κολᾰκ-εία G2850
flattery, insincere speech designed to manipulate
Paul emphatically denies using flattery in his ministry to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:5), distinguishing genuine apostolic speech from manipulative rhetoric. Classical Greek literature extensively discusses flattery as a vice—fawning speech that seeks personal advantage rather than truth. The word conveys not just praise but the deceptive intent behind false words. Spanish 'adulación' and German 'Schmeichelei' both capture the negative, manipulative quality.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Paul's self-defense regarding his motives, he contrasts true gospel proclamation with 'words of flattery'—speech calculated to please hearers for selfish gain. The classical background includes extensive philosophical critique of flatterers who undermine virtue. All language witnesses emphasize the deceitful, self-serving nature of such speech rather than honest communication. 1×
AR["تَمَلُّقٍ"]·ben["তোষামোদের"]·DE["Schmeichelei"]·EN["of-flattery"]·FR["κολακείας"]·heb["חֲנֻפָּה"]·HI["चअप्लुसि-के"]·ID["pujian"]·IT["kolakeias"]·jav["bebedeg"]·KO["아첨의"]·PT["de-lisonja"]·RU["лести"]·ES["de-adulación"]·SW["la-kujipendekeza"]·TR["dalkavukluk"]·urd["چاپلوسی-کی"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κολᾰκ-εία, ἡ, flattery, fawning, Refs 5th c.BC+; περὶ κολακείας, title of treatise by Refs 1st c.BC+