Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Thessalonians 2:3

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For our exhortation is not of error nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God which proveth our hearts." Do you see that, as I said, from their perseverance he makes a proof that the Preaching is divine? For, if it were not so, if it were a deceit, we should not have endured so many dangers, which allowed us not even to take breath. You were in tribulation, we were in tribulation. What then was it? …

Homily on 1 Thessalonians 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

That is, our teaching is not a deception. For deceivers do not subject themselves to dangers, but rather indulge in luxury; I, however, subjected myself to dangers. From this, therefore, it is clear that my teaching does not deceive, and that it is not for human affairs that I take dangers upon myself, but for divine and immutable ones. I do not teach anything impure, as magi and sorcerers teach. Not the pursuit of rebellions and revolutions, as the followers of Theudas do.

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says: for our appeal does not spring from error, he shows the sound character of his preaching; and in showing this, Paul does two things. First, he exhibits the sound character of his doctrine; secondly, he explains certain matters he had remarked upon (2:4). In treating the first point, Paul does two things. First, he rules out the possibility of error in the doctrine; secondly, he imputes integrity to his doctrine (2:4). …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