1 Thessalonians 2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 2
Paul’s Loving Treatment of the Thessalonians.[a] 1 You yourselves are well aware, brethren, that our visit to you has not been in vain. 2 Although we had suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you surely recall, God gave us the courage to declare the gospel of God to you despite great opposition.
3 The exhortation we impart does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery. 4 God has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the gospel. Therefore, when we speak, our intention is not to please human beings but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 As you are also aware, and as God is our witness, we have never resorted to flattering words or to your sense of greed. 6 Neither did we seek praise from human beings, whether from you or from others.
7 As apostles of Christ, we could have imposed our will on you,[b] yet we were as gentle in our treatment of you as a mother nursing and caring for her own children. 8 Our affection for you was so great that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our very lives, because you had become so dear to us.
9 You surely remember, brethren, our toil and drudgery as we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, as is God, that our treatment of you who believed has been devout, upright, and blameless.
11 As you are well aware, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading with you to lead lives worthy of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 The Word of God Is at Work.[c] We also unceasingly give thanks to God because, when we handed on the word of God to you, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it truly is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 Indeed, brethren, you have become imitators of the Churches of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you have suffered the same treatment from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets and also persecuted us.
They displease God and have become enemies of the entire human race 16 by trying to prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way, they constantly reach the full measure of their sins. The wrath of God has begun to overtake them at last.
17 The Glory and Joy of the Apostles.[d] Brethren, when we were separated from you for a brief time—in body but not in heart—we had an intense longing to see you again face to face. 18 Therefore, we were determined to come to visit you—I, Paul, on more than one occasion—but Satan thwarted us.[e] 19 For what is our hope or our joy or our crown of honor in the presence of our Lord Jesus upon his return? Is it not you yourselves? 20 You truly are our glory and our joy.[f]
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 In the quest for disciples, fame, and profit, the teachers of thought and of religion seek to found schools in this city where all currents came together at the time. Paul sketches for himself another portrait, that of messenger of Christ. Fearlessness, openness, and authenticity are the mark of the apostle seized by the Gospel. The missionary fervor takes root in God and in Jesus Christ and transforms human hearts. It then creates ties that are as strong as those of parenthood.
Paul always wanted to combine evangelization with manual work; this was doubtless to earn his own living and not be a burden on anyone, but also to reach out to human beings where they were living their lives (see Acts 20:33-35; 2 Cor 11:7-20; 12:13-18; 2 Thes 3:7-9). But he was also able to devote himself entirely to preaching (see Acts 18:3-5). - 1 Thessalonians 2:7 We could have imposed our will on you: another possible translation is: “we could have been a burden to you.” It was accepted among the early Christians that apostles are entitled to the support of the Churches (see 1 Cor 9:3-14; 2 Cor 11:7-11). Paul insisted on this right although he did not always make use of it.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 It is the Word of God that is at work in the preaching of the apostles. Heard and accepted, then recognized as coming from God, it deploys its energy in the life of human beings. It prompts pagan converts to imitate Christ with the same ardor possessed by Christians of the mother Church of Jerusalem. Hence, the converts are not second-class believers. The beautiful title “you who believe” immediately designated those who accepted the Gospel.
We are amazed by the violent indictment leveled by Paul at his compatriots, for on several occasions he states his pride in belonging to the Jewish people (see 2 Cor 11:22; Phil 3:4-6) and proclaims his love for his racial brothers and sisters (see Rom 9:3-5; 10:2—11:2). His reaction here flows from the persecution that the Jewish colony carried out against him at each stage of his mission, whereas in his view the people of the Promise should discover in the Gospel the fulfillment of their historic mission.
