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Thessalonians 2
New
International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Paul’s
ministry in Thessalonica
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You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you
know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face
of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or
impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as
those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to
please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery,
nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed – God is our witness. 6 We were not
looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as
apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
7 Instead, we were like young children[a]
among you.Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for
you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only
the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and
sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a
burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are
witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among
you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father
deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live
lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it
actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea,
which are in Christ Jesus: you suffered from your own people the same things
those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the
prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone
16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be
saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of
God has come upon them at last.[b]
Paul’s
longing to see the Thessalonians
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But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you
for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we
made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you – certainly I,
Paul, did, again and again – but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our
hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord
Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes:
1
Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle
1
Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
The
Bible Panorama
1
Thessalonians 2
V
1–3: PROBLEMS Paul reminds them of
the problems he suffered at Philippi, which involved cruel and spiteful
treatment by others. That, however, has not stopped his boldness in the gospel.
V
4–5: PLEASING Paul reiterates that
his aim is not to please men but rather, by taking seriously the gospel
entrusted to him, to please God who tests the heart. At no time does he flatter
men or misuse his position as a preacher of the gospel.
V
6–9: PREACHING Paul’s preaching is
characterised by seeking glory for God, gentleness with his hearers, concern
for those who hear in the church, labour and toil, and being on duty
twenty-four hours a day for the gospel. He earns his own living so as not to be
financially burdensome to them.
V
10–12: PARENTAL His attitude is
parental to the children of God in Thessalonica. He longs to see his children
walking with God and can point to his devout, just, and blameless witness to
encourage them in this.
V 13–14a: POWERFUL
It is the gospel of God working in their hearts that causes the
Thessalonians to imitate the churches of God that follow Christ. There is power
in the truth of God.
V 14b–16: PERSECUTED
They, too, have suffered persecution by those who want to forbid them to
share the gospel with Gentiles, in case they should be saved. God’s wrath is
upon such people, who not only sin, but try to prevent the spread of the
gospel.
V 17–20: PASSIONATE
Paul has a passion to see them again, but has been hindered by Satan. They
are his ‘glory and joy’ through the gospel and he looks forward to the day when
he will be with them in the presence of Christ.
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