1 Thessalonians 2:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of his conversation among them. And, I. He mentions the gentleness of their behaviour: We were gentle among you, 1 Thess. 2:7. He showed great mildness and tenderness who might have acted with the authority of an apostle of Christ. Such behaviour greatly recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This great apostle, though he abhorred and avoided flattery, was most... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

2:1-12 You yourselves know, brothers, that our coming among you was not to no effect; but after we had--as you know--already undergone suffering and ill-treatment at Philippi, we were bold in our God to tell you the good news of God, and a sore struggle we had. Our appeal to you did not proceed from any delusion, nor from impure motives, nor was it calculated to deceive; but as we have been deemed worthy by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as if we were seeking to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

But we were gentle among you ,.... Meek and humble, mild and moderate; not using severity, or carrying it in a haughty imperious manner; assuming power and dominion, lording it over God's heritage, and commanding persons to do homage and honour to them, and forcing themselves upon them, and obliging them to maintain them. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, instead of "gentle", read, "little children"; as the word signifies, by adding a letter to it, and expresses much the same as the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Verse 7 What we have rendered mild, the old translator renders Fuimus parvuli , (we have been little,) (525) but the reading which I have followed is more generally received among the Greeks; but whichever you may take, there can be no doubt that he makes mention of his voluntary abasement. (526) As if a nurse. In this comparison he takes in two points that he had touched upon — that he had sought neither glory nor gain among the Thessalonians. For a mother in nursing her infant shews nothing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I. APPEAL TO THE RECOLLECTION OF THE THESSALONIANS . 1. His first appearance among them had not been in vain . Others had borne witness to its results. That testimony was true; the Thessalonians knew it themselves. The apostle appeals to them in all the confidence of Christian simplicity. Perfectly sincere and single-hearted himself, he knew that as a body they had appreciated the purity of his motives. They could bear testimony (he knew that they would gladly do so)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I. WHAT THE THESSALONIANS HAD FOUND THEIR PREACHING TO BE . 1. Not void of power . "For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain." "For" goes back to the first of the two divisions given at the close of the previous chapter. This is indicated by the recurrence of the leading Greek word translated "entering in." It was said, "For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you." There is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

But . The apostle now describes iris conduct positively. We were gentle ; a word used of the amiable conduct of a superior toward an inferior, as of a master toward a servant, a prince toward his subjects, or a father toward his children. "The servant of God must not strive, but be gentle toward all men" ( 2 Timothy 2:24 ). Some manuscripts read, "We were babes among you"—the difference being only the addition of another letter. Among you; in our intercourse with you. Even as a nurse ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

But we were gentle among you - Instead of using authority, we used only the most kind and gentle methods to win you and to promote your peace and order. The word here rendered “nurse,” may mean any one who nurses a child, whether a mother or another person. It seems here to refer to a mother (compare 1 Thessalonians 2:11), and the idea is, that the apostle felt for them the affectionate solicitude which a mother does for the child at her breast. read more

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