Paul’s Conduct

1For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visita with you was not without result. 2On the contrary, after we had previously suffereda and were treated outrageously in Philippi,b as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impuritya or an intent to deceive.b 4Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusteda with the gospel,b so we speak, not to please people, but rather God,c who examines our hearts.d 5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedya motivesb — God is our witnessc —  6and we didn’t seek glorya from people, either from you or from others. 7Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,a instead we were gentleA among you, as a nurseB nurtures her own children. 8We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Workinga night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10You are witnesses,a and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,b and blamelesslyc we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11As you know, like a father with his own children,a 12we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God,a who calls you into his own kingdomb and glory.c

Reception and Opposition to the Message

13This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,a the word of God,b which also works effectively in you who believe. 14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,a since you have also sufferedb the same things from people of your own country,c just as they did from the Jews 15who killed the Lord Jesusa and the prophets and persecuted us.b They displease God and are hostile to everyone, 16by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit,a and wrath has overtaken them at last.A

Paul’s Desire to See Them

17But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave youA for a short time (in person, not in hearta), we greatly desired and made every effort to returnb and see you face to face. 18So we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satana hindered us. 19For who is our hope or joya or crownb of boastingc in the presence of our Lordd Jesus at his coming?e Is it not you?f 20Indeed you are our glorya and joy!