“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ESV).
The imagery behind this passage depicts a servant who has been entrusted with the responsibility to manage a specific task. In this instance, it was Paul the Apostle’s responsibility to administer the Word of God in a manner that was approved by God. That responsibility precluded Paul from engaging in an erroneous, deceptive, impure, or diluted presentation of the Gospel.
The Living Bible paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 2:4 expresses this idea in the following manner: “…we change his message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it.” One commentary clarifies this concept by examining the difference between those who compromise the gospel in seeking to appeal to others and those who adapt that message for the benefit of a specific audience…
“In trying to persuade people, we may be tempted to alter our position just enough to make our message more palatable or to use flattery or praise. Paul never changed his message to make it more acceptable, but he did tailor his methods to each audience. Although our presentation must be altered to be appropriate to the situation, the truth of the Good News must never be compromised.” (1)
This same commentary makes another important observation in this respect…
“Compromise is an important element in getting along with others, but we should never compromise the truth of God’s Word. If we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to match those of our companions, we are on dangerous ground.” (2)
The late scholar and apologist Dr. Norman Geisler echoed a similar theme in analyzing Jesus’ use of the term “salt of the earth” from Matthew 5:13…
“In order for Christians to function properly as ‘the salt of the earth,’ however, the salt must maintain its pure character. Christians must be careful lest, instead of being a preservative against evil, they themselves become tainted with evil, thereby compromising the influence they have on the world. They cannot influence the world for Christ without retaining their own virtue as Christians.” (3)
Finally, this passage also identifies two influences that enabled Paul to avoid an attitude of compromise. The first was found in Paul’s sincere desire to please God. The second involved the knowledge that God would test his motivations. Keeping these principles in mind can help us do the same.
(1) Life Application Study Bible, 1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved. Life Application® is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
(2) Life Application Study Bible, Galatians 2:11 Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved. Life Application® is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
(3) Norman L. Giesler and Ron Rhodes, When Cultists Ask: A Popular Handbook on Cultic Misinterpretations, Baker Books, 1997