What does 1 Thessalonians 2:9 mean?
In this verse Paul calls upon his readers to remember how hard he had worked in order not to impose on them. He worked long hours, to the point of exhaustion, and endured hardship in order to preach and teach the gospel. Perhaps his work involved making tents, which seems to be a trade he adopted. Acts 18:1–3 relates that he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth because they were tentmakers, also.Paul's sacrificial labor to enrich the lives of the Thessalonians reflects the sacrificial ministry of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Jesus led a voluntary simple life. He owned no property and did not even have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). When He died on the cross, He gave His blood on our behalf. Second Corinthians 8:9 affirms: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich [in heaven], yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."