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保罗在帖撒罗尼迦的工作

弟兄们,你们都知道,我们进到你们那里,并不是白费工夫的。 我们从前在腓立比虽然受了苦,又被凌辱,可是靠着我们的 神,在强烈的反对之下,仍然放胆向你们述说 神的福音,这是你们知道的。 我们的呼吁,不是错谬的,不是污秽的,也没有诡诈。 相反地, 神既然考验过我们,把福音委托给我们,我们就传讲,不像是讨人欢心的,而是讨那察验我们心思的 神的喜悦。 我们从来不说奉承的话,这是你们知道的, 神可以作证,我们并没有借故起贪心, 6-7 也没有向你们或别人求取人的荣誉。我们身为基督使徒的,虽然有权利受人尊敬,但我们在你们中间却是谦和的,就像母亲乳养自己的孩子。 我们这样疼爱你们,不但乐意把 神的福音传给你们,连自己的性命也乐意给你们,因为你们是我们所爱的。 弟兄们,你们应该记得我们的辛苦和劳碌;我们把 神的福音传给你们的时候,怎样昼夜作工,免得你们有人受累。 10 我们对你们信的人是多么圣洁、公义、无可指摘,这是你们和 神都可以作证的。 11 正如你们知道的,我们是怎样好象父亲对待儿女一样对待你们各人: 12 劝勉你们,鼓励你们,叮嘱你们,要你们行事为人,配得上那召你们进入他的国和荣耀的 神。

13 我们也为这缘故不住感谢 神,因为你们接受了我们所传的 神的道,不认为这是人的道,而认为这确实是 神的道。这道也运行在你们信的人里面。 14 弟兄们,你们好象犹太地在基督耶稣里 神的众教会一样,他们怎样遭受犹太人的迫害,你们也照样遭受同族人的迫害。 15 这些犹太人杀了主耶稣和众先知,又把我们赶出来。他们得不到 神的喜悦,并且和所有的人作对, 16 阻挠我们向外族人传道,不让他们得救,以致恶贯满盈。 神的忿怒终必临到他们身上。

保罗渴望再访帖撒罗尼迦

17 弟兄们,我们被迫暂时离开你们,不过是身体离开,心却没有离开。我们非常渴望再见到你们。 18 因此,我们很想到你们那里去,我保罗也一再想去,只是撒但阻挡了我们。 19 我们主耶稣再来的时候,我们在他面前的盼望、喜乐或所夸耀的冠冕是甚么呢?不就是你们吗? 20 是的,你们就是我们的荣耀,我们的喜乐。

派提摩太前往

我们既然不能再忍下去,就决定留在雅典, 派我们的弟兄,就是在基督的福音上和 神同工的提摩太去,为了要在你们的信仰上坚定你们,劝慰你们, 免得有人在各样的患难中动摇了。你们自己知道,我们受患难原是命定的。 我们在你们那里的时候,早已对你们说过,我们将会遭受患难。后来应验了,这是你们知道的。 因此,我既然不能再忍下去,就派人去打听你们的信心怎样;恐怕那试探人的诱惑了你们,以致我们的劳苦白费了。

提摩太刚刚从你们那里回来,把你们信心和爱心的好消息带给我们。他还说,你们常常怀念我们,切切想见我们,好象我们想见你们一样。 所以弟兄们,我们在这一切困苦患难中,因着你们的信心就得了安慰。 如果你们在主里站立得稳,我们就可以活下去了。 我们因你们的缘故,在我们的 神面前满有喜乐;为这一切喜乐,我们可以为你们向 神献上怎么样的感谢呢! 10 我们昼夜迫切祈求,要见你们的面,并且要补满你们信心的不足。

11 愿我们的父 神自己和我们的主耶稣为我们开路,使我们可以到你们那里去。 12 又愿主叫你们彼此相爱的心,和爱众人的心,都充充足足,多而又多,好象我们爱你们一样。 13 也愿他坚定你们的心,好叫你们在我们主耶稣和众圣徒再来的时候,在我们的父 神面前,完全圣洁,无可指摘。

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Paul Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his[a] gospel in spite of strong opposition. For our appeal to you[b] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— even though as apostles of the Messiah[c] we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle[d] among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us. Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. 10 You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe. 11 You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats[e] his children. 12 We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls[f] you into his kingdom and glory.

How the Thessalonians Welcomed the Gospel

13 Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is—the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah[g] Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the[h] prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people, 16 as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed.[i] However, wrath has overtaken them at last!

