Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me

 Good morning. Even after Paul was mistreated in Philippi: we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. In fact it always seemed like the more opposition Paul had, the bolder he was. Most of us would have stopped with even a little opposition. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit. Originally the word translated deceit meant a lure for catching fish. It looked like the real thing, but in the end it meant destruction for the fish. So too Paul's words were not a lure to deceive his listeners. Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts. God showed His approval by signs following. When Paul spoke, he did not try to "tickle their ears", but told them what God wanted them to hear, even if they did not like it. Men may preach the gospel from wrong motives, but God knows what is in their hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness – nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ, we might have asserted our authority. I believe I told you this before: I was at a church where these people came in claiming to be apostles, and they flattered our pastor by saying he was an apostle. They wanted us to amend our bylaws to more or less put them over us. Some evangelists go around to different churches preaching just so they can make a living. "Give more to God, and He will give more to you". Father thank You that You bless the reader richly. You give him/her the guidance he/she needs.