1 Thessalonians 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you know how, like a father with his children,

NIV: For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

NASB: just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,

CSB: As you know, like a father with his own children,

NLT: And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.

KJV: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

NKJV: as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

Paul compares his relationship with the Thessalonian Christians to that of a father and his children. Because Paul had won the Thessalonians to Christ, he had become their spiritual father and they had become his spiritual children. Paul and Timothy, one of Paul's missionary companions, also had that kind of relationship. Apparently Paul had led Timothy to Christ at Lystra. In 1 Timothy 1:2 he refers to Timothy as "my true child in the faith."

The apostle John had a similar relationship with believers. In his letters, he refers to believers as "my little children" (1 John 2:1), "little children" (1 John 2:12, :28; 3:7, 18; 5:21), "children": (1 John 2:13, 18), and "my children" (3 John 1:4). Just as a loving father tries to protect his children from harm, so the apostle John endeavored to protect his "children" from spiritual harm. He warned them often to recognize and avoid false teachers and their harmful teachings. See, for example, 1 John 2:18–19, 21–22; 3:7–10; 4:1–6; and 2 John 1:7–10.

First Thessalonians 2:9–12 is Paul's call for the Christians at Thessalonica to recall how he and his coworkers had conducted themselves. He describes how hard they had labored to support themselves, so they would not be a burden to the Thessalonians. He also calls on his readers to remember the godly lifestyle they led at Thessalonica while they shared the gospel. No one could accuse them of any wrongdoing. Like a loving father, they had encouraged and instructed the believers to lead a life that honored God, who had called them into His kingdom and glory.

Paul begins to flesh out the general ideas he mentioned in chapter 1. Here in chapters 2 and 3, he further explains how he came to preach to the Thessalonian people. Paul particularly notes that his good conduct, proving his unselfish motivations, was instrumental in his success. The warm response of the people also endeared them to Paul, making him long to visit them again. Unfortunately, Paul was prevented from doing so, a struggle he attributes to Satan. Paul once again expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian Christians' ability to honor God despite persecution.

Chapter 1 briefly introduced the relationship between Paul and the Christians at Thessalonica. This introduction is expanded in chapter 2, where Paul gives additional details about how he came to preach there, why he left, and what he has heard of their spiritual progress. Chapter 3 will round out this glowing report with a reference to a visit from Paul's friend and student, Timothy.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.

Accessed 5/2/2024 12:51:33 AM