Paul’s language in this passage is tender and warm. Notice how he makes his genuine affection for them clear. He writes of the Thessalonians becoming 'dear to us' (v 8, NRSV), and uses the similes of a mother (v 7) and father (v 11) caring for their children to express his sense of closeness and compassion for the Thessalonians. 

Love is Paul’s motivation to share the gospel – and his life (v 8). The two are fully integrated and interdependent, providing us with a model of what it means to express the full nature of God’s Word both in spoken and written language, and actions (see vs 9,12). Which do you find comes most naturally to you? How can Paul’s expression of love to the Thessalonians both encourage and challenge you?

The verb ‘dared’ at the beginning of the passage (v 2, NIV) frames this love with a sense of risk, as well as with an awareness of the opposition and trials that can come with obedience to God. How might God be asking you to step out in order to bring his message to others?  Be reassured and emboldened, knowing that the Word of God is ‘at work in you who believe’ (v 13).

Consider this challenging question, especially regarding youth and children’s work: ‘Are you living UP to what you are handing DOWN?’

Today the people of Thessaloniki live under constant surveillance. CCTV cameras are everywhere. Every move made is recorded and can be reviewed. Rosie Millard wrote ‘these days the all-seeing being is the digital camera, which in the real world does indeed play judge and jury for countless little crimes, and some big ones’.¹ Paul, however, had no fear of such scrutiny. Indeed, he called six times for the witness of the Thessalonian believers to his own integrity and twice for God’s (vs 1,2,5,9,10,11). Paul could be trusted; he was sound in both doctrine and behaviour. Of course, the apostle knew that he was a sinner, even describing himself once as ‘the worst of sinners’,² but, as far as he was able, he set checks and boundaries in place so that he could not be justly accused of unrighteousness. So, he worked day and night not to be a financial burden on the infant church. He also rejected any kind of trickery (v 3), flattery or hypocrisy (literally, playing a part on stage, which would have involved the wearing of masks) despite having been accused of all those things by his Judaiser enemies. How would you feel if your every action, private or public, were to be screened in a cinema near you?

Paul’s integrity³ and that of his small team were a foundation for their methods. They were kindly and caring with the young believers. They were gentle with them, like a mother caring for her little children (v 7) and dealt with them like a father (v 11). This parental approach paid dividends in results, because the team’s words were heard and accepted as the words of God. Their familial style of teaching prepared the church for suffering too, as they found themselves the targets of Jewish hatred and opposition. Churches can usually be great theatre or great community – rarely can they be both.

Who has influenced you most greatly in your Christian faith? Pray for integrity and compassion in your dealings with others today.

¹ R Millard, New Statesman, 13 February 2006, quoted by J Lamb, Integrity, IVP, 2006, p36  ² 1 Tim 1:16  ³ See 2 Cor 1:12; 2:17; 4:2; 7:2; 12:17