1 Thessalonians 2:1-

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Verses 1-2 Their coming was not in vain. It had fruitful effect. They’re coming off an experience of suffering and being treated unfairly in Philippi. When they came to Thessalonica nothing changed, suffering followed them there too. Even still their boldness was in God. Boldness in God is how they kept going. Boldness in God is how they did not quit. Boldness in God is where they found the confidence to declared the gospel to the Thessalonians. Though hard, it was not without effect.

Verses 3-6 Our motives for speaking the gospel to your were in the right place. When speaking the gospel to you our aim was to please God even though it brought forth affliction for us by some. We did not speak the gospel for self glory or greed. We are not in this for any of that. God is our witness to that.

Verses 7-8 Love and care for you is why we were bold to speak the gospel to you, so much so that we were prepared to share our lives with you, not just speak the gospel to you. That is how dear you became to us! Like a mother who nurses her newborn.

Verses 9-12 We did not just shared the words of the gospel with you, but we worked our tails off so that we would not be a burden but a blessing to you in every way. It was not about us! It was about you and your new life in Christ! We sought to live godly before you, consistent with the gospel we spoke to you. That is how hard we worked for you! Like a father works for his kids.