1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Paul's Approach To Ministry In Thessalonica

¹ For ye know yourselves, brethren, our entering in which we had to you, that it has not been in vain; ² but, having suffered before and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the glad tidings of God with much earnest striving. ³ For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; ⁴ but even as we have been approved of God to have the glad tidings entrusted to us, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who proves our hearts. ⁵ For we have not at any time been among you with flattering discourse, even as ye know, nor with a pretext for covetousness, God is witness; ⁶ nor seeking glory from men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have been a charge as Christ's apostles; ⁷ but have been gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse would cherish her own children. ⁸ Thus, yearning over you, we had found our delight in having imparted to you not only the glad tidings of God, but our own lives also, because ye had become beloved of us. ⁹ For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, not to be chargeable to any one of you, we have preached to you the glad tidings of God. ¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and righteously and blamelessly we have conducted ourselves with you that believe: ¹¹ as ye know how, as a father his own children, we used to exhort each one of you, and comfort and testify, ¹² that ye should walk worthy of God, who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.