Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:9

"For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God." — 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (ASV)

Paul now recalls the long hours, day and night, of extreme toil and hardship by which he, Silas, and Timothy supported themselves while preaching. He takes the single item of self-support as evidence of his broader concern for the Thessalonians. “Toil” (GK 3160; cf. 1:3) emphasizes the fatigue they incurred in expending themselves, while “hardship” (GK 3677) highlights external difficulties encountered in the process. As in 2 Thessalonians 3:8, the combination describes the apostles’ efforts at providing their own upkeep, an example much needed by some in Thessalonica (5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15). Paul’s work was tentmaking (Acts 18:3), probably meaning the production of tent material from animal hair or skins. Part of a Jewish child’s upbringing was learning a trade, and Paul was no exception to this. He did receive some financial help from the Philippian church while he was in Thessalonica , but not enough to permit him to stop working. Apparently his wages were so low that he needed gifts to enable him to take some time off for preaching (Acts 18:5). Though missionary service includes the right to support from others (1 Corinthians 9:3ff.), Paul did not always use that right (cf. Acts 20:34–35; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 11:8).

By this “around-the-clock” diligence Paul lifted the burden of support from his converts. His central purpose was to give people the Gospel of God. From this nothing should detract, and making the Gospel “free of charge” (1 Corinthians 9:18) eliminated charges of selfish motives.