Paul considered himself a “spiritual father” to the believers at Thessalonica, just as he did toward the saints at Corinth. “For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4: nasb). The Spirit of God used the Word of God in Paul’s ministry, and many people in Thessalonica were born again into the family of God.
But the father not only begets the children; he also cares for them. As he defended his own work against false accusations, Paul pointed out three of his duties as the spiritual father to the Thessalonicans.
His work (v. 9). The father works to support his family. Even though the Christians in Philippi sent financial help (Phil. 4:15–16), Paul still made tents and paid his own way. No one could accuse him of using his ministry for his own profit. Later on, Paul used this fact to shame the lazy Christians in the Thessalonican church (2 Thess. 3:6ff).
Paul used the words “labor and travail.” J. B. Phillips translated these words “our struggles and hard work.” “Toil and hardship” would be another translation. It was not easy to make tents and minister the Word at the same time. No wonder Paul toiled “night and day” (Acts 20:31). He toiled because he loved the believers and wanted to help them as much as possible. “For I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor. 12:14).
His walk (v. 10). Fathers must live so that they are good examples to their children. He could call the Thessalonican believers as witnesses that his life had been exemplary in every way. None of the members of the assembly could accuse Paul of being a poor example. Furthermore, God had witnessed Paul’s life, and Paul was not afraid to call God as a witness that he had lived a dedicated life, while caring for the church family.
His life was holy. In the Greek, this means to “carefully fulfill the duties God gives to a person.” Our word pious is close to it, if you think of piety at its best and not as some fake kind of religion. This same word is applied to the character of God in Revelation 15: and 16:5.
His life was also righteous. This refers to integrity, uprightness of character, and behavior. This is not the “righteousness, which is of the law” but the practical righteousness that God works out in our lives as we yield to Him (Phil. 3:4–10).
Paul’s life was also unblamable. Literally, this word means “not able to find fault in.” His enemies might accuse him, but no one could level any charge against Paul and prove it. Christians are supposed to be “blameless and harmless” as they live in this world (Phil. 2:15).
His words (vv. 11–12). A father must not only support the family by working and teach the family by being a good example, He must also take time to speak to the family members. Paul knew the importance of teaching these new believers the truths that would help them grow in the Lord.
Paul dealt with each of the believers personally. “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children” (1 Thess. 2: niv). As busy as he was, Paul still had time for personal counseling with the members of the assembly. While it is good for church leaders to address the larger group, spending time with people on a one-to-one basis is also needed. Our Lord was never too busy to speak to individuals, even though He preached to great multitudes. To be sure, this is difficult and demanding work. But it is rewarding work that glorifies God.
Paul encouraged the new believers. This is what a father does with his children, for children are easily discouraged. New Christians need someone to encourage them in the Lord. The word exhorting in our Authorized Version means “to call to one’s side, to encourage.” It does not mean that Paul scolded them. Rather, it means he encouraged them to go on with the Lord.
I once received a letter from a radio listener who thanked me for the encouragement of the messages she had heard. “When we go to church,” she wrote, “all our pastor does is scold us and whip us. We really get tired of this. It’s refreshing to hear some words of encouragement!”
Paul also comforted them. This word carries the same idea of “encouragement,” with the emphasis on activity. Paul not only made them feel better, but he made them want to do better. A father must not pamper a child; rather, he must encourage the child to go right back and try over again. Christian encouragement must not become an anesthesia that puts us to sleep. It must be a stimulant that awakens us to do better.
Finally, Paul charged them. This word means that Paul “testified to them” out of his own experience with the Lord. It carries the idea of giving personal witness. Sometimes we go through difficulties so that we may share with new Christians what the Lord has done. God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. 1: niv).
We who are parents know that our children (especially teenagers) do not like to hear us say, “Now, back when I was a kid.…” But this is an important part of training a family. It is a wonderful thing when a “spiritual father” can encourage and help his “children” out of his own experience with the Lord. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Ps. 34:11).
What was the purpose for this fatherly ministry to the believers? His aim was that his children might “walk worthy of God” (1 Thess. 2:12). Just as a father wants to be proud of his children, so the Lord wants to get glory through the lives of His children. “I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth” (2 John 4 nasb). Paul ministered to them in such a personal way because he was teaching them how to walk.
Every child must learn how to walk. He must have good models to follow. Paul admonished them to walk “worthy of the Lord” (see Col. 1: and Phil. 1:27). We are to walk worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:1). God has called us; we are saved by grace. We are a part of His kingdom and glory. One day we shall enter the eternal kingdom and share His glory. This assurance ought to govern our lives and make us want to please the Lord.
The verb in 1 Thessalonians 2: is in the present tense: “who is continually calling you.” God called us to salvation (2 Thess. 2:13–14), and He is constantly calling us to a life of holiness and obedience. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior]; because it is written, ‘Be ye holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
This passage gives us a beautiful example of New Testament follow-up. Paul has shown us how to raise the babies. We must be faithful stewards, loving mothers, and concerned fathers. If we are not faithful to God, we may find ourselves becoming doting mothers and pampering fathers. Children need discipline as well as love. In fact, discipline is one evidence of love.
No wonder the church at Thessalonica prospered in spite of persecution, and shared the gospel with others for miles around. They had been born right (1 Thess. 1) and nurtured right (1 Thess. 2). This is a good example for us to follow.