1 Thessalonians 2:2-6

but after we had already suffered and been treated abusively in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.

For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—

nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ.