1 Thessalonians 2 7

1 Thessalonians 2:7 kjv

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

1 Thessalonians 2:7 nkjv

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 niv

Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,

1 Thessalonians 2:7 esv

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 nlt

As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2 verses

1 Thessalonians 2 7 Meaning

The verse powerfully describes the profound tenderness and selfless care that the apostle Paul, along with his companions Silas and Timothy, demonstrated towards the Thessalonian believers. Paul portrays their ministry not as an imposition of authority or a self-serving pursuit, but as an act of intimate nurturing, akin to a nursing mother cherishing and providing sustenance for her own vulnerable children. This image communicates genuine love, protective concern, constant provision, and a deep emotional bond extended with immense tenderness.

1 Thessalonians 2 7 Context

The immediate context of 1 Thessalonians 2:7 finds Paul rigorously defending the authenticity and purity of his apostolic ministry among the Thessalonians. In the preceding verses (2:1-6), he addresses potential accusations or misunderstandings, stating explicitly that his gospel was not presented with error, impurity, or deceit, nor was he seeking human praise or financial gain through flattery or pretense. Verse 7 serves as a direct, positive counterpoint to these potential negative assumptions, affirming the true nature of their conduct. It highlights that their interaction was fundamentally characterized by genuine, tender love and selfless care.

Historically and culturally, the image of a "nursing mother" would have resonated deeply within the family-centric society of Thessalonica. In the Greco-Roman world, traveling rhetoricians, philosophers, and religious teachers often operated with ulterior motives, seeking personal wealth, renown, or social influence through flattery, deceit, or demanding patronage. Paul explicitly contrasts his ministry style with these prevalent practices. By adopting the humble and intimately devoted image of a nursing mother, he underscores a unique, Christ-centered approach to spiritual leadership – one of vulnerability, selfless provision, and profound, unconditional love that sought only the well-being and spiritual growth of the believers, rather than any personal benefit.

1 Thessalonians 2 7 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλ’ / all’): This strong adversative conjunction creates a deliberate contrast, shifting from Paul's denial of corrupt motives in the previous verses to a clear, positive affirmation of his and his co-workers' genuine conduct. It signals: "Instead of those negative behaviors, this is how we truly behaved."

• we were (ἐγενήθημεν / egenēthēmen): Derived from ginomai ("to become, to be"), this verb implies that gentleness was not merely an occasional act but an enduring, ingrained aspect of their character and how they existed among the Thessalonians throughout their ministry. It describes a consistent state of being and relating.

• gentle (ἤπιοι / ēpioi): This crucial adjective signifies mildness, kindness, placidness, and a freedom from harshness or severity. It conveys patience and a compassionate disposition. While a minority of ancient manuscripts have νήπιοι (nēpioi), meaning "infants" or "children," which would suggest humility or defenselessness, the majority textual evidence and contextual flow strongly support ἤπιοι ("gentle"), emphasizing Paul's tender demeanor in contrast to a dominating authority.

• among you (ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν / en mesō hymōn): This phrase highlights the close proximity and direct experience of their gentle approach. It signifies that their kindness was lived out within the everyday interactions of the community, not observed from a distance or asserted from a position of superiority.

• like a nursing mother (ὡς ἂν τροφὸς / hōs an trophos): This poignant simile is central to the verse. Trophos specifically denotes a "wet-nurse" or "nursing mother," a figure embodying intimate physical care, warmth, and constant availability. The image speaks to primal provision, intense personal devotion, and profound sacrifice.

• taking care of (θάλπῃ / thalpē): From the verb thalpō, meaning "to cherish, to warm, to nurture, to foster." This term adds layers of meaning beyond mere feeding. It speaks to providing comfort, tender affection, and active nurturing—the comprehensive warmth and security that a mother lovingly bestows upon her child.

• her own children (τὰ ἑαυτῆς τέκνα / ta heautēs tekna): The inclusion of "her own" intensifies the personal and possessive nature of this love. It underscores that the care was unreserved, natural, and flowed from an inherent bond, prioritizing the children's well-being above the mother's own comfort or needs. It signifies a profound, unselfish love, viewing the Thessalonians as their true spiritual offspring.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "But we were gentle among you": This initial clause effectively contrasts the humble and loving conduct of the apostles with any cynical perceptions of self-serving motives. It portrays them as approachable and patient, deliberately rejecting any notion of overbearing authority.
  • "like a nursing mother taking care of her own children": This extended simile is a powerful, multifaceted descriptor of authentic spiritual care. It encapsulates intimate provision, consistent attention, emotional warmth, protective instinct, and complete self-giving. The image bypasses notions of external authority to portray a bond rooted in selfless love, prioritizing the spiritual sustenance and welfare of the nascent believers as deeply and instinctively as a mother prioritizes her child.

1 Thessalonians 2 7 Bonus section

• This powerful metaphor provides a crucial balance to Paul's occasional descriptions of himself as a "spiritual father" (as seen later in 1 Thess 2:11), highlighting that Christian leadership encompasses both paternal guidance and maternal tenderness.
• The imagery emphasizes the immense vulnerability and dependence of the new believers in Thessalonica, underscoring the necessity of tender, continuous spiritual nourishment for their initial growth in faith.
• This gentle and self-sacrificing approach stood in stark contrast to the exploitative tactics often employed by false teachers or itinerant philosophers of the day, making it an implicit, yet powerful, polemic against such practices.
• Paul's conduct here beautifully exemplifies the "gentleness" that is a fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating how a spirit-filled life directly translates into genuine, Christ-like interpersonal ministry.

1 Thessalonians 2 7 Commentary

In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul paints an indelible picture of his apostolic ministry, not defined by power or demand, but by profound, self-sacrificial love. The chosen metaphor of a "nursing mother taking care of her own children" bypasses typical societal power dynamics, where authority figures might command respect or gain. Instead, it underscores a deeply intimate and vulnerable form of care. A nursing mother gives herself unreservedly, providing essential nourishment, comfort, warmth, and security with utter devotion, seeking nothing in return for herself but the well-being of her child. This image conveys Paul's utter lack of self-interest, his willingness to share not just the gospel but his very life, and his complete focus on the spiritual growth and maturity of the Thessalonians. It serves as an enduring model for Christian leadership: gentle, nurturing, self-giving, and profoundly affectionate.