Timothy’s Report to Paul

17 Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while—in person but not in heart—we eagerly desire to see you again face to face. 18 That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come[j] time and again, but Satan blocked our way. 19 After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for[k] rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn’t it? 20 Yes, you are our glory and joy!

Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah,[l] to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what happened. But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy[m] to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time.

Paul Rejoices about the Thessalonians

But Timothy has just now returned from visiting[n] you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, just as we want to see you. That’s why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God’s presence because of you? 10 We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with[o] whatever is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. 12 May the Lord greatly increase your love[p] for each other and for all people, just as we love you.[q] 13 Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints.[r]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Lit. God’s
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 The Gk. lacks to you
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or Christ
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Other mss. read infants
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 The Gk. lacks treats
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 Other mss. read called
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Or Christ
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Other mss. read their own
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 The Gk. lacks they have committed
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 The Gk. lacks wanted to come
  11. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Lit. or crown of
  12. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Or Christ; other mss. lack of the Messiah
  13. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 The Gk lacks Timothy
  14. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 The Gk. lacks visiting
  15. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 The Gk. lacks you with
  16. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Lit. cause you to increase and abound in love
  17. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Lit. as we for you
  18. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or holy ones; other mss. read saints. Amen

Paul’s Ministry

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our [a](A)reception among you (B)was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been (C)treated abusively in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God [b]amid much [c](G)opposition. For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or [d]by way of (K)deceit; (L)but just as we have been approved by God to be (M)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (N)not intending to please people, but to please God, who [e](O)examines our hearts. For we never came [f]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext [g]for greed—(Q)God is our witness— nor did we (R)seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though [h]we could have [i]asserted our authority as (S)apostles of Christ. But we [j]proved to be [k](T)gentle [l]among you. (U)As a nursing mother [m]tenderly cares for her own children, in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to (V)share with you not only the (W)gospel of God, but also our own [n]lives, because you had become [o]very dear to us.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our (X)labor and hardship: it was by (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, of (AC)how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we [p]behaved toward you [q]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and (AE)imploring each one of you as (AF)a father would his own children, 12 so that you would (AG)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (AH)calls you into His own kingdom and (AI)glory.

13 For this reason we also constantly (AJ)thank God that when you received the (AK)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it (AL)not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, (AM)which also is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became (AN)imitators of (AO)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are (AP)in Judea, for (AQ)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, (AR)even as they did from the Jews, 15 (AS)who both killed the Lord Jesus and (AT)the prophets, and [r]drove us out. [s]They are not pleasing to God, [t]but hostile to all people, 16 (AU)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (AV)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always [u](AW)reach the limit of their sins. But (AX)wrath has come upon them [v]fully.

17 But we, brothers and sisters, having been orphaned from you by absence for a [w]short while—(AY)in [x]person, not in [y]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire (AZ)to see your face. 18 [z]For (BA)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, [aa](BB)more than once—and (BC)Satan (BD)hindered us. 19 For who is our hope, or (BE)joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [ab](BF)coming? Or is it not indeed you? 20 For you are (BG)our glory and joy.

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

Therefore, (BH)when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at (BI)Athens, and we sent (BJ)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, so that no one would be [ac]disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (BK)we have been destined for this. For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; [ad](BL)and so it happened, [ae]as you know. For this reason, (BM)when I could no longer endure it, I also (BN)sent to [af]find out about your faith, for fear that (BO)the tempter might have tempted you, and (BP)our labor would be for nothing.

But now that (BQ)Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of (BR)your faith and love, and that you always (BS)think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you (BT)stand firm in the Lord. For (BU)what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 as we (BV)keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may (BW)see your faces, and may (BX)complete what is lacking in your faith?

11 (BY)Now may (BZ)our God and Father (CA)Himself, and our Lord Jesus, (CB)direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and (CC)overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may (CD)establish your hearts (CE)blameless in holiness before (CF)our God and Father at the [ag](CG)coming of our Lord Jesus (CH)with all His [ah]saints.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or coming to you
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or during
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle; or conflict
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 I.e., to conceal greed
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or been burdensome as
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
  11. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss infants
  12. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
  13. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
  14. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
  15. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved
  16. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
  17. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe
  18. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us
  19. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  20. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  21. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Lit complete their
  22. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever; lit to the end
  23. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour
  24. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face
  25. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart
  26. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because
  27. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice
  28. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence
  29. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 Or deceived
  30. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit just as
  31. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit and
  32. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Or to know, to ascertain
  33. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or presence
  34. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people