1 Tessalonicenses 2

Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians

1 For you yourselves know, brothers,*2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 that our *ch. 1:9coming to you *[2 Thess. 1:10]was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated *Acts 16:22-24at Philippi, as you know, *See Acts 4:13we had boldness in our God *Acts 17:2-9to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much *Phil. 1:30conflict. 3 For *[2 Cor. 2:17] our appeal does not spring from *2 Thess. 2:11error or *ch. 4:7impurity or *2 Cor. 4:2any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God *See Gal. 2:7to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not *See Gal. 1:10to please man, but to please God *Ps. 17:3;See Rom. 8:27who tests our hearts. 5 *See Acts 20:33For we never came with words of flattery,*2:5 Or with a flattering speech as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—*ver. 10;See Rom. 1:9God is witness. 6 *[2 Cor. 4:5]; See John 5:41Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, *1 Cor. 9:4;2 Thess. 3:9;[Philem. 8,9] though we could have made *[ver. 9;2 Cor. 11:9] demands as *See 1 Cor. 9:1apostles of Christ. 7 But we were *2 Tim. 2:24;[1 Cor. 14:20] gentle*2:7 Some manuscripts infants among you, *[ver. 11; Isa. 49:23;60:16]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 *See 2 Cor. 12:15but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, *2 Thess. 3:8;[Phil. 4:16] our labor and toil: we *See Acts 18:3worked 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 *ver. 5God also, *See ch. 1:5how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, *[ver. 7]; See 1 Cor. 4:14like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and *Eph. 4:17charged *See Eph. 4:1you to walk in a manner worthy of God, *ch. 5:24;2 Thess. 2:14;1 Pet. 5:10;See Rom. 8:28who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And *See ch. 1:2,3we also thank God constantly*2:13 Or without ceasing for this, that when you received *[Rom. 10:17] the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it *[Gal. 4:14]; See Matt. 10:20not as the word of men*2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women but as what it really is, the word of God, *Heb. 4:12which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, *See ch. 1:6became imitators of *See 1 Cor. 7:17the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For *ch. 3:4;Acts 17:5;2 Thess. 1:4,5you suffered the same things from your own countrymen *[Heb. 10:33,34]as they did from the Jews,*2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time15 *See Luke 24:20who killed both the Lord Jesus and *Jer. 2:30;Matt. 23:29-34;See Matt. 5:12the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and *[Esth. 3:8]oppose all mankind 16 *Acts 13:45,50;14:2,19;17:5,13;18:12;22:21,22by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always *See Gen. 15:16to fill up the measure of their sins. But *See ch. 1:10wrath has come upon them at last!*2:16 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, *1 Cor. 5:3;Col. 2:5in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire *ch. 3:10to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan *Rom. 15:22;[Rom. 1:13]hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or *See Phil. 4:1joy or crown of boasting *1 Cor. 15:31;[2 Thess. 1:4]; See 2 Cor. 1:14before our Lord Jesus at his *ch. 3:13;4:15;5:23;Matt. 24:3;1 Cor. 15:23;2 Thess. 2:1,8;James 5:7,8;2 Pet. 1:16;3:4,12;1 John 2:28coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.