Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 2:11
For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, defending his conduct among them against those who question his motives. This sits between his claim of blameless behavior (v. 10) and his description of exhortation and comfort (v. 12).
The words — πατὴρ (patēr, "a father") anchors the comparison; it is not "parent" or "guardian" but specifically the male head who raises, disciplines, and provides. ἕκαστον (hekaston, "each one") marks that the fatherly treatment was applied individually, not as a blanket to the group.
The thread — The same fatherly register appears in 1 Corinthians 4:14 ("my beloved children") and 2 Thessalonians 3:12 ("we command and urge"), where Paul pairs tenderness with firmness. Hebrews 13:22's "word of exhortation" echoes the function Paul describes in the surrounding verses here.
Why it lands — The verse sets a measurable standard: spiritual care is not generic instruction but individualized attention that includes both comfort and correction. A reader is invited to ask whether their own community—on either side of the pulpit—operates at that level of personal regard.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- Hebrews 13:22 I urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:12 We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
- 1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
- 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
- Deuteronomy 3:28 But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
- Genesis 50:16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,