Accusations

“For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile” (1 Thessalonians 2:3).

Introduction

It is not uncommon for the motivation of a preacher to come into question, especially if he draws a crowd or has a large congregation. Is he in the ministry for the money, fame or some other carnal reason? Paul had several accusations levelled against him, which he felt needed to be answered before the lies spread and undermined his ministry. It was not his reputation but the word of God that he was upholding here.

Deceit

The word is usually defined as ‘deceit’ but the Greek word ‘planē’ literally means ‘to stray from orthodoxy’, therefore they were accusing Paul of heresy. We see that the truth is at stake here. If Paul is teaching error then he is no better than the pagans in Thessalonica. “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17) … “We use great plainness of speech” (2 Corinthians 3:12).

Biblical Christianity is not proved true by personal experiences, but by what is stated in God’s word. The truth must be preached, for if people are drawn to the church for any other reason, they will quickly lose what little faith they had. Gimmicks will attract a crowd, but so will a circus. Paul simply preached the gospel rather than present Christ as a means to be happy, rich and successful. The great error of today’s church is that every means other than the truth is used to get people in. This is a betrayal of Christ and the Scriptures. It does not matter if the gimmick works, the question is, “Is it truth?” Paul knew very well that the false teachers and pagan priests used every trick up their sleeves to brainwash people. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). Such men eventually did trick their way into the church, “Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:13-15).

Uncleanness

The word ‘akatharsia’ means immorality and sexual impurity. Thessalonica was sinking in the mire of immorality, so the enemies of the gospel (the Jewish religious leaders) would have used this situation to suggest that Paul was only there to experience the carnality of the place. If Christianity could be put on par with pagan religions, which practiced all manner of perversion as part of their worship, then it would be defeated forever.

This accusation proves that it was the Jewish leaders rather than Paul who had their minds in the gutter. Paul, who was once a Pharisee had his mind elsewhere, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). He once lived by the letter of the Law, but Christ caused him to raise the standard to a higher level, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:27-30).

Guile

The Greek word ‘dolos’ refers to the use of tricks or bait to reel in the unsuspecting. The accusation here states that Paul was attracting a following through trickery and deceit. The word was used by fishermen of that day with regards to bait. The Lord Jesus Christ did say, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), but it was far from what the religious leaders were suggesting.

Throughout the centuries there have been preachers who have used all kinds of manipulation and underhand means to get a following. They have told exaggerated stories, half-truths and outright lies to convince their audience that they are men of God. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9) … “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Conclusion

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). There are times when, for the sake of the gospel, we must defend ourselves like Paul did. “The evidences of the apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-glory” (Matthew Henry). In our next study we will look at what answers Paul gave to overcome the allegations levelled against him.