Unadulterated Truth

For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed--God is our witness-- nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority. But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children. For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does [in dealing with] his own children, [guiding you] to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saves you and] calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:5-7,11-12) For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 2:17)

And perpetual friction between men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a source of profit [a lucrative, money-making business—withdraw from them]. (1 Timothy 6:5)

Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned;

And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way]. (2 Peter 2:2-3) God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. This is why we never give up.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation.

But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 9:1)

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you as if I were standing before God that I am not lying. (Galatians 1:20)

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie [nothing false, no deception] is of the truth. (1 John 2:21) For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth,

because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. (Romans 1:18-19)