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

¹ For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: ² But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Phillippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention. ³ For our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile; ⁴ But as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. ⁵ For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: ⁶ Nor from men sought we glory, neither from you, nor yet from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: ⁸ So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us. ⁹ For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: ¹¹ As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, ¹² That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory.