1 Thessalonians 2:11
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
ye know
G1492
οἴδατε
ye know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 16
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
3 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
πατὴρ
a father
G3962
πατὴρ
a father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 16
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἑαυτοῦ
doth his
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
doth his
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
10 of 16
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
παρακαλοῦντες
we exhorted
G3870
παρακαλοῦντες
we exhorted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
11 of 16
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παραμυθούμενοι
comforted
G3888
παραμυθούμενοι
comforted
Strong's:
G3888
Word #:
14 of 16
to relate near, i.e., (by implication) encourage, console
Cross References
Hebrews 13:22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.1 Timothy 5:21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.2 Thessalonians 3:12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.1 Chronicles 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.1 Thessalonians 5:11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.1 Thessalonians 2:7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:Deuteronomy 3:28But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.Acts 20:2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,Psalms 34:11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Historical Context
In Greco-Roman culture, fathers bore primary responsibility for children's moral and civic education, training them in virtue, citizenship, and practical skills. Paul adopts this imagery but transforms it through gospel: spiritual fathers reproduce faith (1 Cor 4:15), not merely behavior; they train children to walk worthy of God (v. 12), not merely succeed socially. The combination of motherly tenderness (v. 7) and fatherly instruction (v. 11) presents holistic spiritual parenting that nurtures the whole person—emotionally, intellectually, and volitionally.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance the threefold ministry pattern of exhortation, comfort, and solemn charge without overemphasizing one at the expense of others?
- What evidence demonstrates that your spiritual influence is individualized ('every one of you') rather than merely generic or corporate?
- How does combining maternal tenderness with paternal instruction provide a complete model for spiritual mentorship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children—the metaphor shifts from nursing mother (v. 7) to instructing father, revealing ministry's comprehensive nature. Parakaloumen kai paramythoumenoi kai martyromenoi (παρακαλοῦμεν καὶ παραμυθούμενοι καὶ μαρτυρόμενοι) describes threefold ministry: parakaloun (exhort/encourage) combines urgency with compassion; paramytheomai (comfort/console) offers tender sympathy; martyromai (charge/testify solemnly) indicates serious admonition. True pastoral care requires all three: encouragement without challenge produces weakness; challenge without comfort produces discouragement; both without solemn charge lack gravity.
Every one of you (hena hekaston hymōn, ἕνα ἕκαστον ὑμῶν)—Paul's ministry was individually personalized, not merely corporate preaching. Like a father with each unique child, he adapted approach to person. Hōs patēr tekna heautou (ὡς πατὴρ τέκνα ἑαυτοῦ, 'as a father his own children') indicates the proprietary love and responsibility fathers feel. Spiritual fatherhood combines maternal tenderness (v. 7) with paternal instruction—nurture plus discipline, comfort plus challenge, affection plus authority.