1 Thessalonians 2:8-12

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

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

12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

well pleased to impart (v.8) — they both chose to do it and found pleasure in it — tense indicates a determination made and adhered to — Romans 1:11

impart (v.8) = not just giving, but sharing

you had become dear to us (v.8) — Paul’s ministry, begun because of his love for Christ, resulted in a deep love for the Thessalonians. “Dear” is translated elsewhere as “beloved.”

labor (v.9) = toil resulting in weariness —  Paul was probably tentmaking at night and ministering during the day — Acts 18:3; Acts 20:34-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8

that (v.9 and 12)  = for this purpose

not be a burden (v.9) — 2 Corinthians 11:9

you are witnesses and God also (v.10) — see note on v.5

justly (v.10) = upright, straight dealing

blamelessly (v.10) — no charge against them could be maintained

exhorted (v.11) = call to one’s side, send for, summon in the sense of encouragement

comforted (v.11) = encouragement that cheers someone up

As a father (v.11), Paul charges them, in the sense of challenging them, to walk worthy of God — in v.7, he shows that he was gentle as a mother, thereby demonstrating two aspects of the same love.

calls (v.12) — present, continuous tense —  1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:9

kingdom (v.12) — When used by Paul, “kingdom” does not refer to Christ’s rule on earth during the millennium. He is referring to those who acknowledge the sovereignty of God.

The kingdom is now vested in Christ, at the Father’s right hand. He, though now exiled, is the rightful King. it is not to Jews, but to Gentiles in the flesh, that Paul writes:  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14). — Stam, page 33.

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