nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
      3. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. This is indeed the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only seeth all that we do, but knoweth our thoughts afar off, and searcheth the heart. He is well acquainted with all our aims and designs, as well as our actions. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts that we must receive our reward. The evidences of the apostle's sincerity follow; and they are these:-- (1.) He avoided flattery: Neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know,1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5. He and his fellow-labourers preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest in men's affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and wheedling them. No, he was far from this; nor did he flatter men in their sins; nor tell them, if they would be of his party, they might live as they listed. He did not flatter them with fain hopes, nor indulge them in any evil work or way, promising them life, and so daubing with untempered mortar. (2.) He avoided covetousness. He did not make the ministry a cloak, or a covering, for covetousness, as God was witness,1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5. His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Peter 2:3. (3.) He avoided ambition and vain-glory: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others,1 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:6. They expected neither people's purses nor their caps, neither to be enriched by them nor caressed, and adored, and called Rabbi by them. This apostle exhorts the Galatians (Galatians 5:26; Galatians 5:26) not to be desirous of vain glory; his ambition was to obtain that honour which comes from God,John 5:44. He tells them that they might have used greater authority as apostles, and expected greater esteem, and demanded maintenance, which is meant by the phrase of being burdensome, because perhaps some would have thought this too great a burden for them to bear.