1 Thessalonians 2

King James Version

Full text for 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

1¶ For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7¶ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,

12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:

15Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17¶ But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20For ye are our glory and joy.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his blameless conduct among them, emphasizing that his ministry was sincere, not for personal gain, and characterized by gentle care. He recounts how they received the gospel as the very word of God, despite suffering persecution. Paul expresses his deep affection for them and his longing to return, viewing them as his hope and joy at Christ's coming.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by asserting that his initial visit to Thessalonica was not fruitless, despite his prior suffering and mistreatment at Philippi. He preached the gospel with boldness and integrity, not out of deceit, uncleanness, or guile, but as one entrusted by God, seeking to please God rather than men. He ministered gently, like a nurse, and diligently, laboring to avoid being a burden, demonstrating holy and just conduct. Paul thanks God that the Thessalonians received his message not as human words, but as the active word of God, even as they endured persecution from their own countrymen, akin to the suffering of Judean churches from the Jews. He concludes by expressing his fervent desire to revisit them, though hindered by Satan, affirming that they are his ultimate hope, joy, and crown in the presence of the Lord Jesus at His return.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul opens by reminding the Thessalonians that his initial ministry among them was impactful and not in vain, despite the severe suffering and shameful treatment he endured previously at Philippi. He affirms that he boldly proclaimed the gospel of God amidst much opposition, asserting that his exhortation was free from deceit, impurity, or guile. Paul states that his motivation was to please God, who tests hearts, having been entrusted with the gospel, rather than seeking human approval or using flattering words as a cloak for covetousness. He further clarifies that he sought no glory from men, and though he had the right to be burdensome as an apostle, he chose instead to be gentle among them, likening himself to a nurturing nurse with her children. His deep affection led him to desire to impart not only the gospel but his very soul, laboring day and night to avoid being a financial burden. Paul calls upon God and the Thessalonians as witnesses to his holy, just, and blameless conduct, explaining how he exhorted, comforted, and charged each of them as a father guides his children, encouraging them to walk worthy of God's calling to His kingdom and glory. He expresses unceasing gratitude to God because the Thessalonians received the message they heard from him not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the efficacious word of God, which actively works in believers. Paul notes their shared experience of suffering persecution from their own countrymen, paralleling the churches in Judea who suffered from the Jews, whom he describes as having killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, persecuting the apostles, and hindering the gospel to the Gentiles, thereby filling up their sins. Despite being separated in presence for a short time, Paul expresses an abundant desire to see them again, having attempted to return multiple times but being hindered by Satan. He concludes by declaring that the Thessalonians themselves are his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming, affirming them as his glory and joy.

Core Concepts

  • Apostolic IntegrityPaul emphasizes that his ministry was sincere, not driven by deceit, impurity, flattery, or covetousness, but by a desire to please God who tests hearts (vv. 3-6).
  • Gentle Nurturing and Parental CarePaul describes his ministry approach as gentle like a nurse cherishing her children, and as a father exhorting, comforting, and charging his own, demonstrating deep affection and personal investment (vv. 7-8, 11-12).
  • The Efficacious Word of GodThe Thessalonians are commended for receiving the message not as the word of men, but as the true word of God, which actively works in those who believe (v. 13).
  • Suffering and PersecutionThe chapter highlights the suffering endured by Paul and the Thessalonians from their respective countrymen, linking their experience to that of the churches in Judea and the persecution inflicted by the Jews (vv. 2, 14-16).
  • Paul's Affection and Desire to ReturnPaul expresses a profound longing to see the Thessalonians again, having been separated in presence but not in heart, though his attempts to revisit them were supernaturally hindered (vv. 17-18).
  • The Thessalonians as Paul's Hope and JoyPaul views the Thessalonian believers as his ultimate hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing, anticipating their presence with him before the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (vv. 19-20).