1 Thessalonians 2 8

1 Thessalonians 2:8 kjv

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 nkjv

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 niv

so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 esv

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 nlt

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.

1 Thessalonians 2 verses

1 Thessalonians 2 8 Meaning

1 Thessalonians 2:8 reveals the profound and selfless love of Paul and his co-workers (Silvanus and Timothy) for the Thessalonian believers. Driven by intense affection, they were joyfully willing to share with the converts not only the divine message of the Gospel but also their very lives, signifying a complete personal investment and sacrifice. This deep commitment arose because the Thessalonians had become exceptionally precious and beloved to them.

1 Thessalonians 2 8 Context

First Thessalonians chapter 2 recounts Paul's defense of his ministry and the apostles' conduct among the believers. He contrasts his pure motives with those of deceptive or exploitative teachers, emphasizing that their outreach was not driven by flattery, greed, or seeking human glory (1 Thess 2:3-6). Instead, their approach was marked by tenderness "like a nursing mother" (1 Thess 2:7) and diligence "like a father with his children" (1 Thess 2:11). Within this passage, verse 8 vividly expresses the deep affection and self-sacrificial commitment they exhibited, showing that their spiritual communication of the Gospel was intrinsically tied to the personal investment of their very lives. The historical context includes a newly formed church in Thessalonica, facing opposition, where genuine, loving pastoral care was crucial for their nascent faith.

1 Thessalonians 2 8 Word analysis

• So (οὕτως - houtōs): "Thus," "in this way," or "consequently." This particle links directly to the preceding description of their gentle and unblemished conduct, indicating that their actions were a result of, or in line with, that integrity. It introduces the powerful expression of their commitment.

• being affectionately desirous (ὀμειρόμενοι - omeiromenoi): This rare and deeply significant Greek term (a hapax legomenon in its participial form in the NT) signifies a profound, tender, passionate longing, an ardent affection. It evokes the tender yearning of a parent for a child or the intense love of a beloved one. It denotes a love that goes beyond mere fondness, reflecting an eager, almost painful, yearning for the spiritual welfare and growth of the Thessalonians, akin to the affection described in 1 Thess 2:7.

• of you (ὑμῶν - hymōn): "Of you." Specifies the objects of this intense affection – the Thessalonian believers themselves. It emphasizes the personal nature of their bond.

• we were delighted (εὐδοκοῦμεν - eudokoumen): "We were well pleased," "we were gladly willing," "we had full consent." This verb implies not merely acceptance but a joyful, gracious willingness and readiness. It suggests their impartation was not a duty, but a privilege rooted in profound pleasure. The term can also carry a connotation of divine approval, aligning their ministry with God's will.

• to share (μεταδοῦναι - metadounai): "To impart," "to give over to," "to communicate." This verb describes active and willing transmission, emphasizing the bestowal of something precious. It signifies more than just preaching; it’s an act of bestowing a portion of themselves.

• to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): "To you." Reinforces that the giving was directly for and towards the Thessalonian believers.

• not only the gospel of God (οὐ μόνον τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ - ou monon to euangelion tou theou):

  • Gospel (εὐαγγέλιον - euangelion): "Good news." Refers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the central truth and life-giving message they proclaimed.
  • of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): Designates the divine origin and authoritative content of this "good news." It underscores that their message was God's revelation, not human philosophy.

• but also our own lives (ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ψυχάς - alla kai tas heautōn psychas):

  • but also (ἀλλὰ καὶ - alla kai): This intensifying conjunction highlights that what follows is even more significant than the preceding point, creating a climax.
  • our own (ἑαυτῶν - heautōn): "Of ourselves," emphasizing the apostles' personal ownership and ultimate sacrifice of what was their very own.
  • lives / souls (ψυχάς - psychas): "Souls," "lives," "selves." This encompasses the totality of a person’s being—their very existence, strength, time, energy, and resources. It means they were willing to suffer, labor to exhaustion, or even die, for the spiritual welfare of the Thessalonians. It indicates an offering of their entire selves, in personal devotion.

