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tested and affirmed by God

1 Thessalonians 2:3-5 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 Instead, just as we have been evaluated by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please humans, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives – God is our witness –

tested and affirmed by God

I happened to be translating 1 Timothy 3 just before reading this text to comment on it for my devotions. I noticed several identical or similar words and concepts. Paul is commending himself and his ministry with the same kinds of qualifications that he expects of church leaders in his mission churches.

But Paul does not say that he qualifies because he has pleased a group of human evaluators. His evaluation was done by God himself, and God is the one who bears witness to his qualifications.

Lord, may we be tested and affirmed by you.