1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
1For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn't in vain, #church
2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Gospel of God in much conflict. #gospel#bestlifenow
3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. #howitreallyis#argument
4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. #gospel#judgement#evangelism
5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), #argument
6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. #argument#evangelism
7But we were gentle among of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children. #argument#evangelism
8Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. #evangelism#gospel#sacrifice
9For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Gospel of God. #evangelism#money
10You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
11As you know how we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. #discipleship#bestlifenow
13For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe. #wordshavepower#gospel#bible
14For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews; #church#suffering
15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men; #ot#prophet
16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. #salvation#evangelism#judgement
17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
18because we wanted to come to you--indeed, I, Paul, once and again-- but Satan hindered us.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus{TR adds "Christ"} at his coming? #hope#discipleship
20For you are our glory and our joy. #joy