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
Amplified Bible
Paul’s Ministry
2 For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, in vain), 2 but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition. 3 For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change]. 4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]. 5 For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority. 7 But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children. 8 Having such a deep affection for you, we [a]were delighted to share with you not only God’s good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to us.
9 For you remember, [b]believers, our labor and hardship. We worked night and day [practicing our trade] in order not to be a [financial] burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ]. 11 For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does [in dealing with] his own children, [guiding you] 12 to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saves you and] calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith]. 14 For you, [c]brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same [kind of] persecution from your own countrymen, as they did from the Jews, 15 who [d]killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out; and [they] continue to be highly displeasing to God and [to show themselves] hostile to all people, 16 forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].(A)
17 But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face. 18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us. 19 For who is [the object of] our hope or joy or our victor’s wreath of triumphant celebration [when we stand] in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or resolved to.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 Lit brethren.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Lit brethren.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Jesus Christ willingly gave up His life for our salvation by allowing Himself to be tortured and killed.
1 Thessalonians 2
Authorized (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 Judæa 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
1599 Geneva Bible
2 1 He declareth how faithfully he preacheth the Gospel unto them, 5 seeking neither gain, 6 nor praise of men: 10 and he proveth the same by their own testimony: 14 that they did courageously bear persecution of their countrymen: 17 that he desireth very much to see them.
1 For [a]ye yourselves know, brethren, that our entrance in unto you was not in vain,
2 [b]But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated at (A)Philippi, (as ye know) we were bold in [c]our God, to speak unto you the Gospel of God, with much striving.
3 [d]For our exhortation was not by deceit, nor [e]by uncleanness, nor by guile.
4 [f]But as we were [g]allowed of God, that the Gospel should be committed unto us, so we speak, not as they that please men, but God, which [h]approveth our hearts:
5 Neither yet did we ever use flattering words, as ye know, nor colored covetousness, God is record.
6 [i]Neither sought we praise of men, neither of you, nor of others, when we might have been [j]chargeable, as the Apostles of Christ.
7 But we were [k]gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.
8 [l]Thus being affectioned toward you, our good will was to have dealt unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 [m]For ye remember, brethren, (B)our labor and travail: for we labored day and night, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, and preached unto you the Gospel of God.
10 [n]Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.
11 [o]As ye know how that we exhorted you, and comforted, and besought every one of you, (as a father his children.)
12 [p]That ye (C)would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13 [q]For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, that 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 indeed the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
14 [r]For brethren, ye are become followers of the Churches of God, which in Judea are in [s]Christ Jesus, because ye have also suffered the same things of your own [t]country men, even as they have of the Jews,
15 [u]Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets, and have persecuted us away, [v]and God they please not, and are contrary to [w]all men,
16 And forbid us to preach unto the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to [x]fulfill their sins always: for the [y]wrath of God is come on them to the utmost.
17 [z]Forasmuch, brethren, as we [aa]were kept from you for a season, concerning sight, but not in the heart, we enforced the more to see your face with great desire.
18 Therefore we would have come unto you (I Paul, at least once or twice) but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even you it in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 Yea, ye are our glory and joy.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 That which he touched before shortly concerning his Apostleship, he handleth now more at large, and to that end and purpose which we spake of.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 The virtues of a true Pastor are freely, and without fear to preach the Gospel, even in the midst of dangers.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Through God his gracious help.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 To teach pure doctrine faithfully and with a pure heart.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 By any wicked and naughty kind of dealing.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 To approve his conscience to God, being free from all flattery and covetousness.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Seeing there is this difference between the judgments of God and the judgments of men, that when men choose, they respect the qualities of those things which stand before them, but God findeth the reason of his counsel only in himself, it followeth, that seeing we are not able to think a good thought, that whomsoever he first chooseth to those holy callings, he maketh them able, and doth not find them able. And therefore in that we are allowed of God, it hangeth upon his mercy.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Which liketh and alloweth them.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 To submit himself even to the basest, to win them, and to eschew all pride.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 When I might lawfully have lived upon the expenses of the Church.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 We were not rough, but easy, and gentle, as a nurse that is neither ambitious nor covetous, but taketh all pains as patiently, as if she were a mother.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 To have the flock that is committed unto him in more estimation than his own life.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 To depart with his own rights rather than to be chargeable to his sheep.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 To excel others in example of godly life.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 To exhort and comfort with a fatherly mind and affection.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 To exhort all men diligently and earnestly to lead a godly life.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Having approved his ministry, he commendeth again (to that end and purpose that I spake of) the cheerfulness of the Thessalonians, which was answerable to his diligence in preaching, and their manly patience.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 He confirmeth them in their afflictions which they suffered of their own people, because they were afflicted of their own countrymen: which came as well (saith he) to the Churches of the Jews, as to them: and therefore they ought to take it in good part.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Which Christ hath gathered together.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Even of them which are of the same country, and the same town that you are of.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 He preventeth an offense which might be taken, for that the Jews especially above all others persecuted the Gospel. That is no new thing, sayeth he, seeing they slew Christ himself and his Prophets, and have banished me also.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 He foretelleth the utter destruction of the Jews, lest any man should be moved by their rebellion.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 For the Jews would neither enter into the kingdom of God themselves, nor suffer others to enter in.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Until the wickedness of theirs which they have by inheritance as it were of their fathers, be grown so great that the measure of their iniquity being filled, God may come forth to wrath.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 The judgments of God being angry, which indeed appeared shortly after in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, whither many resorted even out of divers provinces, when it was besieged.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 He meeteth with an objection, why he came not to them straightway being in so great misery, I desired oftentimes (saith he) and it lay not in me, but Satan hindered my endeavors, and therefore I sent Timothy my faithful companion unto you, because you are most dear to me.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Were kept asunder from you, and as it were orphans.
1 Thessalonians 2
Young's Literal Translation
2 For yourselves have known, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it did not become vain,
2 but having both suffered before, and having been injuriously treated (as ye have known) in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the good news of God in much conflict,
3 for our exhortation [is] not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile,
4 but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who is proving our hearts,
5 for at no time did we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for covetousness, (God [is] witness!)
6 nor seeking of men glory, neither from you nor from others, being able to be burdensome, as Christ's apostles.
7 But we became gentle in your midst, as a nurse may cherish her own children,
8 so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us,
9 for ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail, for, night and day working not to be a burden upon any of you, we did preach to you the good news of God;
10 ye [are] witnesses -- God also -- how kindly and righteously, and blamelessly to you who believe we became,
11 even as ye have known, how each one of you, as a father his own children, we are exhorting you, and comforting, and testifying,
12 for your walking worthily of God, who is calling you to His own reign and glory.
13 Because of this also, we -- we do give thanks to God continually, that, having received the word of hearing from us of God, ye accepted, not the word of man, but as it is truly, the word of God, who also doth work in you who believe;
14 for ye became imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because such things ye suffered, even ye, from your own countrymen, as also they from the Jews,
15 who did both put to death the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and did persecute us, and God they are not pleasing, and to all men [are] contrary,
16 forbidding us to speak to the nations that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always, but the anger did come upon them -- to the end!
17 And we, brethren, having been taken from you for the space of an hour -- in presence, not in heart -- did hasten the more abundantly to see your face in much desire,
18 wherefore we wished to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did hinder us;
19 for what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus Christ in his presence?
20 for ye are our glory and joy.
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