Paul’s Ministry

1And you are satisfied, my brethren, that our address to you was not fallacious: 2on the contrary, notwithstanding the outrages, you know we suffer'd at Philippi, we had still the resolution, by the divine assistance, to preach the gospel of God to you without reserve against all opposition. 3for our doctrine was free from all imposture, avarice, and fraud. 4we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity. 5our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise. 6we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause, instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might; 7we behav'd to you with a tender regard, even as a mother, who nurses her own children. 8Our affection therefore to you being so great, we were as ready to give our lives for you, as we were to communicate the divine gospel to you, so much did you engage our love.

9for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you. 10you are witnesses, and God is so too, how holy, how just and irreproachable our behaviour was to you, who believe. 11you likewise know, that we exhorted and encouraged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.

13nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe. 14for, my brethren, you have followed the example of the christian churches in Judea; by having suffer'd the same persecutions from your own nation, as the churches have suffer'd from the Jews, 15the very men who have persecuted the Lord Jesus, and the prophets even to death; who have persecuted us; they who are regardless of pleasing the deity, and are enemies to all mankind; 16who by obstructing our endeavours to save the Gentiles, continue to fill up the measure of their enormities; for which consummate vengeance is falling upon them.

Paul’s Longing to Visit

17As for me, my brethren, having been so abruptly separated from you, in person, tho' not in affection, I have the more ardently endeavour'd to see you again. 18this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle. 19for what can be our hope, or joy, what can crown our pretensions, unless it be you, when we shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20for ye are our glory and our joy.