Christian teaching

The Character of their ministry

A. Their ministry was not in vain: ¹For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

B. They declared the gospel of God boldly: ²But 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.

C. Three false charges: ³For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

D. They are approved and entrusted by God with the gospel: ⁴but 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.

C¹. Three false charges:⁵For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. ⁶Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

B¹. They shared the gospel of God gently: ⁷But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸So, 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.

A¹. Their ministry was not a burden: ⁹For 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.

Conclusion:

• Three things they were: ¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
• Three things they did: ¹¹Even as you know how, like a father with his children, ¹²we 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.

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– The overall pattern: A – “for,” B – “but”, C – “for,” D – “but,” C¹ – “for,” B¹ – “but,” A¹ – “for” (γαρ, αλλα)

– A and A¹ – “you yourselves know”/”you remember;” use of “brothers;” their ministry was “not” . . .

– B and B¹ –  “declare . . . the gospel of God”/“share . . .the gospel of God”; contrast of “boldness”/ “we were gentle”

– C and C¹ – not, or, or/neither, nor, nor; each have three false charges