, though in Scripture
doctrine and morals are never really divided for one
always behaves as one
believes (or at least this should be the case)!
Herodotus (1, 30) writes of of
Solon, who roamed (plane) the earth in search of new information
-- to reiterate plane thus
means a wandering from the path of truth.
In the present context, Paul was
confident that their gospel message was genuine and stood in marked
contrast to the erroneous teaching of their adversaries. Paul, Silas
and Timothy had themselves not been carried away by any wiles of
error, nor had they sought to mislead others by such winds of doctrine
(see note
Ephesians 4:14).
Furthermore, they had not been deceived and were not deceivers (See
note
2 Timothy 3:13,
where related verb planao is used).
TDNT writes that the basic idea behind this word group (noun =
plane, verb = planao)...
is that
of going astray. Wandering is usually denoted, but the group may also
be used for the pulsing of the blood through the body and the journeys
of merchants. We find wanderers in tragedy, e.g., Io and Oedipus. In
the case of Io the lack of a goal has an inner effect in a combination
of geographical and spiritual wandering. (Kittel,
G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the
New Testament. Eerdmans)
Vine writes plane
is a...
wandering, whereby those who are
led astray roam hither and thither, is always used in the N.T., of
mental straying, wrong opinion, error in morals or religion....Errors
in doctrine are not infrequently the effect of relaxed morality, and
vice versa.
Vine goes on to add that...
The missionaries were confident
theirs was a genuine gospel, standing out in contrast to the fatal
delusion, for instance of which the apostle had already forewarned
them, 2 Thessalonians 2:5. They had not themselves been carried away
by any wiles of error, neither had they sought to mislead others by
such wiles,
Ephesians 4:14 (note);
they had not been deceived, neither were they deceivers, see
2 Timothy 3:13 (note),
where the corresponding verb, planao, is used (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
OR IMPURITY: oude ex
akatharsias:
Literally but not (3761)
(oude) which is an absolute negation. This adverb proceeds
impurity and deceit.
Impurity - is literally "absolutely
never out of impurity". Although the Greek word akatharsia
often refers to sexual misconduct as discussed below and this could be
the primary meaning, the context refers primarily to their message and
motives -- their preaching is not from impure motives such as
ambition, pride, greed, popularity. Their message was not that which
characterized the traveling charlatans of Paul's day.
Bruce explains that...
So many wandering charlatans made
their way about the Greek world, peddling their religious or
philosophical nostrums, and living at the expense of their devotees
(like Lucian's false prophet Alexander), that it was necessary for
Paul and his friends to emphasize the purity of their motives and
actions by contrast with these. (Bruce,
F F: 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word,
Incorporated. 1982 or
Logos)
(Bolding added)
Impurity (167)
(akatharsia
from a = without + kathaíro = cleanse) is literally
worthless material, waste; of graves decayed flesh, causing ceremonial
uncleanness. It is a
broad term referring to moral uncleanness in thought, word, and deed
and thus describes a state of moral impurity and especially sexual sin
or immorality (“the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate
living”). It is not surprising that
akatharsia
was used to describe filth or refuse.
Akatharsia
medically referred to an infected, oozing wound and the
general term often used of decaying matter, like the contents of a
grave. It defines a state of
moral impurity, esp sexual sin, impurity, immorality, filthiness,
state of moral impurity, especially in relationship to sexual sin (note
Romans 1:24).
It is a filthiness of heart and mind that
defiles (mars, sullies, spoils) the person. The unclean person sees dirt
in everything. The word
akatharsia
suggests especially that it defiles
its participants, making them unusable for sacred purpose. While
akatharsia
includes sexual sin, it comes from
a wider Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew OT) usage where
“unclean” could refer to anything that made a person unfit to go to
the temple and appear before God. In a medical sense Hippocrates used
this word to describe an infected, oozing wound with pus and crusty
impurities that gather around the sore or wound.
What is “impure” is filthy and
repulsive, especially to God, whether it is lewd actions or as in this
verse preaching from impure motives.
