¹⁷But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^m out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.ⁿ ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^o blocked our way.^p ¹⁹For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^q in which we will glory^r in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^s Is it not you? ²⁰Indeed, you are our glory^t and joy.

3So when we could stand it no longer,^u we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^v ²We sent Timothy,^w who is our brother and co-worker^x in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^y to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^z For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^a ⁴In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.^b ⁵For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^c I sent to find out about your faith.^d I was afraid that in some way the tempter^e had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^f

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Cross references

m 1 Co 5:3; Col 2:5
n 1 Th 3:10
oSee Mt 4:10
p Ro 1:13; 15:22
q Isa 62:3; Php 4:1
r 2 Co 1:14
sSee Mt 16:27; See Lk 17:30; See 1 Co 1:7; 4:5; 1 Th 3:13; 2 Th 1:8–10; 1 Pe 1:7; 1 Jn 2:28; See Rev 1:7
t 2 Co 1:14
uver 5
vSee Ac 17:15
wSee Ac 16:1
xSee 1 Co 3:9
ySee 2 Co 2:12
z Mk 4:17; Jn 16:33; Ro 5:3; 2 Co 1:4; 4:17; 2 Ti 3:12
aSee Ac 9:16; 14:22
b 1 Th 2:14
cver 1
dver 2
e Mt 4:3
f Gal 2:2; Php 2:16