1 Thessalonians 2
2
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
1For you yourselves know, brothers,#2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 that our #ch. 1:9 coming to you #[2 Thess. 1:10]was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated #Acts 16:22-24 at Philippi, as you know, #See Acts 4:13 we had boldness in our God #Acts 17:2-9 to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much #Phil. 1:30conflict. 3For #[2 Cor. 2:17] our appeal does not spring from #2 Thess. 2:11 error or #ch. 4:7 impurity or #2 Cor. 4:2any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God #See Gal. 2:7 to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not #See Gal. 1:10 to please man, but to please God #Ps. 17:3; See Rom. 8:27who tests our hearts. 5#See Acts 20:33 For we never came with words of flattery,#2:5 Or with a flattering speech as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—#ver. 10; See Rom. 1:9God is witness. 6#[2 Cor. 4:5]; See John 5:41 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, #1 Cor. 9:4; 2 Thess. 3:9; [Philem. 8, 9] though we could have made #[ver. 9; 2 Cor. 11:9] demands as #See 1 Cor. 9:1apostles of Christ. 7But we were #2 Tim. 2:24; [1 Cor. 14:20] gentle#2:7 Some manuscripts infants among you, #[ver. 11; Isa. 49:23; 60:16]like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God #See 2 Cor. 12:15but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9For you remember, brothers, #2 Thess. 3:8; [Phil. 4:16] our labor and toil: we #See Acts 18:3worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and #ver. 5 God also, #See ch. 1:5how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, #[ver. 7]; See 1 Cor. 4:14like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and #Eph. 4:17 charged #See Eph. 4:1 you to walk in a manner worthy of God, #ch. 5:24; 2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Pet. 5:10; See Rom. 8:28who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13And #See ch. 1:2, 3 we also thank God constantly#2:13 Or without ceasing for this, that when you received #[Rom. 10:17] the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it #[Gal. 4:14]; See Matt. 10:20 not as the word of men#2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women but as what it really is, the word of God, #Heb. 4:12which is at work in you believers. 14For you, brothers, #See ch. 1:6 became imitators of #See 1 Cor. 7:17 the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For #ch. 3:4; Acts 17:5; 2 Thess. 1:4, 5 you suffered the same things from your own countrymen #[Heb. 10:33, 34]as they did from the Jews,#2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time 15#See Luke 24:20 who killed both the Lord Jesus and #Jer. 2:30; Matt. 23:29-34; See Matt. 5:12 the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and #[Esth. 3:8]oppose all mankind 16#Acts 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 17:5, 13; 18:12; 22:21, 22 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always #See Gen. 15:16 to fill up the measure of their sins. But #See ch. 1:10wrath has come upon them at last!#2:16 Or completely, or forever
Paul’s Longing to See Them Again
17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, #1 Cor. 5:3; Col. 2:5 in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire #ch. 3:10to see you face to face, 18because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan #Rom. 15:22; [Rom. 1:13]hindered us. 19For what is our hope or #See Phil. 4:1 joy or crown of boasting #1 Cor. 15:31; [2 Thess. 1:4]; See 2 Cor. 1:14 before our Lord Jesus at his #ch. 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; Matt. 24:3; 1 Cor. 15:23; 2 Thess. 2:1, 8; James 5:7, 8; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:4, 12; 1 John 2:28coming? Is it not you? 20For you are our glory and joy.
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