John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:11

"as ye know how we [dealt with] each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging [you], and testifying," — 1 Thessalonians 2:11 (ASV)

Every one as a father. He insists particularly on those things that belong to his office. He has compared himself to a nurse: he now compares himself to a father. What he means is this—that he was concerned about them, just as a father is accustomed to be toward his sons, and that he had exercised a truly paternal care in instructing and admonishing them.

And, unquestionably, no one will ever be a good pastor unless he shows himself to be a father to the church committed to him. Nor does he merely declare himself to be such to the entire body, but even to the individual members. For it is not enough for a pastor in the pulpit to teach all in common if he does not also add particular instruction, as necessity requires or occasion offers.

Therefore, Paul himself, in Acts 20:26, declares himself to be free from the blood of all men, because he did not cease to admonish all publicly, and also individually in private in their own houses. For instruction given in common is sometimes of little use, and some cannot be corrected or cured without particular medicine.