And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.