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.
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our acceptance among you was not emptyInstead, 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 solicitudeFor our exhortation was not in error, nor from impurity, nor with deceptionBut, 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 heartsAnd neither did we, at any time, become flattering in speech, as you know, nor did we seek an opportunity for avarice, as God is witnessNor did we seek the glory of men, neither from you, nor from othersAnd 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 childrenSo 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 usFor 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 youYou are witnesses, as is God, of how holy and just and blameless we were with you who have believedAnd you know the manner, with each one of you, like a father with his sonsin 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 gloryFor 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 believedFor 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 Jewswho 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 menThey 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 endAnd 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 desireFor we wanted to come to you, (indeed, I, Paul, attempted to do so once, and then again,) but Satan impeded usFor what is our hope, and our joy, and our crown of glory? Is it not you, before our Lord Jesus Christ at his returnFor you are our glory and our joy
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