The use of flattery is common. Sometimes people say they are simply complimenting but it is more than complimenting, it is flattery, for it involves exaggeration. Flattery softens up people to make them victims. Flattery causes people to drop their guard and become vulnerable to evil. The use of flattery reveals a defective character. First, the condemnation of flattery. “Neither at any time used we flattering words.” Paul condemned the use of flattery by refusing to stoop to using it to promote the work of the Gospel. Second, the cognizance about flattery. “As ye know.” The Thessalonians could give testimony to the truthfulness of Paul’s statement here. They could verify his claim because they knew his actions.

Paul’s ministry was transparent. It was truthful, honest, upright, and noble. You could trust Paul. He did not lie or lead one down a path that would lead to corruption. Many preachers today are not of that caliber. Their mouth is full of lies (exaggerations) and their teaching and preaching caters to culture instead of holiness. They lower the standard instead of raising it.

we might have been burdensome—that is, by claiming maintenance (1 Th 2:9; 2 Co 11:9; 12:16; 2 Th 3:8). As, however, “glory” precedes, as well as “covetousness,” the reference cannot be restricted to the latter, though I think it is not excluded. Translate, “when we might have borne heavily upon you,” by pressing you with the weight of self-glorifying authority, and with the burden of our sustenance. Thus the antithesis is appropriate in the words following, “But we were gentle (the opposite of pressing weightily) among you” (1 Th 2:7). On weight being connected with authority, compare Note, see on 2 Co 10:10, “His letters are weighty” (1 Co 4:21). ALFORD’S translation, which excludes reference to his right of claiming maintenance (“when we might have stood on our dignity”), seems to me disproved by 1 Th 2:9, which uses the same Greek word unequivocally for “chargeable.” Twice he received supplies from Philippi while at Thessalonica (Php 4:16).

2:11 like a father Paul considered himself to be a spiritual father to those he led to Christ (e.g., 1 Cor 4:15; Phlm 10). Drawing on this image, Paul describes how he played the role of a father by helping his children mature in the faith after their conversion.