But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
Truth to Learn
Proclaim the simple truth and seek God’s approval alone.
Behind the Words
“Approved” is translated from the Greek word dokimadzō, which means “to test something to determine its value.” It is not a testing to find flaws or fault, but a testing to determine worth. It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect. Hence, Paul is saying “we have been tested and found worthy; therefore, we now have God’s approval.”
The word translated “entrusted” is pisteuō, which means “to believe, to have faith in, or to trust.” It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject). Thus, it means “to be believed in” or “to be entrusted.”
“Pleasing” is from the Greek verb areskō which means “to be content with, or to be pleased with.” In the New Testament this word has evolved in emphasis from the end result (others being pleased with us) to the active pursuit (working to please others). Thus, instead of expressing a relationship, it expresses a behavior as an attempt to influence a relationship.
The word translated “tests” is another form of the verb dokimadzō, as we just saw means “to test something to determine its value.”
Meaning Explained
In yesterday’s verse we noted that from verse three on, Paul is talking about the pastoral/teaching phase of his ministry among the Thessalonians. Previously, he had been talking about his evangelistic ministry there. And, as was pointed out in verse one of this chapter, it appears that Paul is now defending himself against some accusations that have been made. In yesterday’s verse it appears that he was defending himself against a claim that he was teaching false doctrine or that he was using deceptive means to convince his listeners to accept the truth he was proclaiming. These claims possibly came from those Jews who first heard his messages regarding Jesus but did not believe (Acts 17:2-5).
In preaching the gospel message and teaching the truths of God’s word, we are handling messages of extreme importance and of inestimable worth. How we deliver these messages indicates how much respect we have for them. When we declare these messages, we are not trying to endear ourselves to others; we are not trying to win others over to “our side.” We are proclaiming truths that God has given to us, and we are relying on the Spirit of God to carry these truths and to open up the hearts of men to receive them. Our job is not to make converts nor is it to convince people with fancy words or clever communication techniques. Our job is simply to proclaim the truth and to let God take care of the rest. Paul was not trying to make his listeners like him; he was trying to please God who called him to his ministry.
The great preacher Dwight Moody is said to have been approached by a man who said, “I saw one of your converts in a bar getting drunk last night” to which Moody is said to have replied, “Yes it may have been one of my converts. If he was one of God’s converts he wouldn’t have been there.”
Application
Whatever your spiritual gifts and whatever ministry God has placed you in, don’t seek the approval of men. Instead, seek God’s approval by being diligent and faithful to Him.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved