Pastoral trustworthiness #1 Pressures resisted

Paul has to respond to various charges laid against him in Thessalonica, and he does so by appealing to the manifest testimony of his character and conduct. He draws attention to the pressures which he and his friends resisted, and to the purity which they pursued. With threats to his credibility emanating from the enemies of the Thessalonians' souls, Paul distinguishes between a man-centred, self-serving ministry and God-centred, Spirit-sensitive service. Without hedging or equivocating, he makes clear to which camp he belongs, and the confidence that the Thessalonians might have in both the messenger and his message.