1 Thessalonians 2:7-10

1 Thess 2:7 "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. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:”

In verses 1-6 Paul gave an example and an explanation about how not to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this passage Paul gives us an example of how we are to conduct ourselves as gospel ministers to the Lord’s people.

“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:” Being gentle is in contrast to being harsh, haughty, argumentative or destructive in our example and our preaching. A mother nursing or cherishing her children is an apt description of how a gospel minister should foster his relationship to the congregation to whom he labors and preaches.

“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 relationship a pastor has with his congregation should include a great affection for them and a willingness to impart unto them not only the gospel of Christ, but also his own soul to them as they should be very dear unto him.

“For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” Paul gave himself as an example to the elders of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:33-35: “I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Where needed a gospel minister should labor both in the word and with his hands both night and day. Moreover, the gospel minister should not charge anyone for preaching the gospel. This is not to say that a congregation has no obligation to help her pastor. 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 plainly teaches us that a congregation does have an obligation: “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

“Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:” Like Paul, gospel ministers should strive to live holy, just, and blameless lives as an example to the congregations they serve.