• because (διότι - dioti): "For this reason," "since." Introduces the fundamental motivation and reason behind their exceptional and total commitment.

• you had become so dear (ἀγαπητοὶ ἡμῖν ἐγενήθητε - agapētoi hēmin egenēthēte):

  • dear / beloved (ἀγαπητοὶ - agapētoi): "Beloved ones." Derived from agapē, signifying a profound, unconditional, volitional love. It means they were cherished and held in high esteem.
  • had become (ἐγενήθητε - egenēthēte): "You came to be," "you were made to be." Implies a developed, dynamic relationship. The Thessalonians had, over time, secured a deep and cherished place in the apostles' hearts.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "So being affectionately desirous of you": This opening phrase immediately establishes the tender and profound emotional foundation of the apostles' ministry. It portrays a deep, longing affection that far exceeds professional duty, marking a personal, parental-like bond.
  • "we were delighted to share with you": This demonstrates the apostles' active and joyful participation in self-giving. Their sharing was not grudging or obligatory but stemmed from a genuine pleasure in serving those they deeply loved, aligning their actions with divine delight.
  • "not only the gospel of God but our very lives as well": This crucial "not only...but also" construction highlights the full scope of their unparalleled devotion. It illustrates that effective gospel proclamation is inseparable from personal sacrifice. They weren't just disseminating information; they were living out the truth of the Gospel through their self-giving, showing that their message required their complete personal identification with it, even to the point of potentially dying for its advancement and the hearers' spiritual welfare.
  • "because you had become so dear to us": This clause provides the compelling reason for such radical generosity and devotion. It underscores that the profound love they felt for the Thessalonian believers was the catalyst for their total commitment—spiritually and personally. Their love for the recipients propelled their absolute devotion.

1 Thessalonians 2 8 Bonus section

The intense level of relational connection implied by "ὀμειρόμενοι" (omeiromenoi) for "being affectionately desirous" goes beyond merely being "fond of." It reflects a yearning that feels like a vital part of oneself is connected to the beloved, a love that incurs significant cost but is joyfully paid. This kind of devoted attachment is what allows the transfer of spiritual truth to be so effective, as it's accompanied by the living demonstration of selfless love. This verse, combined with 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (nursing mother) and 2:11 (father with children), completes a beautiful picture of holistic, parental spiritual care, setting a timeless paradigm for discipleship and mentorship within the church. It reminds us that ministry is not merely transactional, but transformational, demanding an outpouring of both the divine Word and the very life of the minister, fueled by sincere affection for the beloved.

1 Thessalonians 2 8 Commentary

1 Thessalonians 2:8 stands as a profound testament to authentic apostolic and pastoral ministry, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between message and life. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy exemplify a ministry driven by profound love (agapē), using a deeply intimate and rare Greek word (omeiromenoi) to convey their fervent, yearning affection for the Thessalonian converts. This was no superficial goodwill but a bond akin to a mother's longing for her child or a passionate cherishing. This deep desire fueled a joyous willingness to impart not merely "the gospel of God"—the divine truth that brings salvation—but also "their very lives."

This latter phrase signifies a readiness for total self-investment: their time, energy, strength, sufferings, and even their physical existence or "souls" poured out for the sake of the believers. It demonstrates that the power of the Gospel is not only in its divine content but also in its incarnation in the lives of those who preach it, making the message tangible and credible. The apostles understood that effectively transmitting God's truth often requires radical personal cost. Their ultimate motivation was that the Thessalonians "had become so dear" to them, indicating a deeply personal, cherished relationship. This verse provides a powerful standard for all who minister, suggesting that true spiritual care necessitates a giving of oneself in complete devotion, motivated by a sincere and sacrificial love for those being served, mirroring the self-giving heart of Christ Himself.