1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians

1 For you yourselves know, brothers ▼
▼ Or  brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
 that our b coming to you c was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated d at Philippi, as you know e we had boldness in our God f to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much g conflict. 3 For h our appeal does not spring from i error or j impurity or k any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God l to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not m to please man, but to please God n who tests our hearts. 5  o For we never came with words of flattery ▼
▼ Or  with a flattering speech
 as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— q God is witness. 6  r Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others s though we could have made t demands as u apostles of Christ. 7 But we were v gentle ▼
▼ Some manuscripts infants
 among you x like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God y but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers z our labor and toil: we aa worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and ab God also, ac how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how ad like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and ae charged af you to walk in a manner worthy of God, ag who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And ah we also thank God constantly ▼
▼ Or without ceasing
 for this, that when you received aj the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it ak not as the word of men ▼
▼ The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
 but as what it really is, the word of God, am which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers an became imitators of ao the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For ap you suffered the same things from your own countrymen aq as they did from the Jews ▼
▼ The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
 15  as who killed both the Lord Jesus and at the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and au oppose all mankind 16  av by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always aw to fill up the measure of their sins. But ax wrath has come upon them at last! ▼
▼ Or completely, or forever

Paul’s Longing to See Them Again

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time az in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire ba to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan bb hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or bc joy or crown of boasting bd before our Lord Jesus at his be coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

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