1 Thessalonians 2
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know what our visit meant to you, and that it wasn't wasted!
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
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 exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
For what we speak about isn't deceptive, or worthless, or fraudulent.
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which 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 used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke 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 of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the 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 among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
but instead we acted kindly among you, like a mother caring for her own children.
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto 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 labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto 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 God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among 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 comforted 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 would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his 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 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also 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 followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of 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 their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to 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 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
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, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
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 would have come unto you, even 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 rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 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!
