Study Desk

Paul, Silas^[a](a) and Timothy,^(b) To the church of the Thessalonians^(c) in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.^(d)

We always thank God for all of you^(e) and continually mention you in our prayers.^(f)

We remember before our God and Father^(g) your work produced by faith,^(h) your labor prompted by love,⁽ⁱ⁾ and your endurance inspired by hope^(j) in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God,^(k) that he has chosen you,

because our gospel^(l) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(m) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know⁽ⁿ⁾ how we lived among you for your sake.

You became imitators of us^(o) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(p) with the joy^(q) given by the Holy Spirit.^(r)

And so you became a model^(s) to all the believers in Macedonia^(t) and Achaia.^(u)

The Lord's message^(v) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(w) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(x) to God from idols^(y) to serve the living and true God,^(z)

and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(aa) whom he raised from the dead^(ab)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(ac)

Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^(a) was not without results.^(b)

We had previously suffered^(c) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(d) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^(e)

For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(f) nor are we trying to trick you.^(g)

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(h) We are not trying to please people⁽ⁱ⁾ but God, who tests our hearts.^(j)

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(k)—God is our witness.^(l)

We were not looking for praise from people,^(m) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles⁽ⁿ⁾ of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(o)

Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^(p)

so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(q) but our lives as well.^(r)

Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(s) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(t) while we preached the gospel of God to you.

You are witnesses,^(u) and so is God,^(v) of how holy,^(w) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^(x)

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(y) of God, who calls^(z) you into his kingdom and glory.