1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: ⁸ So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

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Other Translations of 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

New International Version

⁷ Instead, we were like young childrenSome manuscripts "were gentle" among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

English Standard Version

⁷ But we were gentleSome manuscripts infants among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

The Message

⁷ We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. ⁸ We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.

New King James Version

⁷ But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

New Living Translation

⁷ As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. ⁸ We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

(Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. Our great gospel privilege is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as becomes those called with such a high and holy calling. Our great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.