Paul was dealing with conflict in the Thessalonian church. He had suffered much persecution because of his faith in Christ. This was common among many of the believers. The issue was that many Jews were the ones doing the persecuting. Part of their process of persecution was through false teaching and disrupting the new believers in Christ. They employed many methods of disruption and destruction upon those who claimed the name of Christ.
Persecution, as I said, took on many fronts. The new believers were constantly bombarded with lies and hatred and confusion. Paul was concerned for them and wanted to make sure that they did not lose heart and return to their pagan ways. Paul addresses some of the things he has heard about in the Thessalonian church. He also address his responsibility to those believers.
Paul was not a stranger to hard work. In fact, he was sometimes criticized for working to support himself instead of having the church support him. He makes reference to this 2:6 and 2:9. Paul knew the authority as an apostle that he had, but he also knew the humility he must demonstrate in this case to the church. Because of this, he worked for all that he needed. He did not wish to be a burden to them. The Scripture is not real clear why he did this, we could speculate and maybe we would be right. But, instead I think it best to know that Paul loved this church and it appears that he is doing what needed to be done to reach them.
Paul offers four examples of his love and responsibility to the Thessalonian church. (I would like to thank Dr. Woo for helping to explain these better.)Paul describes the relationship to the believers in these terms- steward, nursing mother, father, and herald.
Steward- Paul expresses throughout this chapter that as a leader and apostle and disciple, that the new believers are his responsibility. He has been entrusted with their care. He takes this very seriously and he should. (2:4-6)
Nursing mother- Paul expresses his love for them in a very intimate way. Not only does a nursing mother provide nourishment but protection for her child. Paul is responsible for spiritually feeding the believers and teaching them to grow in Christ until they can learn to feed themselves. He also paints a picture of tenderness for those in his care. He does not provide for them because he has to but because he wants to.(2:7-8)
Father- Paul’s life was an example for the believers. Like a father, he lived and acted in a manner to demonstrate to them how they too should live. He was there to provide the example and correct them along the way. A father disciplines his child because he loves him and wants him to be successful. In like manner, Paul was there to encourage them and build them up. He was the father cheering on his child. Most importantly, Paul raised his children in a “manner worthy of God(2:12).” This was his goal for himself and his desire for the believers. (2:9-12)
Herald- Paul reminded them of how they heard the message of Christ. As a spokesman for Jesus, he declared the Gospel to the Gentiles like a herald would announce a king. This was contrary to the false teachers who sought glory for themselves and not for the king. Paul was pleased that they accepted his master that he announced before them. This was his joy and his responsibility.
If Paul was an example for us who follow Christ, then what responsibility do we have to the believers in our care?
