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Entrusted with the Gospel

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our (A)entrance to you (B)was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been (C)mistreated in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God amid much (G)struggle. For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or [a]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 as pleasing men, but God who [b](O)examines our hearts. For we never came with a flattering word, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext for greed—(Q)God is witness— nor (R)seeking glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as (S)apostles of Christ we [c]could have been a burden to you. But we [d]proved to be [e](T)gentle [f]among you, (U)as a nursing mother [g]tenderly cares for her own children. In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to (V)impart to you not only the (W)gospel of God but also our own [h]lives, because you had become beloved to us.

For you remember, brothers, our (X)labor and hardship, how (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, of (AC)how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we [i]behaved toward you [j]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and (AE)bearing witness to 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit are able to be
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss babes
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica

As you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, our visit with you wasn’t a waste of time. On the contrary, we had the courage through God to speak God’s good news in spite of a lot of opposition, although we had already suffered and were publicly insulted in Philippi, as you know. Our appeal isn’t based on false information, the wrong motives, or deception. Rather, we have been examined and approved by God to be trusted with the good news, and that’s exactly how we speak. We aren’t trying to please people, but we are trying to please God, who continues to examine our hearts. As you know, we never used flattery, and God is our witness that we didn’t have greedy motives. We didn’t ask for special treatment from people—not from you or from others— although we could have thrown our weight around as Christ’s apostles. Instead, we were gentle with you like a nursing mother caring for her own children. We were glad to share not only God’s good news with you but also our very lives because we cared for you so much. You remember, brothers and sisters, our efforts and hard work. We preached God’s good news to you, while we worked night and day so we wouldn’t be a burden on any of you. 10 You and God are witnesses of how holy, just, and blameless we were toward you believers. 11 Likewise, you know how we treated each of you like a father treats his own children. 12 We appealed to you, encouraged you, and pleaded with you to live lives worthy of the God who is calling you into his own kingdom and glory.

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