1 Thessalonians 2:8-12

They Witnessed Paul's Love and Behavior

Paul's love for them was so intense that he was ready to pour out his very life for them in the preaching of the gospel. One who preaches the gospel with the right motives has such a love for souls that he readily shares the gospel and even his life in the hope that others can see heaven. So, the apostle was willing to participate in tiresome, hard work, or labor and toil, while he was in Thessalonica. He did this during a part of the day and even the night so that he could earn his own way and in no way be a burden to them. He did not want anything to hinder the preaching of God's good news.

They had seen how he behaved. Of course, God knew both the behavior and its motivation. Paul and his companions had lived lives dedicated to God, directed by His will and absent of any cause for blame in His sight. The brethren would be the best witnesses of this because they had seen it with their own eyes. Unbelievers would have seen their manner of life also but might not so readily admit to such good behavior since they had not yielded to the purity of the gospel.

The preachers had a special interest in the development of each individual. So, they tried to persuade, or exhorted, them to follow God's way. Additionally, they used words of encouragement and issued serious instructions, or charges, to stay in the pathway of light. The various appeals, instructions and encouragements mentioned by Paul were meant to help members of the church live godly lives. God was thereby calling them into His one kingdom and the glory He has specially reserved for it in heaven (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Peter 1:27; Colossians 1:10). It should be noted that the call is ongoing and so is the walk, or life to be lived (1 Thessalonians 2:8-12).