MacArthur feels that
impurity refers not just to their motives but actual
practice writing that...
In Paul’s day many of the mystery
religions and Greek cults practiced and even exalted sexual
perversion. Those religions were very popular because in most of them
the primary religious experience centered on the cult adherents having
sex with a ritual temple prostitute or the cult leader. Temple orgies
were not uncommon. Sexual intercourse had such a central role in those
pagan religions because the members believed that when one had sex
with a male leader or female prostitute—those supposedly closest to
the gods—the individual connected with the deities. Therefore, through
fornication they supposedly achieved some sort of mystical or
metaphysical union with the gods. Thus wicked, unscrupulous leaders
would seek converts for the purpose of having a sexual encounter with
them. (MacArthur,
John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press
or
Logos)
Vine commenting on the
use here in 1Thessalonians makes note of...
the description of the false
teachers in
2 Peter 2:18 (note),
where sensuality and error are again associated. See also Jude 4, and
Revelation 2:20 (note). Both
in Corinth and in Thessalonica gross vice was consecrated to the
service of religion, cp. Romans 1:22-32. (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
Barnes comments that not...impurity
means...
Not such as to lead to an impure
life. It was such as to lead to holiness and purity. The apostle
appeals to what they knew to be the tendency of his doctrine as an
evidence that it was true. Most of the teaching of the heathen
philosophers led to a life of licentiousness and corruption. The
tendency of the gospel was just the reverse. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT
Commentary)
OR BY WAY OF DECEIT: oude
en dolo:
By way of deceit - This is more literally never in deceit or guile. Paul is keenly sensitive against
charges against the correctness of his message and the purity of his
life. His message was not given so as to bait or trap his listeners,
which is the meaning of
dolos
(discussed below).
Wiersbe explains that...
The word translated “guile”
(deceit) carries the idea of “baiting a hook.” In other words, Paul
did not trap people into being saved, the way a clever salesman traps
people into buying his product. Spiritual witnessing and “Christian
salesmanship” are different. Salvation does not lie at the end of a
clever argument or a subtle presentation. Often we hear, “I don’t care
what your method is, just so long as your message is right.” But some
methods are unworthy of the Gospel. They are cheap, whereas the Gospel
is a costly message that required the death of God’s only Son. They
are worldly and man centered, whereas the Gospel is a divine message
centered in God’s glory. (Wiersbe,
W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor
or
Logos)
Deceit (1388)
(dolos derived from dello
meaning to bait) literally refers to a fishhook, trap, or trick all of
which are various forms of deception. We use guile when we fish by
using bait that appears like food to the fish. It is not food but a
decoy. Dolos is a deliberate
attempt to mislead, trick, snare or "bait" (baiting the trap in
attempt to "catch" the unwary victim) other people by telling lies. It
is a desire to gain advantage or preserve position by deceiving
others. A modern term in advertising is called "bait and switch" where
the unwary consumer is lured in by what looks like an price too good
to be true!
Richison writes that...
Secular literature used “deceit”
for a huckster. They used this word for a tavern keeper of the ancient
world who would water down the wine of an inebriated person. There are
those who also water down the Word. They use guile and tricks with the
message of Christ. These are spiritual hucksters. Authenticity in
content and delivery are the essence of the gospel. (Ref)
Dolos
describes deceit, treachery, fraud, deceitful cunning, duplicity,
trick, wile, guile, subtilty, snare, deliberate dishonesty. It
represents a deliberate attempt to mislead other people by telling
lies. It is a desire to gain advantage or preserve position by
deceiving others. As noted the idea is to set bait so as to catch
them. To bait or deceive in order to achieve one’s end. When a person
wants something, he looks at the other person’s weakness or ignorance,
and he tries to appeal to it. He appeals to it by deceiving and
beguiling the person.
