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.

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters,t about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless.t2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi,s as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of Godt in spite of much opposition.3 For the appeal we maket does not comet from error or impurity or with deceit,4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.5 For we never appearedt with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –6 nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,7 ts although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we becamet little childrens among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,8 with such affection for yout we were happyt to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.9 For you recall, brothers and sisters,t our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.10 You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.13 And sot we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us,t you accepted it not as a human message,t but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters,t of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophetss and persecuted us severely.t They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people,

16 because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins,t but wrathst has come upon them completely.t

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters,t for a short time (in presence, not in affection)t we became all the more fervent in our great desiret to see you in person.t18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again)t but Satan thwarted us.19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast ofs before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

20 For you are our glory and joy!