1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

Paul abhorred the use of speech that would assure him a positive reception regardless of what he preached.

"Flattery was a well-known and much despised practice in the ancient world." [Note: Wanamaker, p. 97. Cf. Bruce, p. 29.]

Paul also denied any desire to get rich from his preaching. "Greed" (Gr. pleonexia) is self-seeking in all its forms. Paul’s readers could testify to the truth of the first of these convictions. Since they could not do so to the second, Paul claimed God could. Itinerant philosophers and orators were common in the Roman Empire. Paul had little in common with their motivation. He had come to Thessalonica to give, not to get. Furthermore he did not demand that the Thessalonians acquiesce to his message because of his apostolic authority.

Having explained his ministry in negative terms so far (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6), Paul proceeded to describe it in positive terms (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12).