John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:6

"nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ." — 1 Thessalonians 2:6 (ASV)

When we might have exercised authority. Some interpret this as when we might have been burdensome—that is, might have loaded you with expense—but the context requires that τὸ βαρὺ should be taken to mean authority.

For Paul says that he was so far removed from vain pomp, boasting, and arrogance, that he even waived his just claim regarding the maintenance of authority. Since he was an Apostle of Christ, he deserved to be received with a higher degree of respect, but he had refrained from all display of dignity, as if he were an ordinary minister. From this, it appears how far removed he was from haughtiness.

What we have translated as mild, an older translator renders Fuimus parvuli (that is, we have been little), but the reading I have followed is more commonly accepted among the Greeks. Whichever reading you adopt, there can be no doubt that he mentions his voluntary abasement.

As if a nurse. In this comparison, he includes two points he had previously touched upon—that he had sought neither glory nor gain among the Thessalonians. For a mother nursing her infant shows nothing of power or dignity. Paul says that he was like this, since he voluntarily refrained from claiming the honor due to him and, with calmness and modesty, stooped to every kind of service.

Secondly, a mother nursing her children shows a certain rare and wonderful affection, since she spares no labor or trouble, shuns no anxiety, is not worn out by her constant diligence, and even with cheerfulness of spirit gives her own blood to be sucked. In the same way, Paul declares that he was so inclined towards the Thessalonians that he was prepared to lay down his life for their benefit.

This, certainly, was not the behavior of a man who was sordid or greedy, but of one who showed selfless affection; and he expresses this at the end—because you were dear to us.

Meanwhile, we must bear in mind that all who would be counted as true pastors must show this same disposition as Paul: to care more for the welfare of the Church than for their own lives, and not be driven to duty by concern for their own advantage, but by a sincere love for those to whom they know they are united and indebted.