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"As a father does his own children."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:11

A STRONG PATERNALISTIC ELEMENT

The apostle Paul and his team developed a very strong paternalistic element in their ministry. This may be seen in the following text.

“As you know how we exhorted, and comforted,
and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.”

1 Thessalonians 2:11

1. “As you know”

a) Paul and his team made sure that what they did was well known.

b) Their motives, their movements, their behaviour were well known to all.

c) They lived a life that was transparent.

2. Ministry

a) Exhortation (encouragement)

b) Comfort (by coming alongside)

c) Charged (two aspects may be highlighted)

i) By bearing witness

ii) By way of admonition

3. “Every one of you”

a) Generally

b) Specifically

4. “As a father does his own children”

a) Imagery of a father was employed

b) This balances the idea of “a nursing mother” found in 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

c) “Children”

i) Three “children” of Paul may be highlighted as examples.

ii) Timothy, Titus, Onesimus

A GLIMPSE OF HOW PAUL MINISTERED

The above text offers another glimpse of how Paul functioned as a servant of God.

1. With obvious and deep affection.

2. With a deep personal relationship with individuals.

3. With much wisdom and devotion implied with the word “father”.