Summary: 1-2 Paul is saying that them coming to them was not in vain, even after suffering and being mistreated in phillipi, they used this as fuel to be even more bold to come and share with them the truth. 3-4 they came with sincerity, not in error or deceit or to manipulate , they came in the name of the Lord, to faithfully deliver God’s message, with the motive to please God and not ppl. 5:6- signs of a false teacher/corrupt ministry: using flattery- 1. telling ppl what they wanna hear with the motive of gain, 2. greed: using the ministry as cloak, pretending to serve God but severely doing it for the wrong reasons/self-gain, status or money. 3. Seeking praise- doing it to lift self up, look important/of status, not humble, not concerned with God’s work but what benefits them or makes them look good (so all this basically- self worship) 7-9 signs of a sincere ministry/teacher - 1. gentle with flock, not just giving instructions but caring for them as mother does child- staying close and nurturing, protecting and making sacrifices for them- being a giver not a receiver. 2. Self sacrificing, for the benefit of the flock- cz Paul worked night and day to support himself and the ministry, that he wouldn’t be a burden to any of them like a parent with their children (cz if someone genuinely cared, they wouldn’t wouldn’t be tryna leech off you, a mother provides not asks for children to provide for them)- and this shows the sincerity of the service. (Verse 9) 3. Living by what they preach, your life shouldn’t contradict the msg you’re sharing (vs 10), 4. Strengthened them, instructs them, pushes them to excel - spiritual growth, as a father sets up their child for success. (If like a nursing mother nurturing, and a father that pushes/challenges- there’s balance of leadership in the ministry- cz He genuinely wants em saved (10-12) 10-12 God and themselves can be their witness of how faithful they were in the ministry, giving it their all to serve God by serving the flock - blameless before God and ppl, and as a father, pushing them to be at their best, and walk worthy of their calling- genuinely wants em saved 13 thyre thankful to God cz the ppl received the message as it was, in its true light, recognising it as God’s message, not Paul’s and receiving it. When the word of God is not seen as merely information, but received in its true light and believe, it truely transforms us- it effectly works in us, sanctifies us- our thinking, desires, different priorities and relationship with ppl and God. We’re transformed- when we read His word as a personal letter to us(spirit of prophecy says)- then there true transformation takes places. 14-16 they became imitators of the church in judea- they too were faithful to God even with opposition, but also this opposition shows that that’s what happens when you’re faithful to God, like the past prophets, and even Jesus Himself. Faithfulness/locking in with Jesus=persecution, cz people don’t like light, being shown that their way of living is sinful, thyre comfortable in their sins, if we aren’t receding persecution in any way, we aren’t doing enough. Signs of faithful follower of Christ=persecution/opposition. Those who oppose the work of God do not please, anybody who opposes the work of God or comes in the way of someone’s salvation: via tempting or whatever- God is so serious about this sin- He says it would be better for them if a milestone was hung around them and then to be cast into sea (Mathew 8:6) and when we sin against others by causing them to fall/coming in the way of their salvation we sin against God (1 cor 8:12). This fills up God’s wrath= judgment is coming. 17-18 he spent 3 weeks with them and left due to persecution, he says he wants to come back and see them, but Satan hindered their plans. - Satan attacks sincere ministries, he’s not threatened by sleeping churches/people 19-20 Their hope is for them to be saved, them in the presence of God at His return. Thyre the results for their work, they’re their payment, their crown. Their reward is for them to be transformed and be ready for His coming. - they aren’t even looking for a reward- their reward is seeing them saved- how selfless is this! 🥰