Nor of men sought we glory neither of you

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1 Thessalonians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, and Thessalonica is an area visited by the Apostle Paul during his second evangelism tour. As the apostle Paul preached in Asia, Turkey, he went to the Macedonian region above the northern Greek border of the Balkans and preached. One of the characteristics of Paul's several evangelism trips is that he conducted evangelism by moving west rather than east, based on Antioch or Jerusalem in Suria. Of course, he came back and preached. The second evangelism trip went beyond Visidia Antioch, the westernmost part of the primary evangelism area, to Asia and Mussia, which is today's Turkey region, to the west. Then, by boat from Asia, he crosses the Aegean Sea and crosses the Balkan Peninsula to Macedonia. Evangelism to the Balkans is a significant distance from Jerusalem, about three times as far west as the first evangelism trip.

The apostle Paul's work on the Balkan Peninsula never began to go smoothly. While preaching the gospel in Philippi, the first saint of Macedonia, he was imprisoned with Silas. Then Thessalonica is where he went. Apostle Paul's evangelistic work in Thessalonica is recorded in the first half of Acts 17. At this time, he suffered the challenge of evangelism due to the threat, but he produced the fruit of the gospel.

Paul and Silas reached the city through Philippi, the gateway to Europe. When they came here, they entered the Jewish synagogue and shared the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. As a result of the passionate missionary work, several Jews and some God-fearing Greeks accepted the gospel. It was a small but meaningful fruit. But the Jews who were obsessed with their traditions saw Paul and Silas as very dangerous figures. They stigmatized the apostles' party, "People who disturb the world."

In addition, they insisted that "the apostles have kings other than Caesar," and sparked anxiety in the hearts of those who sought safety within the Empire because of the apostles. The spark of anxiety has hit the "people who travel with Paul" with the flames of suffering and rape. It was difficult to continue the gospel journey. It was a hard life to continue many battles powered by God. It shows why they were able to continue their hard steps without stopping.

『 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 』 Nothing makes life strong like this. Our lives show that when the focus is not on people, but on God, we can live powerful lives of truth. As soon as we are distracted by people's recognition and popularity, the truth steps back and moves away from us.
『Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. Paul's declaration shows that the hearts of many people of the day were different.

Jesus also rebuked the leaders of the day for the glory of man. In doing so, Jesus said that he is not, unlike these people, glorified by man. In John 5:41, 『I receive not honor from men. And in John 5:44, 『How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only? 』

Only “a person who pleases God and has that whole heart in recognition from God” can live a life of service that lays down his privileges for man. Thus, the apostle Paul was able to live a life of service without the authority to claim as an apostle. 『That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 』

Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to beloved with the mother's feelings. It is possible because the mother and father can offer as much as they recommend to their children, because it is a service that comes from Paul's life to please God and show his glory. 『For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 』

What Paul really wants for Thessalonians is to be worthy of the God whom they have called. The reason God chose, called, and redeemed us is to expand the kingdom of God on earth. Of course, it goes without saying that our focus must be on God in order to do God's work. Jesus came to this earth not to serve and reign, but to serve the weak of the world.