John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:3

"For our exhortation [is] not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:" — 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (ASV)

Now, setting aside the testimony of other churches, he reminds the Thessalonians of what they themselves had experienced, and explains in detail how he, and likewise his two associates, had conducted themselves among them, since this was of the greatest importance for confirming their faith. He declares his integrity with this purpose: that the Thessalonians might perceive they had been called to the faith not so much by a mortal man as by God Himself. Therefore, he says that his entering in unto them had not been vain, as ambitious people make a great display while having no substance; for he uses the word vain here as contrasted with efficacious.

He proves this with two arguments. The first is that he had suffered persecution and shame at Philippi; the second is that a great conflict awaited him at Thessalonica. We know that people's minds are weakened, indeed, are altogether broken down by shame and persecutions.

Therefore, it was evidence of a divine work that Paul, after being subjected to various kinds of evils and to shame, showed no hesitation—as if in a perfectly sound state—in attempting to reach a large and wealthy city, with the aim of subjecting its inhabitants to Christ. In this entering in, nothing is seen that suggests vain ostentation. In the second area, the same divine power is seen, for he did not discharge his duty with applause and favor, but was required to maintain a keen conflict. Meanwhile, he stood firm and undaunted, from which it appears that he was upheld by the hand of God; for this is what he means when he says that he was emboldened. And, unquestionably, if all these circumstances are carefully considered, it cannot be denied that God magnificently displayed His power there. As for the history, it is found in Acts 16 and 17.

For our exhortation. He confirms the Thessalonians by another argument in the faith they had embraced—since they had been faithfully and purely instructed in the word of the Lord, for he maintains that his doctrine was free from all deception and uncleanness. And to place this matter beyond all doubt, he calls their conscience to witness.

The three terms he uses may, it seems, be distinguished in this way: imposture may refer to the substance of doctrine, uncleanness to the affections of the heart, and guile to the manner of acting. Therefore, in the first place, he says that they had not been deluded or imposed upon by fallacies when they embraced the kind of doctrine he had delivered to them. Secondly, he declares his integrity, since he had not come to them under the influence of any impure desire, but was motivated solely by an upright disposition. Thirdly, he says that he had done nothing fraudulently or maliciously, but had, on the contrary, manifested a simplicity fitting for a minister of Christ. Since these things were well known to the Thessalonians, they had a sufficiently firm foundation for their faith.