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1 Thessalonians 2:11

in 1 Thessalonians 2

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,

KJV

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

This verse in 1 Thessalonians 2

Commentary

9 notes on this verse

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians · Written before 1274.

Like a father, "For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15); we exhorted each one of you. A similar example is found in Philemon (1:8): "Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is …

This site's exposition

as a father treats his own children

on 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

The nursing mother of verse 7 is joined by a father: we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. Each of you makes the care personal, given one by one.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on 1 Thessalonians 3 · Written before 407.

proposed

"As ye know how we exhorted and comforted each one of you, as a father doth his own children." Above having spoken of his behavior here he speaks of his love, which was more than what belonged to his rule over them. And what is said marks his freedom from pride. "As a father his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into His own kingdom and glory." When he says, "and testifying," then he makes mention of "fathers"; although we testified, it was not violently, but like fathers. "Each one of you." Strange! in so great a multitude to omit no one, neither small nor great, neither rich nor poor. "Exhorting" you, he says; to bear. "And comforting and testifying." "Exhorting," therefore they did not seek glory; and "testifying," therefore they did not flatter. "That ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into His own kingdom and glory." Observe again, how, in relating, he both teaches and comforts. For if He hath called them unto His kingdom, if He called them unto glory, they ought to endure all things. We "entreat" you, not that you should grant us any favor, but that you should gain the kingdom of heaven.

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians · Written before 1107.

proposed

Again he calls them witnesses – a sign that he speaks without any arrogance.

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

As you know,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

As my beloved sons, I warn you, 1 Cor. iv. The manner of this apostle's exhortation ought to be regarded by ministers in particular for their imitation, and the matter of it is greatly to be regarded by them and all others; namely, that they would walk worthy of God, who hath called them to his kingdom and glory,

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

How we exhorted - That is, to a holy life. And comforted - In the times of affliction. And charged - Greek, “testified.” The word testify is used here in the sense of protesting, or making an earnest and solemn appeal.
2 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

The minister, if he would be useful, must not deal merely in generalities, but must individualize and particularize. as a father--with mild gravity. The Greek is, "his own children."

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

How we exhorted - What pastoral care is marked here! They exhorted - were continually teaching and instructing, the objects of their charge; this was their general work. And comforted - They found many under trials and temptations, and those they encouraged. And charged - Μαρτυρουμενοι· Continued witness to the people that all the threatenings and promises of God were true; that he required faith, love, and obedience; that he could not behold sin with allowance; that Jesus died to save them from their sins; and that, without holiness, none should see God. And all these things they did, not in a general way only, but they spoke to every man; none was left unnoticed, unadmonished, uncomforted. The spirit in which they performed all these branches of the pastoral care was that which was most likely to insure success; as a father treats his children, so they treated every member of the Church.

The words behind it

10 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    2 Thessalonians 3:12

    We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

    it leads to

    • Ephesians 4:28

      He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

    • 1 Thessalonians 4:11

      and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:8

      nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

    • Ecclesiastes 4:6

      Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

  • Through

    1 Timothy 5:21

    I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

    it leads to

    • 2 Peter 2:4

      For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

    • 2 Timothy 4:1

      I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:

    • 1 Timothy 6:13

      I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:

  • Through

    Hebrews 13:22

    I urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 3:1

      Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

About 1 Thessalonians

St Paul Preaching at Athens, Raphael, about 1515 to 1516, Royal Collection. Public domain.
St Paul Preaching at Athens, Raphael, about 1515 to 1516, Royal Collection. Public domain.
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Thessalonians 3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians.