Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:7

"But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children:" — 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (ASV)

Not only was the godly concern of Paul and his helpers proved by their freedom from lower motives (vv.5–6), but also by their higher motives (vv.7– 12). The apostle now takes up a positive description that the Thessalonians were bound to agree with because of their own observations—“you remember” (v.9); “you are witnesses” (v.10); “you know” (v.11). When they were with these Macedonians, Paul and his helpers were gentle, not authoritarian (v.7). They demonstrated an utmost tenderness, comparable to that of a mother nursing her own children. The figure implies a special effort to protect one’s children and to provide for their every need, even to the extent of great sacrifice.