Paul's Ministry

1For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain: 2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts. 5For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; 6nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: 8even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.

9For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10Ye are witnesses, and God also , how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: 11as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you , and testifying, 12to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.

13And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. 14For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men; 16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Paul's Longing to Visit

(Romans 1:8-15)

17But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: 18because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 20For ye are our glory and our joy.