Paul's Approach To Ministry In Thessalonica
2 But [even though] we had already suffered and been mistreated at Philippi [See Acts 16:19-24], as you people know, we had the boldness, [with help] from God, to tell you His message in spite of much struggle [i.e., opposition].
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.
2 but after we had already suffered and been (C)mistreated in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God amid much (b)(G)opposition.
2 On 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.
2 As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
4 Instead, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. So, we speak, not trying to please people but God, who examines [the motives of] our hearts.
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.
4 (L)but just as we have been approved by God to be (M)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (N)not as pleasing men, but God who (d)(O)examines our hearts.
4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted(F) with the gospel,(G) so we speak, not to please men, but rather God,(H) who examines our hearts.(I)
4 Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.
5 For we were never found using flattering words at any time, as you know, nor did we try to cover up any greedy desires. God can testify [to this].
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
5 For we never came (e)with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext for greed—(Q)God is witness—
5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy(J) motives(K)—God is our witness(L)—
5 As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness!
6 [And] we were not looking for honor from people, either from you or from anyone else, even though, as apostles of Christ, we could have become a burden [to you]. [Note: The idea seems to be that the apostles could have claimed financial support, but chose not to].
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.
6 nor did we (R)seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as (S)apostles of Christ (f)we might have (g)asserted our authority.
6 We did not seek praise from people from you or from anyone else
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
7 But we (h)proved to be (i)(T)gentle (j)among you, (U)as a nursing mother (k)tenderly cares for her own children.
7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,(N) instead we were gentle(a) among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.
7 even though as apostles of the Messiah we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children.
8 And so, since we have such deep affection for you, we were very pleased to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
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.
8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to (V)impart to you not only the (W)gospel of God but also our own (l)lives, because you had become (m)very dear to us.
8 We 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.
8 We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us.
9 For you brothers remember how we labored and toiled, working hard night and day, so that we would not burden any of you [while] we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.
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.
9 For you recall, brethren, our (X)labor and hardship, how (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God.
9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working(O) night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.
9 Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.
10 You can testify, [just] as God can, how holy, righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, (AC)how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we (n)behaved toward you (o)believers;
10 You are witnesses,(P) and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,(Q) and blamelessly(R) we conducted ourselves with you believers.
10 You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe.
11 For you know that we treated each one of you like a father treats his own children, exhorting you, and comforting you,
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and (p)(AE)imploring each one of you as (AF)a father would his own children,
11 You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children.
12 and urging you to live up to the standards of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and splendor.
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
12 so that you would (AG)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (AH)calls you into His own kingdom and (AI)glory.
12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God,(T) who calls you into His own kingdom(U) and glory.(V)
12 We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
The Thessalonians' Response To Paul's Message
13 And because of this we also thank God continually that, when you people received the message of God, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as a message from [mere] human beings, but as it truly is, the message from God, which is at work in you believers.
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.
13 For this reason we also constantly (AJ)thank God that when you received the (AK)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it (AL)not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, (AM)which also performs its work in you who believe.
13 This 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,(W) the message of God,(X) which also works effectively in you believers.
13 Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
14 For you brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ, for you people also suffered the same things from your own countrymen that they did from the Jews,
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:
14 For you, brethren, became (AN)imitators of (AO)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are (AP)in Judea, for (AQ)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, (AR)even as they did from the Jews,
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,(Y) since you have also suffered(Z) the same things from people of your own country,(AA) just as they did from the Jews
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews
15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the [Old Testament] prophets and also drove us [apostles] out [of Thessalonica and Berea. See Acts 17]. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people,
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:
15 (AS)who both killed the Lord Jesus and (AT)the prophets, and (q)drove us out. (r)They are not pleasing to God, (s)but hostile to all men,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus(AB) and the prophets and persecuted us;(AC) they displease God and are hostile to everyone,
15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people,
16 for they [even] try to prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles, so that they can be saved. [In doing this] they are always piling up one sin on another. But the wrath [of God] has come upon them at last [or, "completely"].
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.
16 (AU)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (AV)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always (AW)fill up the measure of their sins. But (AX)wrath has come upon them (t)to the utmost.
16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are always completing the number of their sins,(AD) and wrath has overtaken them at last.(b)
16 as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed. However, wrath has overtaken them at last!
Paul's Desire To Revisit The Thessalonians
17 But brothers, after we were separated from you for a short time --- in person but not in spirit --- we became all the more eager [to come to you] and strongly desired to see you in person. [Note: The word "separated" here denotes the traumatic experience of a child being forcibly removed from its parents. It had been about six months since Paul left Thessalonica under adverse circumstances].
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.
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a (u)short while—(AY)in (v)person, not in (w)spirit—were all the more eager with great desire (AZ)to see your face.
17 But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart(AE)), we greatly desired and made every effort to return(AF) and see you face to face.
17 Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while in person but not in heart we eagerly desire to see you again face to face.
18 For we [really] wanted to come to you [and] I, Paul, [even tried to come] more than once, but Satan prevented us. [Note: This was probably accomplished through the influence of certain people or circumstances].
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
18 (x)For (BA)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, (y)(BB)more than once—and yet (BC)Satan (BD)hindered us.
18 That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.
19 For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By "crown" Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?
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?
19 For who is our hope or (BE)joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His (z)(BF)coming?
19 For who is our hope or joy(AH) or crown(AI) of boasting(AJ) in the presence of our Lord(AK) Jesus at His coming?(AL) Is it not you?(AM)
19 After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn't it?