Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 2:4

“But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts.”

“Thus his preaching is not tainted, but rather sound. But something is sound because it serves its nature. As a result, preaching is sound when someone teaches in that manner in which Christ taught; and so Paul says, but just as we have been approved, that is, in that manner and with that intention with which God chose and approved us for the preaching of the gospel, so we speak. "I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised" (Gal. 2:7). "For he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Then when Paul says, not to please men, he shows that his preaching is not meant to be deceptive. First, by ruling out the manner in which it might appear to be misleading; secondly, by making this point evident through a sign (2:5); thirdly, he shows the same thing by reason of a causal consideration (2:5b). In elaborating the first point Paul says: My preaching is not of such a nature that it is ultimately pleasing to men. "God has scattered the bones of those who please men" (Ps. 52:6). "If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). Sometimes, however, Paul and his companions sought to please men for the sake of God's glory, so that their preaching might be more fruitful, as is remarked in 1 Cor. (10:33): "Just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." But to please God who tests our hearts: "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes" (Prov. 16:2). A sign of this, however, is that we did not employ flattery, that is, only speaking of pleasant things to them. "Do not deceive with your lips" (Prov. 24:28). "Prophesy not to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions" (Is. 30:10).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.