Paul’s Conduct(A)

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

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. For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. (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. But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 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. 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.

Concern for Their Faith

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent (AP)Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, (AQ)that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that (AR)we are appointed to this. (AS)For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, (AT)lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and (AU)our labor might be in vain.

Encouraged by Timothy

(AV)But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, (AW)as we also to see you— therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress (AX)we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you (AY)stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face (AZ)and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Prayer for the Church

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, (BA)direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and (BB)abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish (BC)your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile

Paulus arbete i Thessalonike

Kära bröder, ni vet själva hur värdefullt det besöket var.

Ni vet hur illa vi blev behandlade i Filippi just innan vi kom till er, och hur mycket vi fick lida där. Men Gud gav oss mod att än en gång predika evangeliet, trots att vi var omgivna av fiender.

Ni måste förstå att vi inte hade några falska motiv eller bedrägliga avsikter i sinnet när vi predikade för er. Vi var fullständigt rättframma och uppriktiga.

Vi talar nämligen som budbärare från Gud, och han har gett oss uppdraget att berätta sanningen. Vi ändrar inte det minsta på det budskap han gett oss, för att det ska passa bättre för dem som hör det. Vi tjänar bara Gud, som genomskådar våra hjärtans innersta tankar.

Inte en enda gång försökte vi vinna er genom att ställa oss in hos er, och Gud vet att vi inte låtsades vara era vänner, för att ni skulle ge oss pengar.

Vi har aldrig strävat efter att få beröm av er eller någon annan,

även om vi som Kristi apostlar verkligen skulle ha rätt att bemötas med en viss respekt av er. Men vi var lika kärleksfulla mot er som en mor som vårdar och sköter sina barn.

Vi älskar er innerligt, så innerligt att vi inte bara gav er budskapet från Gud utan också våra egna liv.

Ni kommer nog ihåg, kära bröder, hur hårt vi arbetade bland er. Dag och natt slet vi och släpade för att tjäna tillräckligt för vårt uppehälle. Vi ville inte att våra utgifter under tiden som vi predikade Guds goda nyheter bland er, skulle bli till en börda för någon.

10 Och ni själva, liksom Gud, är vittnen att vi har varit rena, ärliga och fläckfria inför er allesammans.

11 Vi talade till er som en far talar till sina egna barn. Kommer ni inte ihåg det? Vi förmanade er, uppmuntrade er och vädjade till er

12 att leva så att det blev till ära och glädje för Gud, som har bjudit er in i sitt rike för att dela hans härlighet.

13 Och vi ska aldrig sluta att tacka Gud, för när vi predikade för er, så trodde ni inte att det vi sa bara var våra egna ord, utan ni tog emot det som Guds ord. Det var det naturligtvis och det förvandlade era liv.

14 Och sedan, kära bröder, fick ni lida på samma sätt som församlingarna i Judeen fick göra. Ni förföljdes av era egna landsmän, på samma sätt som de blev plågade av sina landsmän, judarna.

15 Sedan de först hade dödat sina egna profeter, avrättade de till och med Herren Jesus. Och nu har de förföljt oss lika hänsynslöst och drivit bort oss. De är fiender till både Gud och människor,

16 och de försöker hindra oss från att predika Guds ord för dem som inte är judar. De gör det av rädsla för att några bland dem ska bli frälsta. På så sätt blir deras synd allt större. Men nu har Guds vrede till slut drabbat dem.

17 Kära bröder, när vi hade lämnat er och varit borta från er en liten tid, fast ni fanns alltid i våra tankar, gjorde vi stora ansträngningar för att komma tillbaka och hälsa på er igen.

18 Vi ville väldigt gärna komma, och jag, Paulus, försökte gång på gång, men Satan hindrade oss.

19 Vi lever ju för er, det är ni som är vårt hopp och vår glädje, vår belöning och vår segerkrans. Ni ska vara vårt stora glädjeämne då vi tillsammans står inför vår Herre Jesus Kristus den dag han kommer tillbaka.

20 Ja, ni är verkligen vår segerlön, vår ära.

Timotheos glädjande rapport

När jag till slut inte kunde stå ut längre, beslutade jag mig för att själv stanna kvar i Athen

2-3 och skicka vår bror och medarbetare, Guds tjänare, Timo-theos för att besöka er. Han skulle styrka er tro, uppmuntra er och se till att ni inte tappar modet i alla de svårigheter som ni går igenom. Men ni vet förstås att sådana problem ingår i Guds plan med oss kristna.

Medan vi fortfarande var kvar hos er, lät vi er förstå att ni snart skulle möta lidanden och det gjorde ni.

När jag inte längre kunde stå ut med ovissheten, skickade jag som sagt Timotheos för att ta reda på om er tro stått emot alla angrepp. Jag var rädd att Satan kanske hade fått er på fall och att allt vårt arbete hade varit förgäves.

Och nu har Timotheos just återvänt och har med sig de välkomna nyheterna om att er tro och kärlek fortfarande är lika stark, och att ni minns vårt besök med glädje, och längtar lika mycket efter oss som vi efter er.

Kära bröder, nu känner vi oss tröstade i alla våra stora svårigheter och lidanden här. För nu vet vi att ni är trogna Herren.

Vi kan uthärda vad som helst, så länge vi vet att ni är fasta i er tro på Kristus.

Hur ska vi kunna tacka Gud tillräckligt för er och för den glädje och fröjd ni har gett oss när vi är i bön för er?

10 Dag och natt ber vi nämligen till Gud att vi ska få träffa er igen, för att få hjälpa er med de brister som ännu kan finnas i er tro.

11 Vi ber att vår Gud och Far och vår Herre Jesus Kristus ska sända oss tillbaka till er igen.

12 Och vi ber att Herren ska låta er kärlek till varandra och till alla människor växa och flöda över, precis som vår kärlek till er gör.

13 Då kommer Gud, vår Far, att styrka er och göra er heliga och fria från synd, så att ni är utan skuld den dag då vår Herre Jesus Kristus återvänder med alla dem som tillhör honom.

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's Ministry to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our (A)coming to you (B)was not in vain. 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. For (G)our appeal does not spring from (H)error or (I)impurity or (J)any attempt to deceive, 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. (N)For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—(O)God is witness. (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. But we were (T)gentle[c] among you, (U)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 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.

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.

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing (AY)to be left behind at Athens alone, and we (AZ)sent Timothy, (BA)our brother and God's coworker[h] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (BB)we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, (BC)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, (BD)when I could bear it no longer, (BE)I sent to learn about your faith, (BF)for fear that somehow (BG)the tempter had tempted you and (BH)our labor would be in vain.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

But (BI)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of (BJ)your faith and love and reported (BK)that you always remember us kindly and (BL)long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers,[i] in all our distress and affliction (BM)we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you (BN)are standing fast in the Lord. For (BO)what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly (BP)night and day (BQ)that we may see you face to face and (BR)supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may (BS)our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, (BT)direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord (BU)make you increase and abound in love (BV)for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may (BW)establish your hearts blameless in holiness before (BX)our God and Father, at (BY)the coming of our Lord Jesus (BZ)with all his saints.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
  6. 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
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever
  8. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some manuscripts servant
  9. 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Or brothers and sisters