1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Work in Thessalonica

1 Brothers and sisters, you know our visit to you was not a failure.2 Before we came to you, we suffered in Philippi. People there insulted us, as you know, and many people were against us. But our God helped us to be brave and to tell you his Good News.3 Our appeal does not come from lies or wrong reasons, nor were we trying to trick you.4 But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.5 You know that we never tried to influence you by saying nice things about you. We were not trying to get your money; we had no selfishness to hide from you. God knows that this is true.6 We were not looking for human praise, from you or anyone else,

7 even though as apostles of Christ we could have used our authority over you.
But we were very gentle with you, 8 Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!

9 Brothers and sisters, I know you remember our hard work and difficulties. We worked night and day so we would not burden any of you while we preached God’s Good News to you.
10 When we were with you, we lived in a holy and honest way, without fault. You know this is true, and so does God.11 You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.

12 We encouraged you, we urged you, and we insisted that you live good lives for God, who calls you to his glorious kingdom.
13 Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God’s message which works in you who believe.14 Brothers and sisters, your experiences have been like those of God’s churches in Christ that are in Judea. 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and forced us to leave that country. They do not please God and are against all people.

16 They try to stop us from teaching those who are not Jews so they may be saved. By doing this, they are increasing their sins to the limit. The anger of God has come to them at last.

Paul Wants to Visit Them Again

17 Brothers and sisters, though we were separated from you for a short time, our thoughts were still with you. We wanted very much to see you and tried hard to do so.18 We wanted to come to you. I, Paul, tried to come more than once, but Satan stopped us.19 You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.20 Truly you are our glory and our joy.

1 Thessalonians 2

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:4 but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.7 But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children:8 even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe:11 as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,12 to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.14 For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews;15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men;16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.17 But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire:18 because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?20 For ye are our glory and our joy.