2
Paul’s Conduct
1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at ⚓Philippi, as you know, we were ⚓bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
3⚓For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4But as ⚓we have been approved by God ⚓to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, ⚓not as pleasing men, but God ⚓who tests our hearts.
5For ⚓neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—⚓God is witness.
6⚓Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ⚓we might have ⚓made demands ⚓as apostles of Christ.
7But ⚓we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ⚓to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ⚓our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9For you remember, brethren, our ⚓labor and toil; for laboring night and day, ⚓that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10⚓You are witnesses, and God also,⚓how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12⚓that you would walk worthy of God ⚓who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Their Conversion
13For this reason we also thank God ⚓without ceasing, because when you ⚓received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it⚓not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively ⚓works in you who believe.
14For you, brethren, 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, just as they did from the Judeans,
15⚓who killed both the Lord Jesus and ⚓their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God ⚓and are contrary to all men,
16⚓forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always ⚓to fill up the measure of their sins; ⚓but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
Longing to See Them
17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time ⚓in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
18Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but ⚓Satan hindered us.
19For ⚓what is our hope, or joy, or ⚓crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the ⚓presence of our Lord Jesus Christ ⚓at His coming?
20For you are our glory and joy.