5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also hin power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. iYou know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
1 For you yourselves know, brothers,1 that our wcoming to you was not xin vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated yat Philippi, as you know, we had zboldness in our God ato declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved bby God to be centrusted with the gospel, so we speak, dnot to please man, but to please God who etests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,2 as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—fGod is witness. 6 Nor did we gseek glory from people, whether from you or from others, hthough we could have made demands as iapostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle3 among you, jlike a knursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God lbut also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our mlabor and toil: we worked night and day, nthat we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 oYou are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and pcharged you to qwalk in a manner worthy of God, who rcalls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Paul’s Longing to See Them Again
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to dsee you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our ehope or fjoy or crown of gboasting before our Lord Jesus at his hcoming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, iwe were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and jwe sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker1 in the gospel of Christ, to kestablish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that lwe are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, mjust as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the ntempter had tempted you and our labor would be oin vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6 But pnow that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and qlove and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers,2 in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are rstanding fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly snight and day that we may tsee you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
