Paul’s Ministry

1For ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it has not become vain; 2but, having suffered before, and having been shamefully treated, as ye know, in Philippi, we grew bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; 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 proveth our hearts. 5For neither, at any time, did we use a word of flattery, as ye know, nor a semblance of covetousness, God is witness; 6nor seeking glory of men, neither from you, nor from others; though able to be in authority, as apostles of Christ. 7But we became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children: 8so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye became dear to us.

9For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil; working night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you, we preached to you the Gospel of God. 10Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and righteously and unblamably we behaved toward you who believe; 11as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, 12that ye should walk worthily of God, Who is calling you into His own Kingdom and glory.

13And, for this reason, we also give thanks to God without ceasing, that, having received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which also is working in you who believe. 14For ye, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies of God, that are in Judaea in Christ Jesus; because ye suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they also did from the Jews; 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men; 16forbidding us to speak to the gentiles, that they might be saved, for the filling up of their sins always; and the wrath came upon them to the uttermost.

Paul’s Longing to Visit

17But we, brethren, having been bereft of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face, with great desire. 18Because we wished to come to you, even I, Paul, both once and again; and Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20For ye are our glory and joy.