Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Paul reminds them of the godly life he led among them when he preached the gospel to them, thanks God that they receive his word so fruitfully, and excuses his absence.

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, of our coming to you, how it was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated at Philippi (as you well know), then we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much striving. ³ Our exhortation was not to bring you to error, nor yet to uncleanness. Neither was it with guile, ⁴ but as we were approved by God to have the gospel committed to us, even so we speak – not as though we intended to please men, but God, who tries our hearts.

⁵ Neither was our conversation at any time with flattering words, as you well know, nor in cloaked covetousness; God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek praise from men: not from you, nor yet from any others, when we might have imposed ourselves upon you as the apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were tender among you. Even as a nurse-mother cares for her children, ⁸ so was our affection toward you. Our good pleasure was to have given you not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.

³⁴ When the Pharisees heard how he had put the Sadducees to silence, they drew together. ³⁵ One of them, who was a doctor of the law, asked him a question, testing him and saying, ³⁶ Teacher, which is the chief commandment in the law? ³⁷ Jesus said to him, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; ³⁸ this is the first and the chief commandment. ³⁹ And there is another like this: Love your neighbour as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² saying, What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. ⁴³ He said to them, How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, ⁴⁴ The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool? ⁴⁵ If David calls him Lord, how is he then his son?

⁴⁶ And no one could answer him a word. Neither did anyone from that day forth dare ask him any more questions.