1 Thessalonians 2

English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

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.

¹³ And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

Paul talks about the appeal of the gospel. I have never heard a story more simple, yet the wisdom to apply it to everyday life requires a delicate intricacy. It has not cons, no impurities. Simply the gospel is enough. No lies, no flattery, no self-glory. 
I love how Paul gives the example of parents in how he presented the gospel to the Thessalonians. He came as a mother gently, lovingly, and making sure to not be burden to the children of the church. He also came as a father with truth in the word, encouraging, and exhorting. As I think about how my own parents have done this in my life, I can see how God is calling me to do the same for the people He has given me to minister. Often we make demands of the people we pour our lives into. We have expectations of others. Parents cannot have fierce expectation of their children because they are children. 
One thing that makes Paul glad about the faith of the Thessalonians is how they excepted the word of God. How often do I not bring a certain reverence of mind to studying God's word? Excepting God's word as truth that is powerful in my life is important. Why do I treat is with a blase attitude? It should be the first comfort I run to when I am hurt or lonely. It should be at the tip of my tongue when I celebrate. 

Father, help me become an imitator of Christ. Give me a love of Your word. Bring Your word to my mind constantly. Father, I want to be like a parent to those who you have called me to love. Give me a love without harsh expectations. Give me wisdom in relationships. Amen.