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 did not seek to burden the Thessalonians, instead treating them with paternal care and concern. The Thessalonians had imitated the churches of Judea in Christ Jesus, suffering persecution from their fellow countrymen, but the apostles took comfort in knowing that the Thessalonians had accepted the Word of God and were living according to it. The apostles' hope and joy were the Thessalonians themselves, whom they longed to see again and who would be their crown of glory at Christ's return.
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our acceptance among you was not empty 2 Instead, 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 solicitude 3 For our exhortation was not in error, nor from impurity, nor with deception 4 But, 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 hearts 5 And neither did we, at any time, become flattering in speech, as you know, nor did we seek an opportunity for avarice, as God is witness 6 Nor did we seek the glory of men, neither from you, nor from others 7 And 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 children 8 So 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 us 9 For 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 you 10 You are witnesses, as is God, of how holy and just and blameless we were with you who have believed 11 And you know the manner, with each one of you, like a father with his sons 12 in 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 glory 13 For 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 believed 14 For 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 Jews 15 who 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 men 16 They 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 end 17 And 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 desire 18 For we wanted to come to you, (indeed, I, Paul, attempted to do so once, and then again,) but Satan impeded us 19 For what is our hope, and our joy, and our crown of glory? Is it not you, before our Lord Jesus Christ at his return 20 For you are our glory and our joy