1. Motives and Conduct (2:1-6)

Success came because the Gospel is not based on error. It is the truth of God, from God (see Gal 1:11-12). This message of God’s love was proclaimed from pure motives, which excluded any sexual impropriety, ambition, pride, greed, or trickery. The cultural background made these claims important. Rather, the missionaries were approved by God and were subject to a continuing “quality control” (Marshall, p. 66). Their sole aim was to please God. Their mindset was completely focused on God and his purposes for them.

Conduct matched motives. They did not seek to manipulate through flattery. They “did not use the apparently good action of preaching the gospel as a means of covering up (and so achieving) their real aim . . . [of] material gain” (Marshall, 67). They did not seek praise (“glory” in Gk.) from men. Rather the only glory went to God.