1 Thessalonians 2
King James Version
2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 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.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 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.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 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.
9 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.
1 Thessalonians 2
American Standard Version
2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain: 2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the [a]gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the [b]gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; 6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have [c]claimed authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were [d]gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: 8 even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the [e]gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the [f]gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: 11 as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, 12 to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who [g]calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us [h]the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men; 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for [i]a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: 18 because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his [j]coming? 20 For ye are our glory and our joy.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or, been burdensome. verse 9; compare 1 Cor. 9:4ff
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Most of the ancient authorities read babes. Compare 1 Cor. 14:20.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 Some ancient authorities read called.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Greek the word of hearing. Gal. 3:2, 5.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Greek a season of an hour.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Greek presence. Compare 2 Cor. 10:10.
1 Thessalonians 2
21st Century King James Version
2 For you yourselves, brethren, know that our coming among you was not in vain.
2 But even after we had suffered before and were shamefully treated at Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God amidst much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from uncleanness, nor from guile;
4 but as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is our witness),
6 nor sought we glory from men, neither from you nor yet from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.
8 So being affectionately desirous for 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.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail; for laboring night and day, because we would not be a burden unto any of you, we preached unto you the Gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you that believe.
11 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.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Judea which are in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered like things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews,
15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. They please not God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, thus heaping up their sins always. But the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost!
17 But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time (in presence, but not in heart), endeavored the more abundantly and with great desire to see your face.
18 Therefore we would have come unto you — even I, Paul, time 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.
1 Thessalonians 2
New English Translation
Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica
2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters,[a] about our coming to you—it has not proven to be purposeless.[b] 2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God[c] in spite of much opposition. 3 For the appeal we make[d] does not come[e] from error or impurity or with deceit, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never appeared[f] with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others, 7 [g] although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became[h] little children[i] among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children, 8 with such affection for you[j] we were happy[k] to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you recall, brothers and sisters,[l] our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe. 11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children, 12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory. 13 And so[m] we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us,[n] you accepted it not as a human message,[o] but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe. 14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters,[p] of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets[q] and persecuted us severely.[r] They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people, 16 because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins,[s] but wrath[t] has come upon them completely.[u]
Forced Absence from Thessalonica
17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters,[v] for a short time (in presence, not in affection)[w] we became all the more fervent in our great desire[x] to see you in person.[y] 18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again)[z] but Satan thwarted us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of[aa] before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you? 20 For you are our glory and joy!
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 tn Grk “has not become empty.” Paul is defending himself against the charge that he lacked earnestness and personal concern for them, but appeared in their city out of greed or egotism. In his defense he appeals to what they recall of his ministry and what has become of it since he left, all of which demonstrates his God-given earnestness and effectiveness.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 tn The genitive in the phrase τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ (to euangelion tou theou, “the gospel of God”) could be translated as either a subjective genitive (“the gospel which God brings”) or an objective genitive (“the gospel about God”). Either is grammatically possible. This is possibly an instance of a plenary genitive (see ExSyn 119-21; M. Zerwick, Biblical Greek, §§36-39). If so, an interplay between the two concepts is intended: The gospel which God brings is in fact the gospel about himself. This same phrase occurs in vv. 8 and 9 as well.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 tn Grk “For our exhortation.” Paul here uses παράκλησις (paraklēsis) to speak in broad terms about his preaching of the gospel, in which he urges or appeals to people to respond to God’s salvation (cf. the verb form παρακαλοῦντος [parakalountos] in 2 Cor 5:20).
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 tn Grk “[is] not” (the verb “to be” is implied in the Greek construction).
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 tn Or “came on the scene,” “came.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 tn Punctuating vv. 6 and 7 is difficult. One must consider the difficult textual problem of v. 7 (see tc note on the word “children” in that verse) as well as the grammar of the verse. In the translation above, “little children” is understood to be a predicate nominative connected to the verb “became.” This allows a full stop to be placed at the end of v. 6 and before the phrase “like a nursing mother” in v. 7. This separates the two metaphors which impact the textual problem and allows for greater clarity in the way the sentence is read.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 tn Or “were,” “proved to be.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 tc The variant ἤπιοι (ēpioi, “gentle”) has fair support (אc A C2 D2 Ψc 0278 33 1241 1739 1881 M), but νήπιοι (nēpioi, “little children”) has significantly stronger backing (P65 א* B C* D* F G I Ψ* it bo). It is not insignificant that the earliest Alexandrian and Western witnesses in support of ἤπιοι are actually not Alexandrian or Western; they are the second correctors of Alexandrian and Western mss. Such correctors generally follow a Byzantine Vorlage. The reading νήπιοι is thus superior externally. Further, νήπιοι is much harder in this context, for Paul mixes his metaphors (“we became little children in your midst…Like a nursing mother…”). Thus, the scribes would naturally alter this reading to the softer ἤπιοι (“we became gentle…”). Paul is not known for his consistency of figures, however (cf., e.g., Gal 4:19); hence, the intrinsic evidence points to νήπιοι as autographic. On the other hand, it is possible that νήπιοι was caused by dittography with the preceding -μεν (-men). It is even possible that νήπιοι was caused by an error of hearing right from the beginning: The amanuensis could have heard the apostle incorrectly. But such a supposition cuts both ways; further, Paul would no doubt have corrected the reading in the ms before it was sent out. If so, one would surely have expected both earlier witnesses on the side of ἤπιοι and perhaps a few first correctors to have this reading. The reading “little children” thus stands as most probably original. (For an extended discussion of this problem, see J. A. D. Weima, “‘But We Became Infants Among You’: The Case for NHPIOI in 1 Thess 2.7,” NTS 46 [2000]: 547-64; T. B. Sailors, “Wedding Textual and Rhetorical Criticism to Understand the Text of 1 Thessalonians 2.7,” JSNT 80 [2000]: 81-98.)
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 tn Grk “longing for you in this way.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 tn Or “we are happy.” This verb may be past or present tense, but the context favors the past.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 tn Grk “for this reason,” which seems to look back to Paul’s behavior just described. But it may look forward to v. 13b and mean: “and here is another reason that we constantly thank God: that…”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 tn Grk “God’s word of hearing from us.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 tn Paul’s focus is their attitude toward the message he preached: They received it not as a human message but a message from God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 tc ἰδίους (idious, “their own prophets”) is found in D1 Ψ 1241 1505 2464 M sy McionT. This is obviously a secondary reading. Marcion’s influence may stand behind part of the tradition, but the Byzantine text probably added the adjective in light of its mention in v. 14 and as a clarification or interpretation of which prophets were in view.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 tn Or “and drove us out” (cf. Acts 17:5-10).
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 tn Grk “to fill up their sins always.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 tc The Western text (D F G 629 latt) adds τοῦ θεοῦ (tou theou) to ὀργή (orgē) to read “the wrath of God,” in emulation of the normal Pauline idiom (cf., e.g., Rom 1:18; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6) and, most likely, to clarify which wrath is in view (since ὀργή is articular).tn Or “the wrath,” possibly referring back to the mention of wrath in 1:10.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 tn Or “at last.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 tn Grk “with great desire.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 tn Grk “to see your face.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 tn Or “several times”; Grk, “both once and twice.” The literal expression “once and twice” is frequently used as a Greek idiom referring to an indefinite low number, but more than once (“several times”); see L&N 60.70.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 sn Crown to boast of (Grk “crown of boasting”). Paul uses boasting or exultation to describe the Christian’s delight in being commended for faithful service by the Lord at his return (1 Cor 9:15-16; 2 Cor 1:12-14; 10:13-18; Phil 2:16; and 1 Cor 3:14; 4:5).
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