878 B
878 B
General Information:
Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that his conduct was not based in flattery, greed, or self glory.
we never used words of flattery
"we never spoke to you with false praise"
nor as an excuse to cover up greed
The words "we use words" are understood from the previous phrase. Here "cover up" is a metaphor for keeping people from knowing something. AT: "nor did we use words to cover up greed" or "and we did not use words to hide an evil desire for your money" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
could have claimed privileges
"could have insisted you give us money"