1 Thessalonians 2
The apostles' ministry among the Thessalonians was genuine and selfless, motivated by a desire to please God rather than men. They worked hard to support themselves and preached the Gospel without seeking personal gain or glory. The Thessalonians had become like family to them, and they were eager to see them again, but were hindered by Satan. The apostles took pride and joy in the Thessalonians' faith, considering them their crown of glory before the Lord Jesus Christ.
1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our acceptance among you was not empty2Instead, having previously suffered and been treated shamefully, as you know, at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, so as to speak the Gospel of God to you with much solicitude3For our exhortation was not in error, nor from impurity, nor with deception4But, just as we have been tested by God, so that the Gospel would be entrusted to us, so also did we speak, not so as to please men, but rather to please God, who tests our hearts5And neither did we, at any time, become flattering in speech, as you know, nor did we seek an opportunity for avarice, as God is witness6Nor did we seek the glory of men, neither from you, nor from others7And although we could have been a burden to you, as Apostles of Christ, instead we became like little ones in your midst, like a nurse cherishing her children8So desirous were we for you that we were willing to hand over to you, not only the Gospel of God, but even our own souls. For you have become most beloved to us9For you remember, brothers, our hardship and weariness. We preached the Gospel of God among you, working night and day, so that we would not be burdensome to any of you10You are witnesses, as is God, of how holy and just and blameless we were with you who have believed11And you know the manner, with each one of you, like a father with his sons12in which we were pleading with you and consoling you, bearing witness, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory13For this reason also, we give thanks to God without ceasing: because, when you had accepted from us the Word of the hearing of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but (as it truly is) as the Word of God, who is working in you who have believed14For you, brothers, have become imitators of the churches of God which are at Judea, in Christ Jesus. For you, too, have suffered the same things from your fellow countrymen as they have suffered from the Jews15who also killed both the Lord Jesus, and the Prophets, and who have persecuted us. But they do not please God, and so they are adversaries to all men16They prohibit us to speak to the Gentiles, so that they may be saved, and thus do they continually add to their own sins. But the wrath of God will overtake them in the very end17And we, brothers, having been deprived of you for a short time, in sight, but not in heart, have hurried all the more to see your face, with a great desire18For we wanted to come to you, (indeed, I, Paul, attempted to do so once, and then again,) but Satan impeded us19For what is our hope, and our joy, and our crown of glory? Is it not you, before our Lord Jesus Christ at his return20For you are our glory and our joy
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