Paul reprises the vehement diatribe of the Prophets against the blindness of the chosen people and calls down the wrath of God and his judgment (see 1 Thes 1:10). This threat is addressed against all who oppose the call of salvation that awaits them (see Rom 2:8) and especially against those who hinder others from responding to that call. When Paul paints a picture of the pagan life, he gives hardly more than a nuance of it. Hence, this passage cannot be used to justify any anti-Semitism (see Rom 1:18-22). - 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Paul perceives the hand of Satan—i.e., the forces hostile to God and to the fulfillment of human beings—behind everything that paralyzes his missionary action.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 But Satan thwarted us: we do not know how this occurred. Concerning Satan as enemy of the Gospel, (see Rom 16:20; 1 Cor 7:5; 2 Cor 11:14; Eph 6:11-13; 1 Tim 3:6). Hence, he has already been defeated (see Col 2:15), and Christians should not feel overwhelmed by him (see Eph 6:16). His final overthrow is certain (Rev 20:10).
- 1 Thessalonians 2:20 You truly are our glory and our joy: this is true now (see Phil 4:1) as well as at the Second Coming of the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2
New King James Version
Paul’s Conduct(A)
2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (B)Philippi, as you know, we were (C)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as (E)we have been approved by God (F)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (G)not as pleasing men, but God (H)who tests our hearts. 5 For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. 6 (K)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (L)we might have (M)made demands (N)as apostles of Christ. 7 But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (P)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (Q)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our (R)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, (S)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 (T)You are witnesses, and God also, (U)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 (V)that you would walk worthy of God (W)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Their Conversion
13 For this reason we also thank God (X)without ceasing, because when you (Y)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (Z)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (AA)works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators (AB)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For (AC)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 (AD)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AE)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God (AF)and are [d]contrary to all men, 16 (AG)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always (AH)to fill up the measure of their sins; (AI)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
Longing to See Them
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time (AJ)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but (AK)Satan hindered us. 19 For (AL)what is our hope, or joy, or (AM)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the (AN)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ (AO)at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile
1 Thessalonians 2
English Standard Version
Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
2 For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our (A)coming to you (B)was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated (C)at Philippi, as you know, (D)we had boldness in our God (E)to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much (F)conflict. 3 For (G)our appeal does not spring from (H)error or (I)impurity or (J)any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God (K)to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not (L)to please man, but to please God (M)who tests our hearts. 5 (N)For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—(O)God is witness. 6 (P)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, (Q)though we could have made (R)demands as (S)apostles of Christ. 7 But we were (T)gentle[c] among you, (U)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God (V)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, (W)our labor and toil: we (X)worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and (Y)God also, (Z)how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, (AA)like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and (AB)charged (AC)you to walk in a manner worthy of God, (AD)who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And (AE)we also thank God constantly[d] for this, that when you received (AF)the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it (AG)not as the word of men[e] but as what it really is, the word of God, (AH)which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, (AI)became imitators of (AJ)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For (AK)you suffered the same things from your own countrymen (AL)as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 (AM)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AN)the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and (AO)oppose all mankind 16 (AP)by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always (AQ)to fill up the measure of their sins. But (AR)wrath has come upon them at last![g]
Paul's Longing to See Them Again
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, (AS)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire (AT)to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan (AU)hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or (AV)joy or crown of boasting (AW)before our Lord Jesus at his (AX)coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever
1 Thessalonians 2
The Message
2 1-2 So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.
No Hidden Agendas
3-5 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
6-8 Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t standoffish with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
9-12 You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.
13 And now we look back on all this and thank God, a geyser of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!
14-16 Friends, do you realize that you followed in the exact footsteps of the churches of God in Judea, those who were the first to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ? You got the same bad treatment from your countrymen as they did from theirs, the Jews who killed the Master Jesus (to say nothing of the prophets) and followed it up by running us out of town. They make themselves offensive to God and everyone else by trying to keep us from telling people who’ve never heard of our God how to be saved. They’ve made a career of opposing God, and have gotten mighty good at it. But God is fed up, ready to put an end to it.
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17-20 Do you have any idea how very homesick we became for you, dear friends? Even though it hadn’t been that long and it was only our bodies that were separated from you, not our hearts, we tried our very best to get back to see you. You can’t imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan thwarted us each time. Who do you think we’re going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it’s not you? You’re our pride and joy!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson