Paul’s Ministry

1For you yourselves know, brethren, our entrance among you, that it was not in vain. 2But having suffered before, and having been outraged, as you know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in the midst of great peril. 3For our exhortation arose not from deception, nor from uncleanness, nor was it with guile; 4but as God had judged us worthy to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts. 5For neither nattering words did we at any time use, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness: 6nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others; though we could have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you. As a nurse nourishes her children, 8so, having a strong affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives also, because you had become dear to us.

9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for, laboring night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any one of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, in how holy and just and blameless a manner we conducted our selves among you that believe, 11as indeed you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father his children, 12that you should walk in a manner worthy of God, who has called you to his own kingdom and glory.

13For this reason, also, we thank God without ceasing; be cause, when you received the word of God, as preached by us, you embraced it, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works in you that believe. 14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea which are in Christ Jesus; for you, also, have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, that they have suffered from the Jews, 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and have persecuted us, and do not please God, and are opposed to all men, 16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, in order that they may fill up their sins at all times: but the wrath is coming upon them to the full.

Paul’s Longing to Visit

17But we, brethren, having been taken from you for a short time, in person, not in heart, did, with great desire, endeavor the more earnestly to see your face. 18For this reason, we intended to go to you, (I Paul) both once and again, but Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20You indeed are our glory and joy.