Paul’s Conduct

1For you yourselves know, •brothers, that our visita with you was not without result. 2On the contrary, after we had previously suffered,b and we were treated outrageously in Philippi,c as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurityd or an intent to deceive.e 4Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrustedf with the gospel,g so we speak, not to please men, but rather God,h who examines our hearts.i 5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedyj motivesk — God is our witnessl — 6and we didn’t seek glorym from people, either from you or from others. 7Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,n instead we were gentleo among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. 8We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Workingp night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10You are witnesses,q and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,r and blamelesslys we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11As you know, like a father with his own children,t 12we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to •walk worthy of God,u who calls you into His own kingdomv and glory.w

Reception and Opposition to the Message

13This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,x the message of God,y which also works effectively in you believers. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,z since you have also sufferedaa the same things from people of your own country,ab just as they did from the Jews 15who killed both the Lord Jesusac and the prophets and persecuted us;ad they displease God and are hostile to everyone, 16hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are always completing the number of their sins,ae and wrath has overtaken them at last.af

Paul’s Desire to See Them

17But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heartag), we greatly desired and made every effort to returnah and see you face to face. 18So we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satanai hindered us. 19For who is our hope or joyaj or crownak of boastingal in the presence of our Lordam Jesus at His coming?an Is it not you?ao 20For you are our gloryap and joy!