1 Thessalonians 2:7 - Meaning and Application

In these words, the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the way he lived among them.

He first points to the gentleness of his conduct: “We were gentle among you” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). He showed great mildness and tenderness, even though he could have acted with the authority of an apostle of Christ. Such behavior gives great weight to religion, because it fits well with God’s gracious way of dealing with sinners through the gospel. Paul hated flattery, yet he was deeply considerate toward everyone. He adapted himself to people’s understanding and became all things to all people. He showed the care and kindness of a nurse who cherishes her children.

This is the way to win people, rather than ruling harshly. God’s word is powerful, and it can come with strong authority to the mind. It also has enough truth to convince any honest person. But it comes with a more attractive power when gospel ministers win the people’s affection as well. Just as a nursing mother bears with a child’s stubbornness, does humble tasks for its good, and holds it close to her breast, so ministers of Christ should behave toward their people. “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone and patient” (2 Timothy 2:24).

Paul showed this gentleness in several ways. First, he had a deep and loving desire for their good: “Being affectionately desirous of you” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). He loved their persons sincerely. He sought them, not what they could give him. He wanted to gain them for God, not make money from them. What he longed for most was their spiritual and eternal good, their salvation.

Second, he showed readiness to do them good, “sharing with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). This shows Paul’s way of preaching. He spared no effort. He was willing to run risks and even lay down his life in service to the gospel. He was ready to spend himself for people’s souls. As those who give bread to the hungry are said to share their very lives (Isaiah 58:10), so the apostles shared their lives in giving the bread of life. The Thessalonians were especially dear to Paul, and his love for them was very great.

Third, he showed it by his bodily labor, so that he would not burden them with expense. “You remember our labor and toil, for we worked night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). He gave up the right he had to receive support from the churches. Along with the work of ministry, he also worked at his trade as a tentmaker so he could earn his own bread. We should not imagine that Paul spent every hour of the night and day in manual labor. If he had, he would have had no time for ministry. Rather, he used part of the night as well as the day in this work, and he was willing to give up sleep so he could do good to souls in the daytime.

This gives ministers a good example. They should work hard for the salvation of people’s souls, though this does not mean they must always preach without pay. No broad rule can be drawn from Paul’s example that ministers may never work with their hands for their own support, or that they always must do so.

Fourth, Paul points to the holiness of his conduct, and he appeals not only to them but also to God: “You are witnesses, and God also” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). The Thessalonians saw his outward life in public, and God saw not only his secret actions but also the inward motives behind them. His conduct was holy toward God, just toward all people, and blameless, without giving cause for scandal or offense. He was careful not to offend those outside the church or those who believed, so that he would set no bad example. He wanted his preaching and his life to match. On this point, Paul later said, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16).

He then mentions their faithful work in the ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). On this too he could call them as witnesses. Paul and his fellow workers were not only good Christians, but faithful ministers. And we should be faithful not only in our general calling as Christians, but also in our particular callings and duties. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, meaning he both instructed them in their duty and urged them to do it with proper reasons and encouragement. He also comforted them, helping and strengthening them in the troubles and discouragements they faced.

He did this not only in public, but privately as well, from house to house (Acts 20:20). He also gave each person personal appeals, which may be what is meant by a father’s charge to his children. This wording also shows the loving and compassionate counsel and comfort Paul used. He was their spiritual father. As he had cared for them like a nursing mother, so he also charged them like a father, with a father’s affection rather than a father’s harsh authority. “I am writing this not to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children” (1 Corinthians 4:14).

Ministers should take note of both the manner and the message of this exhortation. The message is especially important: they should “walk worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). This is our great gospel privilege. God calls us into the kingdom of grace here, and into the kingdom of glory hereafter. He calls us to heaven and blessedness as our goal, and to holiness as the path to that goal.

This is also our great gospel duty, that our minds and lives match this calling and this privilege. We should shape ourselves to the purpose of the gospel and live in a way that fits our profession, our hope, and our future expectation, as people called to so high and holy a calling.