1 Thessalonians 2
Concerning the Missionaries’ Motives (2:1–6)
2:1 Now you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you are aware, we had the courage in our God to proclaim the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. 3 For the appeal we make is not based on deception or impure motives or cunning. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men who God has found worthy to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came using flattering speech, as you well know, nor were we motivated by greed—God is our witness. 6 We did not seek the honor of men, neither from you nor from others,
Concerning the Missionaries’ Maintenance (2:7–9)
7 although we could have wielded our authority as Apostles of Christ, but instead, we were gentle among you like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So deep was our affection for you we determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our very own souls, because you had become so dearly beloved by us. 9 For you remember, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship. We labored night and day so that we would not be a burden to any one of you as we preached the gospel of God.
Concerning the Missionaries’ Behavior (2:10–12)
10 Both you and God are witnesses of how devoutly, justly, and blamelessly we behaved among you who believed. 11 As you know, we treated each and every one of you like a father treats his children. 12 We encouraged you, consoled you, and implored you to conduct yourselves worthily before God who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.
The Human Opposition to God’s Word (2:13–16)
13 For this we also give thanks to God constantly, that when you accepted the word of God that you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men, but instead you welcomed it even as it truly is, the word of God that operates in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus, in that you yourselves suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they also did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out and did not please God and oppose all people, 16 who hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, to always fill up the measure of their sins. But God’s strong indignation has finally come upon them.
Paul’s Desire to Visit the Church Again (2:17–20)
17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time, in person not in thought, we became all the more eager to see your face with a great desire. 18 Therefore, we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, tried several times), but Satan prevented us. 19 For who is our hope and our joy and our crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it indeed not you? 20 For you are our glory and our joy.
