1 Thessalonians 2:11

“as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as. father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying”

“Dealt with each one of you”: Which infers that these three preachers had not merely taught publicly, but also privately (Acts 5:42; Acts 20:20). Can you imagine what. one-on-one Bible class with the Apostle Paul must have been like? This infers that this band of preachers were probably with the Thessalonians more than the three Sabbath days (three weeks) mentioned in Acts 17:2. “As. father with his own children”: This impression denotes the responsibility that these men felt toward those they had brought to Christ. The feeling that Christians, even new Christians need not only tender care (1 Thessalonians 2:7), but also that form of tough, but loving discipline given by. father. “Paul did not have the Thessalonians addressing him as ‘Father Paul', in the fashion of the Roman Catholic clergy (Matthew 23:9)” (Fields p. 63). “Exhorting”: This and the other two words reveal what Paul said to people both publicly and privately. Some of the brethren needed to be exhorted. Maybe those who found it difficult to live the Christian life, especially in face of the opposition. Paul practiced what he preached (1 Thessalonians 5:14). “Encouraging”: “Testifying”: “Has the sense of making. solemn and emphatic affirmation or demand” (Marshall p. 74). See Acts 20:26; Galatians 5:3. “It may refer to serious words addressed to slackers or the like” (Morris p. 84). 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:14; 1 Timothy 5:21.