Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica
1 Thessalonians 2For y’all know, siblings, that our visit to y’all wasn’t in vain. Although we suffered and were mistreated in Philippi, as y’all know, we found confidence in our God to tell y’all the gospel of God amid deep opposition. For our exhortation does not come from error, impurity, or deception. Rather, we speak as those who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel—not to please humans, but God, who tests our hearts. For y’all know that we never came with flattering speech or with a cover for greed—God is our witness— nor did we seek glory from humans, not from y’all or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were gentle among y’all. As a nursing mother cherishes her own children, so we have a fond affection for y’all. We were happy to share with y’all not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because y’all had become beloved to us. For y’all remember, siblings, our labor and hardship. By working night and day and not burdening y’all, we preached the gospel of God to y’all. Y’all are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless we were among y’all who believe. As y’all know, we exhorted and comforted every one of y’all, as a father does his own children, imploring y’all to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls y’all into ʜɪꜱ own empire and glory.
And we also thank God constantly because when y’all received the word of God from us, y’all accepted it not as a human word, but as it is in truth, God’s word, which also works in y’all who believe. For siblings, y’all became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea in that y’all suffered from your* own countrymen, just as they did from the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing God, and are opposed to all humans, forbidding us to speak to the ethnic groups so that they may be saved. Thus they always fill up their sins, but wrath has come on them to completion.
Paul’s Suffering Apart from the Thessalonians
But siblings, when we were taken away from y’all for a short time (in presence, not in heart), we became all the more eager in our great desire to see y’all’s face. For we wanted to come to y’all—indeed, I, Paul, tried more than once—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Isn’t it y’all in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? For y’all are our glory and our joy.