1 Thessalonians 2:3
 
1 Thessalonians 2:3
(KJV) For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
(1611 KJV) For our exhortation was not of deceite, nor of vncleannesse, nor in guile:
(1568 Bishop’s Bible) For our exhortation was not of deceit, neither of vncleannes, neither in guile:
(1587 Geneva Bible) For our exhortation was not by deceite, nor by vncleannes, nor by guile.
 
Counterfeit Versions
(1881 RV) For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
(1901 ASV) For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
(CSB) For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
(NIV) For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
(NASV) For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
(THE MESSAGE) God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.
(AMP) For our appeal [in preaching] does not [originate] from delusion or error or impure purpose or motive, nor in fraud or deceit.
(ESV) For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
(CEV) We didn't have any hidden motives when we won you over, and we didn't try to fool or trick anyone.
(NKJV) For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
(HCSB) For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
(NIRV) The appeal we make is based on truth. It comes from a pure heart. We are not trying to trick you.
(RSV) For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile;
(NAB-Roman Catholic ) Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception.
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) For the exhortation we give does not arise from error or from uncleanness or with deceit,
 
Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
η γαρ παρακλησις ημων ουκ εκ πλανης ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας ουτε εν δολω
 
Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
η γαρ παρακλησις ημων ουκ εκ πλανης ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας ουδε εν δολω
 
Corrupted Manuscripts
None
 
Affected Teaching
Here is a question of a word change in the English which gives the verse a different meaning. The Greek word is “planęs” which means “a wandering away from the truth, a delusion, deceit, or error.” In this verse Paul was stating that the exhortation he gave the Thessalonians was not from deceit. Deceit is an intentional plan or attempt to deceive somebody or to trick them. The Apostle Paul had faced many such false teachers who taught a false gospel and deceived the people. Paul was stating that his Gospel was not based upon deceit but upon truth. He had no desire to trick or defraud anybody out of anything. The false teachers had attempted to gain a foothold wherever they went for the purpose of making themselves wealthy and to contradict the true gospel. They had no concern for the souls of the people they were defrauding. On the other hand, Paul came to them in sincerity and not in any form of deceit. The modern versions use the word “error” here but it does not fit the context. Error can be an innocent mistake or understanding but Paul faced the false teachers wherever he went and their mode of operation was intentional deceit, not a mistaken understanding of the gospel. A very big difference!

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