2:1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.
2:2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
2:3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
2:5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness.
2:6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,
2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
2:9 Surely you remember, brothers, 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.
2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
2:12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,
2:15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men
2:16 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.
2:17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.
2:18 For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan stopped us.
2:19 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?
2:20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, our entrance toward you, that it has not been in vain.
2:2 But having suffered previously and having been outrageously treated, even as you know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much struggle.
2:3 For our exhortation is not out of deception nor out of uncleanness nor in guile;
2:4 But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proves our hearts.
2:5 For neither were we found at any time with flattering speech, even as you know, nor with a pretext for covetousness; God is witness.
2:6 Nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others, though we could have stood on our authority as apostles of Christ.
2:7 But we were gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother would cherish her own children.
2:8 Yearning in this way over you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us.
2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: While working night and day so as not to be burdensome to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
2:10 You are witnesses, as well as God, how in a holy and righteous and blameless manner we conducted ourselves toward you who believe,
2:11 Just as you know how we were to each one of you, as a father to his own children, exhorting you and consoling you and testifying,
2:12 So that you might walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
2:13 And because of this we also thank God unceasingly that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but even as it truly is, the word of God, which also operates in you who believe.
2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they also from the Jews,
2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; and they are not pleasing to God and are contrary to all men,
2:16 In that they forbid us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so that they fill up their sins always. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
2:17 But we, brothers, having been bereaved of you for a little while, in presence, not in heart, were more abundantly eager with great desire to see your face.
2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I Paul, both once and again, yet Satan hindered us.
2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Are not even you?
2:20 For you are our glory and joy.