1 Paul’s Conduct For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Acts 14:5; 16:19–24; Phil. 1:30 Philippi, as you know, we were Acts 17:1–9 bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
3 2 Cor. 7:2 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as 1 Cor. 7:25 we have been approved by God Titus 1:3 to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, Gal. 1:10 not as pleasing men, but God Prov. 17:3 who tests our hearts.
5 For 2 Cor. 2:17 neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness— Rom. 1:9;1 Thess. 2:10 God is witness.
6 1 Tim. 5:17 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when 1 Cor. 9:4 we might have 2 Cor. 11:9 made demands 1 Cor. 9:1 as apostles of Christ.
7 But 1 Cor. 2:3 we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased Rom. 1:11 to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also 2 Cor. 12:15;1 John 3:16 our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9 For you remember, brethren, our Acts 18:3; 20:34, 35;1 Cor. 4:12;2 Thess. 3:7, 8 labor and toil; for laboring night and day, 2 Cor. 12:13 that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 2 Cor. 1:12;1 Thess. 1:5 You are witnesses, and God also, 2 Cor. 7:2 how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10 that you would walk worthy of God Rom. 8:28;1 Cor. 1:9;1 Thess. 5:24;2 Thess. 2:14; (2 Tim. 1:9) who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
13 Their Conversion For this reason we also thank God Rom. 1:8;1 Thess. 1:2, 3 without ceasing, because when you Mark 4:20 received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (Matt. 10:20; Gal. 4:14) not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (1 Pet. 1:23) works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators Gal. 1:22 of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For Acts 17:5;1 Thess. 3:4;2 Thess. 1:4 you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 Luke 24:20; Acts 2:23 who killed both the Lord Jesus and Jer. 2:30; Matt. 5:12; 23:34, 35; Acts 7:52 their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God Esth. 3:8 and are contrary to all men,
16 Luke 11:52 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always Gen. 15:16; Dan. 8:23; Matt. 23:32 to fill up the measure of their sins; Matt. 24:6 but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
17 Longing to See Them But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time 1 Cor. 5:3 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 Rom. 1:13; 15:22 Satan hindered us.
19 For 2 Cor. 1:14 what is our hope, or joy, or Prov. 16:31 crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the Jude 24 presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15:23 at His coming?