For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Paul's entrance among the Thessalonians had a real purpose and was not in vain but effective and fruitful. Its fruit was lasting and spiritual, for converts turned from idols to serve the living God, became examples to believers, and spread the word of the Lord, because the gospel came with power and produced faith and changed lives. That fruitful ministry meant boldness in God to speak the gospel despite opposition and with much contention. That boldness continued even after suffering and shameful treatment at Philippi.
He spoke as one entrusted by God and put in trust with the gospel, seeking to please God who tests, tries, and examines hearts rather than pleasing people. His exhortation was free from deceit, guile, and flattering words. It was also free from greed and any cloak of covetousness, and did not seek glory or praise from people. His exhortation was free from uncleanness. His conduct among them was holy, just, and blameless.
Though entitled as an apostle of Christ, he refused to be burdensome. He cared for believers tenderly and gently, like a mother or a nurse cherishing her children. He also dealt with them faithfully like a father, warning, correcting, exhorting, and comforting each person. As a father he urged them to live worthy of God, who calls them into his kingdom and glory.
That kind of entrance gives the pattern for solid, thorough gospel work that binds off what is begun, done by one clothed with Christ's righteousness and imbued with His Spirit. The same faithful ministry is to become personal experience as God requires, by being Christlike at home and abroad, in health and sickness, amid the world and in the sanctuary, with fidelity recorded and testified in heaven. It gives a hope that does not bring shame and brings reward when Christ comes to give every person according to works, with every patiently endured trial rewarded.
Paul's entrance among the Thessalonians had a real purpose and was not in vain but effective and fruitful. Its fruit was lasting and spiritual, for converts turned from idols to serve the living God, became examples to believers, and spread the word of the Lord, because the gospel came with power and produced faith and changed lives. That fruitful ministry meant boldness in God to speak the gospel despite opposition and with much contention. That boldness continued even after suffering and shameful treatment at Philippi.
He spoke as one entrusted by God and put in trust with the gospel, seeking to please God who tests, tries, and examines hearts rather than pleasing people. His exhortation was free from deceit, guile, and flattering words. It was also free from greed and any cloak of covetousness, and did not seek glory or praise from people. His exhortation was free from uncleanness. His conduct among them was holy, just, and blameless.
Though entitled as an apostle of Christ, he refused to be burdensome. He cared for believers tenderly and gently, like a mother or a nurse cherishing her children. He also dealt with them faithfully like a father, warning, correcting, exhorting, and comforting each person. As a father he urged them to live worthy of God, who calls them into his kingdom and glory.
That kind of entrance gives the pattern for solid, thorough gospel work that binds off what is begun, done by one clothed with Christ's righteousness and imbued with His Spirit. The same faithful ministry is to become personal experience as God requires, by being Christlike at home and abroad, in health and sickness, amid the world and in the sanctuary, with fidelity recorded and testified in heaven. It gives a hope that does not bring shame and brings reward when Christ comes to give every person according to works, with every patiently endured trial rewarded.