Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
1 Thessalonians 2
New International Version

### Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you(A) was not without results.(B) 2 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) 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,(F) nor are we trying to trick you.(G) 4 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) 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed(K)—God is our witness.(L) 6 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) 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,(P) 8 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) 9 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. 10 You are witnesses,(U) and so is God,(V) of how holy,(W) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,(X) 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy(Y) of God, who calls(Z) you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually(AA) because, when you received the word of God,(AB) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators(AC) of God’s churches in Judea,(AD) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people(AE) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus(AF) and the prophets(AG) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles(AH) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.(AI) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[b]

### Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),(AJ) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.(AK) 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan(AL) blocked our way.(AM) 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown(AN) in which we will glory(AO) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?(AP) Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory(AQ) and joy.

#### Footnotes

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully

#### Cross references

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 : 1Th 1:5, 9
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 : 2Th 1:10
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 : Ac 14:19; 16:22; Php 1:30
4. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 : S Ac 16:12
5. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 : Ac 17:1-9
6. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 : 2Co 2:17
7. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 : 2Co 4:2
8. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : Gal 2:7; 1Ti 1:11
9. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : S Ro 2:29
10. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : S Rev 2:23
11. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 : S Ac 20:33
12. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 : ver 10; S Ro 1:9
13. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : Jn 5:41, 44
14. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 1Co 9:1, 2
15. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 2Co 11:7-11
16. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 : S ver 11
17. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 : S Ro 1:1
18. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 : 2Co 12:15; 1Jn 3:16
19. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 : S Ac 18:3
20. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 : S 2Co 11:9; 2Th 3:8
21. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 : 1Th 1:5
22. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 : ver 5; S Ro 1:9
23. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 : 2Co 1:12
24. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 : ver 7; 1Co 4:14; Gal 4:19; S 1Ti 1:2; Phm 10; S 1Jn 2:1
25. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 : S Eph 4:1
26. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 : S Ro 8:28
27. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : 1Th 1:2; S Ro 1:8
28. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : S Heb 4:12
29. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 : 1Th 1:6
30. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 : Gal 1:22
31. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 : Ac 17:5; 2Th 1:4
32. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 : Lk 24:20; Ac 2:23
33. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 : S Mt 5:12
34. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : Ac 13:45, 50; 17:5; S 20:3; 21:27; 24:9
35. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : Mt 23:32
36. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 : 1Co 5:3; Col 2:5
37. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 : 1Th 3:10
38. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 : S Mt 4:10
39. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 : Ro 1:13; 15:22
40. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : Isa 62:3; Php 4:1
41. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : 2Co 1:14
42. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : S Mt 16:27; S Lk 17:30; S 1Co 1:7; 4:5; 1Th 3:13; 2Th 1:8-10; 1Pe 1:7; 1Jn 2:28; S Rev 1:7
43. 1 Thessalonians 2:20 : 2Co 1:14

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Artisan Collection Bible, Gilded Edges, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles