Shared Word Translation

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Ministry Among the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated in Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to speak to you the good news of God amid much conflict.

For our appeal does not come from error or impurity or deceit, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak—not to please human beings, but God, who tests our hearts.

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor seeking glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children. So, having deep affection for you, we were pleased to share with you not only the good news of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you remember, brothers and sisters, our labor and toil: working night and day so that we might not burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the good news of God.

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe; just as you know how we exhorted each one of you, as a father with his own children, encouraging and urging you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

The Thessalonians’ Response

And we also give thanks to God continually for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it truly is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of the churches of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you suffered the same things from your own people as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and do not please God and are hostile to all people,

hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved—so as always to fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.

Paul’s Desire to See Them Again

But we, brothers and sisters, having been torn away from you for a short time—in person, not in heart—endeavored all the more eagerly with great desire to see your face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.