1 Thessalonians 2:4

Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul and his companions address the Thessalonian believers to explain the motivation behind their recent preaching. They frame their ministry as a direct response to God's examination rather than a performance for human audiences.

The words — The Greek verb δεδοκιμάσμεθα (dedokimasmetha) means "we have been approved" in the perfect passive, indicating a completed divine examination. The infinitive πιστευθῆναι (pisteuthēnai) literally translates to "to be entrusted with," defining the purpose of that approval.

The thread — This theme of divine examination over human approval recurs in Galatians 1:10, where Paul asks whether he seeks the approval of men or God. The motif of God searching hearts also appears in Romans 8:27.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that speech and ministry must align with God's examination of the heart rather than human praise. It demands a shift in motivation from seeking audience approval to faithful stewardship of the entrusted message.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Romans 8:27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Psalms 17:3 You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Ephesians 6:6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
Psalms 139:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Jeremiah 32:19 the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.