(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
The Ministry
- For brothers, you yourselves *know that our coming to you hasn’t been in vain.
- But having previously suffered and having been mistreated in Philippi, (just as you have known) we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you amid much conflict.
- For our exhortation isn’t from error, nor from impurity, nor in deceit.
- But just as we have been tested and proved genuine by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak. Not as pleasing men, but God, the One testing our hearts and proving them genuine.
- For neither were we ever found with a word of flattery (as you have known) nor with a pretense for greed (God is our witness),
- nor seeking glory from men, nor from you, nor from others; though being empowered to be burdensome as the Anointed’s apostles.
- but we became gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
- And affectionately desiring you this way, we were pleased to impart not only the gospel of God to you, but also our own souls1“soul” The Greek word here is “ψυχή” (psuché). It does not mean the part of us which survives death and goes to reward or punishment (Biblically that’s our spirit. In Revelation 8:9, animals are said to have “psuché”.) Psuché literally means “breath” and is usually translated “life”. It refers to the life; the vital force which – together with the body – enables a person to live. It can also refer to mind, will, emotions, and desires, which together make up a person’s identity. because you became beloved to us.
- For brothers, you remember our laborious toil and hard labor. While working night and day in order not to put a burden on any of you, we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.
- You are witnesses (and God too) of how devoutly, and righteously, and blamelessly we behaved toward you, the men believing.
- Just as you *know how (as a father to his own children)
- we were admonishing you, and encouraging you, and solemnly charging each one of you to walk in a manner worthy of God; the One calling you into His own kingdom and glory.
- And because of this, we also incessantly give thanks to God that having received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not like the word of men, but like it’s truly the word of God, which also works in you; the men believing.
- For brothers, you became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Jesus the Anointed, because you also suffered the same things as them from your own countrymen, just as they also did from the Jews.
- the men who also killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and drove us out. And they’re not pleasing to God and are hostile to all men,
- hindering us and forbidding2“hindering us and forbidding” is one word in Greek, which can mean either or both depending on the context. us to speak to the gentiles (so they might be saved) to always complete the full measure of their sins. But wrath came upon them until the end.
Paul wanting to see them
- But brothers, having been bereaved of you for a short time (in presence, not in heart) we were abundantly eager with great desire to see your face.
- Therefore, we wanted to come to you. Indeed, I Paul tried both once and twice, and Satan hindered us.
- For who is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Or is it not you also? (Before our Lord Jesus at His coming.)
- For you are our glory and joy.
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