1 Thess. 2:7. just as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
Here the apostle shows his tender love. Does a nurse flatter a child? Does she seek money from little ones? So too a teacher must be gentle and love those who insult him, just as a nurse loves her children, even if they beat her.
1 Thess. 2:8. So we, out of affection (ἱμειρόμενοι; in Bl. Theophylact: ὁμειρόμενοι) for you, were willing to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls.
Ὁμειρόμενοι ὑμῶν, that is, attached to you and caring for you, from ὁμοῦ (together) and εἴρω (I join). (Further, Blessed Theophylact says: some have read ἱμειρόμενοι, that is, desiring, but this is incorrect.) Therefore, not only, says the apostle, did we take nothing from you, but we "were willing," that is, we strongly desire to expend for you even our own souls, if need be. Therefore, to impart the gospel is a most precious thing, but to give up one's soul is far more difficult and is a matter of extraordinary love — such is his conclusion.
1 Thess. 2:8. You had become dear to us.
Lest it seem that he speaks about all this because he labored for them and therefore ought to enjoy honor from them, he says: I do this for no other reason than love. For I do not seek reward, but do everything for the sake of duty itself.
1 Thess. 2:9. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: working night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
He did not say: remember our benefactions, but "labor," and not simply that, but also "toil," that is, labor with great diligence. And not only during the day, but also at night. Such is the zeal and such is the care — so as not to cause anyone to stumble! With the words "so as not to burden any of you," he shows that the Thessalonians were in poverty.
1 Thess. 2:10. You are witnesses, and God,
God is a trustworthy witness, but since people do not know whether God testifies to this, he also calls as witnesses those to whom the word is addressed.
1 Thess. 2:10. how devoutly
Fulfilling all that is required, for this is the meaning of "holy," in place of the expression: with the fear of God.
1 Thess. 2:10. and righteously
That is, not extorting money from anyone – demanding exactions of money.
1 Thess. 2:10. and blamelessly
Not offending and not giving occasion for stumbling.
1 Thess. 2:10. we behaved before you who believe,
Then whereas among the unbelievers the apostle was called godless and a deceiver, a babbler and utterly senseless.
1 Thess. 2:11. because you know.
Again he calls them witnesses – a sign that he speaks without any arrogance.
1 Thess. 2:11. As each one of you, as a father his own children,
1 Thess. 2:12. we asked and urged
It is remarkable how he left no one without consolation, but said to each one what was needed! They "exhorted" them to endure all things courageously. Therefore, he says, I did not seek glory. Above, the apostle likened himself to a nurse; now he likens himself to a father, showing his love, his authority, and his simplicity. For what father conducts himself proudly before his children?
1 Thess. 2:12. and exhorted you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own Kingdom and glory.
To exhort (in the Slavonic text – "to testify") – this is already a sign of very strict instruction. Therefore, I, he says, did not flatter. After saying "as a father," he added also the word "exhorted" ("testifying"). For not strictly, he says, but as fathers (testifying) "to walk worthy of God." See how, in recounting what happened before, he both teaches and persuades. For if God calls us into the Kingdom, then we must endure all things.