Paul’s Ministry

1For ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance among you, that it was not in vain. 2But though we had suffered before and been injuriously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we spake boldly in the name of our God to declare unto you the gospel of God with much conflict. 3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of impurity, nor in guile: 4but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. 5For neither at any time used we flattering speech, as ye know, nor covetous pretence, God is witness: 6nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others: though we might have expected maintenance, as the apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8so we, being affectionately desirous of you, were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but even our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for working night and day, that we might not be burthensome to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God. 10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved towards you that believe: 11as ye know likewise, how we exhorted and comforted every one of you, as a father his children; 12and charged you, that ye should walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his kingdom and glory.

13For this also we thank God continually, that when ye received the word of God, which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which also worketh effectually in you that believe. 14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus, in that ye also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they have from the Jews: 15who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; who are displeasing to God, and contrary to all men: 16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, thus going on to fill up their sins perpetually: but wrath is coming upon them to extremity.

Paul’s Longing to Visit

17But we, brethren, being separated from you for a season, in person not in heart, endeavoured the more earnestly to see you again with much desire. 18Wherefore we would have come unto you (even I Paul) once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? are not ye also among others in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20for ye are our glory and our joy.