Exhorted, Comforted and Charged 1 Thessalonians 2:11

Paul the apostle reminded the Thessalonians of he and his companions' care and concern for them as they shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. He helped them remember how “holily and justly and unblameably” they “behaved” among the believers, and in chapter two and verse eleven of his letter, Paul goes on to share more examples of ways they lived among them such as “exhorted, comforted and charged”. We read:

As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,

as a father does his children,

The verse begins, “As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,...” Paul began with the word, “As” which means “according, just or even” “you know” or “see, perceive with the eyes and senses, notice, discern and discover” “how we exhorted” which means “call to one's side, summoned, addressed and spoke to” “and comforted” or “spoke to and addressed whether by admonition and incentive or to calm and console” “and charged” which is the Greek word “martyreō” and means “to be or bear witness, affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something or that he knows it because it is taught by divine revelation or inspiration” “every one of you” which refers to “each Thessalonican” with who Paul and his comrades shared. Paul knew the importance of a full relationship with those with whom he spoke, and because he did, there were times where they needed “exhortation and summon”. Other times their need was “comfort” which calmed or consoled them, and still other times they needed to be “charged” that they might see or know by experience that of which he spoke.

The verse goes on to say, “... as a father does his children,” Paul continued his words with an example, “as a father” who is “a generator or male ancestor” “does his children” or “offspring”. Paul and his companions treated the Thessalonians as “children”, and they nurtured and cared for them as though they were their own.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we cannot help but notice the depth of his care for the Thessalonians. It is interesting to contrast this with the way he formally was with the Christians when he “breathed out threatenings and slaughters” against them. Paul knew that a true, loving and caring relationship with people includes times of “exhortation”, “comfort” and “charge”, and these should be bestowed upon others as a father would his children. Perhaps we should consider our care for others and use Paul's ways to challenge our own, and as the Lord Jesus works through His Holy Spirit in our lives, may others see us as ones who care for their welfare even as a loving father does his children.

Next time Paul declares how he wanted the Thessalonians to “walk worthy of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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