Paul Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. ² 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. ³ For our appeal to you^[b] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. ⁴ 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.

⁵ As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! ⁶ We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— ⁷ 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. ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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!

3 Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens ² 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, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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

⁶ 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. ⁷ That’s why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. ⁸ For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ 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]