1 Thessalonians 2:7-10 - We were gentle among you

2:7,8

Paul first says that they were like young children, but there are variants which say “we were gentle among you” (see ESV). There is only one Greek letter difference. The ESV seems more likely, and even if it does say “young children” that probably means that they were not asserting themselves with the Thessalonians. This would then make sense of the rest of v7 and 8. Paul and his companions made their goal to care for the Thessalonians as a nursing mother cares for her children. They shared both the gospel and themselves. The Thessalonians were not treated as “pew fodder”, but as real people.

2:9,10

Paul and his companions worked for their living while they were with the Thessalonians, probably as a tentmaker in Paul’s case. So they worked hard to make a living, and they worked hard to communicate the gospel. They worked hard so that they were not a burden on anyone else. Moreover, their lives were good examples, they sought to live by Godly standards, and the people could witness this. God, of course, also knew the truth of this. Paul is an example of the integrity of lifestyle that we should all seek to exhibit.