1 Thessalonians 2
1 For ye yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you hath not been in vain;
Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know what our visit meant to you, and that it wasn't wasted!
2 but after we had suffered before and had been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
You'll recall that after having had much trouble and bad treatment at Philippi, with the help of God we still dared to share God's good news with you, despite the opposition we faced.
3 For our teaching is not from error, nor from impurity, nor in guile;
For what we speak about isn't deceptive, or worthless, or fraudulent.
4 but as we have been regarded by God as worthy to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
On the contrary, we have God's approval for what we say—he's entrusted us with sharing the good news. We don't set out to please people, but God. He's the one who judges our motives.
5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;
As you know, we've never used flattering words. Nor were we covering up some greedy, selfish attitude—as God is our witness!
6 nor from men sought we glory, either from you, or from others; though we might have used authority as apostles of Christ.
We weren't trying to win anybody's praise—not from you, nor anyone else. We could have become a “burden” to you as messengers of Christ,
7 But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherisheth her own children;
but instead we acted kindly among you, like a mother caring for her own children.
8 so having a strong affection for you, we were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye became dear to us.
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not just God's good news, but also our very own selves, because you had become so dear to us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil, how laboring night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
Don't you remember, brothers and sisters, all our hard work— working day and night so we wouldn't be a burden to any of you as we shared God's good news with you?
10 Ye are witnesses, and so is God, how holily, and righteously, and unblamably we conducted ourselves toward you that believe;
You yourselves can testify as to how we acted, and God can too—how we treated you believers with a holy attitude, fairly and blamelessly.
11 as ye know how we exhorted, and encouraged, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
You know how we cared for every one of you like a father caring for his own children. We encouraged you, comforted you, and shared with you our experience
12 that ye should walk in a manner worthy of God, who is calling you to his own kingdom and glory.
so that you could live as God would want you to live—the God who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.
13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also is powerfully working in you that believe.
Another thing: we're always thanking God that when you heard and accepted the word of God, you didn't treat it as some human words, but what it truly is, the word of God. This is what is at work in those of you who trust in him.
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 from your own countrymen, as they have from the Jews;
The experience you brothers and sisters have had imitates that of God's churches that belong to Christ Jesus in Judaea. Just like your fellow Jewish Christians you suffered as they did at the hands of the Jewish leaders
15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and drove us out, and please not God, and set themselves against all men,
who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and chased us out. They don't please God and they are hostile to everyone,
16 hindering us from speaking to the gentiles that they may be saved, —to fill up their sins always! But the wrath is come upon them to the end.
trying to prevent us from speaking to the other nations to prevent them from being saved. They're always sinning to the maximum extent, but for them full judgment has arrived!
17 But we, brethren, having been bereaved of you for a short time, separated in body, not in heart, used the greater endeavors with much earnestness to see your face.
Brothers and sisters, since we felt as if we'd experienced a family separation because we hadn't seen you for a while (separated physically though not in spirit), we tried even harder to come and see you again face to face because that's what we wanted to do.
18 Wherefore we purposed to come to you, that is, I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
We really wanted to come and visit you, and I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan stopped us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Is it not even ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming?
For what gives us hope, what makes us happy, what we are really proud of as we stand before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back—is having you there too!
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
You are our pride and joy!
