Willing to Have Imparted Our Souls 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Paul the apostle and his companions not only taught the “gospel” of Jesus Christ through their words, but also demonstrated the “good news” by caring for the Thessalonians “even as a nurse cherishes her children”. In chapter two and verse eight of his letter, Paul declared the depth of his care for the church members as he told them how he and his fellows were “willing to have imparted unto” them not only the “gospel of God”, but also their “own souls” because they were so “dear”. We read:

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.

The verse begins, “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you,...” Paul began with the phrase, “So being affectionately desirous” which means “longing for, desiring and yearning for love” “of you” which refers to the Thessalonians “we were willing” or “thinking, choosing, determining, deciding and readily with pleasure” “to have imparted unto you” or “given over and sharing” with them. Paul and his companions cared so much for the Thessalonians they were determinately decided they would be in a state of giving to them.

The verse goes on to say, “...not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” Paul continued as he shared what they would give, “not the gospel” or “good tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of the Messiah the founder of the kingdom” “of God” which means “the Godhead and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “but also” or “nevertheless, not withstanding, even and indeed” “our own souls” which refers to “their breath of life, seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “because” or “for, inasmuch as, on the very account and therefore” “you were dear to us” which means “beloved, esteemed, favored and worthy of love” by Paul and his entourage. Paul and his companions so dearly loved the Thessalonians, they would have given their own breath and life for them should the opportunity present itself.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how intensely he cared for the people in Thessalonica. What a change this is toward people when we consider that he once “breathed out threatenings and slaughter” against those within the church. Only the Lord Jesus can put this kind of care and love within a person, and perhaps our consideration should be whether we exemplify this behavior toward others ourselves. Let us ask our Heavenly Father to baptize us in His Holy Spirit that we may love others not only as Paul and his companions, but also as He did through Jesus Christ when He was in the world.

Next time Paul writes about how he and his companions labored so they “would not be chargeable” to the Thessalonicans, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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