1Th 2:7, 11 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 7. But we were gentle among you ] Far from assuming the authority which we had, we acted towards you as a tender nurse or parent does to a delicate child. We fed, counselled, cherished, and bore with you; we taught you to walk, preserved you from stumbling, and led you in a right path. Instead of ηπιοι, gentle , many MSS., and several versions and fathers, have νηπιοι, young children . But this never can be considered the original reading, the scope of the place being totally opposed to it. It is the Thessalonians whom the apostle considers as young children , and himself and fellow labourers as the nurse ; he could with no propriety say that he was among them as a little child , while himself professed to be their nurse .

‏ 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Verse 7. But we were gentle among you] Far from assuming the authority which we had, we acted towards you as a tender nurse or parent does to a delicate child. We fed, counselled, cherished, and bore with you; we taught you to walk, preserved you from stumbling, and led you in a right path.

Instead of ηπιοι, gentle, many MSS., and several versions and fathers, have νηπιοι, young children. But this never can be considered the original reading, the scope of the place being totally opposed to it. It is the Thessalonians whom the apostle considers as young children, and himself and fellow labourers as the nurse; he could with no propriety say that he was among them as a little child, while himself professed to be their nurse.

‏ 1 Thessalonians 2:11

Verse 11. 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.