If you can't refute the argument, then you can attack the person, and the best way to attack a person is to question the motives. So Paul is responding to attacks upon the Good News of Jesus Christ by those who have attacked him and questioned his motives for coming to Thessalonica. He rejoices that when he came to preach, people heard the message joyfully. Paul says he preaches because he has to. He preaches to please God. But, of course, there were some who suggested that Paul was really preaching from some other reason. He was preaching in order to enhance his own self-interest.

We have become pretty cynical about public people. Why is that person being so nice to me? Better hold on to my wallet. No sooner does the president get through a speech than somebody on some television talk sh…