1 Thessalonians 2:3
CONTEXT- Thanksgiving. Narration. Appeal. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3:10 2 We constantly thank God for all of you, while we remember you in our prayers. 3 We persistently remember in the presence of God, our Father, your work energized by believing and your hard labor motivated by love and your patience sustained by hope for our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 We realize the circumstances surrounding your election, brothers, loved by God, 5 That our teaching of the gospel came to you, not only in word, but also in the power of holy spirit and with complete conviction. And you yourselves realize what manner of conduct we had among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the lord, having initially received the Word during times of much mental pressure with the joy of holy spirit, 7 So that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 From you the Word of the Lord echoed loudly, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your believing toward God has been spread abroad, to such an extent that we need not say any more. 9 Those who have heard about us from you constantly report how we opened up your area and how you turned to God from idols in order to serve the living and true God 10 And to await His Son [to return] from heaven, whom He raised from among the dead — Jesus, our rescuer from the coming wrath. Ch 2 1 Brothers, you yourselves know how we opened up your area, that it was not in vain. 2 On the contrary after we previously suffered and were injuriously insulted at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you in the midst of such a great struggle. 3 Our exhortation [to you] was based neither on error nor [spiritual] impurity nor deceitful enticement, 4 But as we were approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but God Who proves our hearts. 5 At no time did we use a flattering word, as you know, nor did we use a cover-up for greedy desire (God is witness)
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and joy. Ch 3 1 Wherefore, when we could not stand it anymore, we felt it was right for me to abide in Athens alone 2 And to send Timothy, our brother, a minister and fellow laborer of God in the gospel pertaining to Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your believing, 3 So no one would be swayed by these pressures of life. You know we are bound to have these. 4 When we were with you, we told you that the enduring of pressures was imminent; and so it came to pass as you know. 5 Because of this, when I too could no longer stand it, I sent to know your believing, lest the tempter had tempted you and our hard work should have been in vain. 6 But now Timothy has just returned to us from you and reported the good news of your believing and love for us, that you remember us always in a good way, desiring to see us even as we also desire to see you. 7 For this reason, brothers,