1 Thessalonians 2:5 – God Is Witness

5 For neither did we at any time become flattering in expression, according as you are aware; neither with a pretense for greed, God is witness;

Paul has just said that he did not speak to please men. Now he makes that concrete. Never did they become “flattering in expression.” They did not tell their hearers what they wanted to hear in order to win their favor. For this, Paul can call the Thessalonians themselves as witnesses: “according as you are aware.” They had heard his words and observed his conduct up close.

But then Paul goes a step further: “neither with a pretense for greed.” His proclamation was not a cover for benefiting himself. Prophasis, “pretense,” points to something put forward while another motive lies behind it. Whether Paul was actually accused of greed, the text does not say. But he emphatically rejects any suspicion of it.

And precisely here Paul does not say again: “according as you are aware,” but: “God is witness.” People could hear his words and observe his conduct, but they could not see what was hidden in his heart. God could. This connects directly with the preceding verse: He is the One “Who is testing our hearts.” Paul might perhaps fool people, but not God. Where people see only the outward conduct, God sees what lies behind it.

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