Paul’s Conduct in Thessalonica

1. For you yourselves know, brethren, our coming to you, that it has not been empty.
2. But having previously suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much struggle.
3. For our exhortation is not from error, nor from impurity, nor in deceit.
4. But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing people, but God, the One who tests our hearts.
5. For neither at any time did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext for greed, God is witness.
6. Nor seeking glory from people, neither from you nor from others, though having ability to be a burden as apostles of Christ.
7. But we became gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
8. So, longing for you, we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you became beloved to us.
9. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe.
11. Just as you know how, like a father to his own children,
12. we were exhorting each one of you and encouraging and testifying, so that you would walk worthily of God, the One calling you into His own kingdom and glory.

The Thessalonians’ Reception of the Word

13. And for this reason we also give thanks to God unceasingly, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of people, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.
14. For you became imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Jews,
15. who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us, and are not pleasing to God, and are contrary to all people,
16. hindering us from speaking to the nations so that they might be saved; so as always to fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the end.

Paul’s Longing to Return

17. But we, brethren, having been torn away from you for a short time, in face, not in heart, were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
18. Therefore we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, indeed both once and twice, and Satan hindered us.
19. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting, are not even you, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20. For you are our glory and joy.