κολακεία

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 2:5

Range of meaning

Flattery as a known social vice: pleasing, ingratiating speech used to gain advantage from the person flattered. In Greek and Roman thought the flatterer (kolax) was a stock figure. He was the fake friend, the parasite at a rich man's table, the courtier who praises the king, the speaker who tells the crowd what it wants to hear. He was set against the true friend and the honest philosopher, who speak frankly (parrhēsia) even when it hurts.

Against the English

Modern 'flattery' usually means excessive or insincere compliments, a small social fault. Kolakeia is broader and darker. It is a whole strategy of manipulation, where pleasing speech is the tool and personal gain is the goal. It does not need to involve praise. Softening hard truths, adapting your message to keep an audience happy, or currying favour with patrons all count.

How it drifted

English 'flattery' has narrowed to 'insincere praise' and lost the ancient sense of a recognised kind of exploitative relationship.

Used elsewhere in the period

Its only New Testament use is here. It is a major topic in moral philosophy: Plutarch wrote a whole essay, How to Tell a Flatterer from a Friend (Moralia); the Epicurean Philodemus wrote On Flattery; and Philo of Alexandria repeatedly sets flattery against true friendship. Dio Chrysostom (Oration 32) criticises wandering speakers who flatter crowds for gain, and contrasts them with the true philosopher who speaks boldly. That contrast is very close to 1 Thess 2:2–7.