You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
Parallel translations
- WEB You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
- KJV Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
- BSB You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- NKJV You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
- NLT You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul calls the Thessalonians and God as witnesses to how holy and blameless his conduct was. His life among them was above reproach.
Overview
Paul appeals to two witnesses—the believers and God himself—to his godly behavior. The words "holy, righteously, and blamelessly" describe conduct toward God and people that was consistent with his message. Such integrity is essential, for a minister's life either commends or contradicts the gospel he proclaims.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 25
- 1 Pet 5:3neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
- 1 Th 1:5and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
- 2 Cor 1:12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
- Titus 2:7–8in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
- 2 Tim 3:10But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
- Acts 20:18When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
- 2 Th 3:7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
- Acts 24:16Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
- Acts 20:33–34I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing.
- 1 Th 2:5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),
- Job 31:1–39“I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?
- 1 Sam 12:3–5Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”
- Acts 20:26Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
- Num 16:15Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”
- Ps 7:3–5Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,
- Jer 18:20Shall evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
- 2 Cor 6:3–10We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
- 2 Cor 7:2Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
- Job 29:11–17For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me:
- 2 Cor 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.
- Ps 18:20–24Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
- 2 Cor 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.
- 2 Cor 5:11Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.
- 2 Cor 4:2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
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Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 2:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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