Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 2:3

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit , nor of uncleanness , nor in guile .

Whereby he means either the whole Gospel he preached by a Synechdoche, or particularly that which is hortatory, what was first taught Doctrinally, was followed with exhortations to Faith and Practice. The Decrees of the Council at Ierusalem are called an exhortation, Acts 15.31. when Paul, or others with him were desired to preach in the Synagogue, the Rulers said, If you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on, Acts 13.15. but taken more strictly Rom. 12.8. In a distinction from prophesie and teaching.

This refers either to the Doctrine taught by them, it was true, not fallacious, not a devised Fable, and did not issue out of any errour of Judgment; and so the Apostle gives a reason why they were so bold in preaching it, because they knew it was all truth. Or to their sincerity in preaching we did not use any impostures, we designed not to seduce men, as the false Apostles did, but we really sought your Conversion and Salvatian.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], If this refers to the Doctrine preached, it denotes the purity of it, which did not tend to gratifie the flesh, as that of the Nicolaitans and Libertines, &c. If we refer it to the manner of their preaching, it denotes the purity of their hearts; they were not acted by any impure Lusts in their preaching, as Covetousness, Pride, or vain Glory.

This seems to be mentioned before, and therefore some expositors refer the two former expressions to the matter that they taught, and this only to the manner, which is most probable. They had no cunning designs upon them to make Merchandise of them [illegible: 1 letter]s the false Apostles did; but approve their hearts to God, and make themselves manifest to every mens conscience in the sight of God, And the Apostle alledgeth all this as a further reason of his boldness in preaching, for sincerity breeds boldness; Or as some cause also of his great success; for uprightness is usually attended with a Blessing, or as an Argument to these Thessalonians to continue their affection to him, and to abide in the Doctrine preached to them. For suspicion of insincerity in the Preacher, hinders the efficacy of the word upon the people.