Vine writes that...
the preceding words deny a wrong
source (error) and a wrong motive (impurity); deceit denies a wrong
method. The meaning of the word is best seen in its first New
Testament occurrence, Matthew 26:4 ("and they plotted together to
seize Jesus by stealth {dolos} and kill Him"), or from the use
of the corresponding verb in 2 Corinthians 4:2, “not handling
the word of God deceitfully {doloo},” or craftily, that is,
with some personal end in view. Such a charge was afterwards made
against Paul at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 12:16, “being crafty I caught
you with guile” words quoted, apparently, from the language of his
detractors. (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
Barnes writes that the
exhortation was not...
in guile. Not by the
arts of deceit. There was no craftiness or trick, such as could not
bear a severe scrutiny. No point was carried by art, cunning, or
stratagem. Everything was done on the most honourable and fair
principles. It is much when a man can say that he has never endeavored
to accomplish anything by mere trick, craft, or cunning. Sagacity and
shrewdness are always allowable in ministers as well as others; trick
and cunning never. Yet stratagem often takes the place of sagacity,
and trick is often miscalled shrewdness. Guile, craft, cunning, imply
deception, and can never be reconciled with that entire honesty which
a minister of the gospel, and all other Christians, ought to possess.
(Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary)
Larry Richards explains
that
dolos...
picks up the metaphor from hunting
and fishing. Deceit is an attempt to trap or to trick and thus
involves treachery...Deception sometimes comes from within, as our
desires impel us to deceive. But more often in the NT, deceit is error
urged by external evil powers or by those locked into the world's way
of thinking. (Richards,
L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)
Barclay
amplifies the meaning of
dolos
noting that...
We best get the meaning of this
from the corresponding verb (doloun). Doloun has two
characteristic usages. It is used of debasing precious metals and of
adulterating wines. Dolos is deceit; it describes the quality
of the man who has a tortuous and a twisted mind, who cannot act in a
straightforward way, who stoops to devious and underhand methods to
get his own way, who never does anything except with some kind of
ulterior motive. It describes the crafty cunning of the plotting
intriguer who is found in every community and every society." In
another writing Barclay explains that dolos can be translated "guile"
and that "It comes from a word which means bait; it is used for
trickery and deceit. It is used for instance of a mousetrap.
When the Greeks were besieging Troy and could not gain entry, they
sent the Trojans the present of a great wooden horse, as if it was a
token of good will. The Trojans opened their gates and took it in. But
the horse was filled with Greeks who in the night broke out and dealt
death and devastation to Troy. That exactly is dolos. It is
crafty, cunning, deceitful, clever treachery. Dolos is the
trickery of the man who is out to deceive others to attain his own
ends, the vice of the man whose motives are never pure. (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The
Westminster Press or
Logos)
><>><>><>
Our Daily
Bread - Careless Preachers -Some
opponents of Christianity may not be so much against Christ as they
are against the hypocrisy of His followers. Ironically, it hasn't
occurred to them that no one was more opposed to hypocrisy than Jesus
Himself.
We've all met scoffers who thoughtlessly parrot the phrase, "The
church is full of hypocrites!" But let's not be thoughtless in our
response and dismiss such pronouncements without taking heed lest they
be true.
We tend to think that it's not true of us. But let's think again. Have
we ever been like the Christian who glanced through her window, only
to see a nosy, noisy neighbor approaching her door? Her young,
impressionable children heard her as she growled, "Oh, no—not her
again!" Whereupon she opened the door and gushed insincerely, "How
very nice to see you!"
Our lips and our lives often preach a mixed message. In Matthew
23:1-12, Jesus described the hypocritical teachers of the law and
warned His disciples, "Do not do according to their works; for they
say, and do not do" (v.3).
God forbid that some opponent of Christ would be influenced by
careless hypocrisy in our lives.
Lord, help us to be "careful preachers." —Joanie Yoder
You can fool the
hapless public,
You can be a subtle fraud,
You can hide your little meanness,
But you can't fool God. —Kleiser
A hypocrite will often pray on his knees on Sunday and prey on his
neighbors on Monday.