Study Desk

For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

For we never came with a flattering word, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become beloved to us.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short while—in face but not in heart—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.

For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?

For you are our glory and joy.

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction, just as it happened and as you know.

For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to know about your faith, lest somehow the tempter has tempted you, and our labor be in vain.

for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you,

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you,

For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;