1 Thessalonians 2:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having said, “and we implored,” he mentioned fathers, thereby showing that, although “we implored,” we did not use compulsion, but acted as fathers. “We implored,” he said. About what? About enduring all things. “And comforted and testified.” “We implored”; therefore the Apostles did not seek glory. And “we testified”; therefore they did not flatter. See again how the Apostle, while narrating what had previously happened, both teaches and persuades. If God has called us into the Kingdom, then we must endure all things. We ask not that you give us anything, but that you receive the Kingdom of Heaven.

They begged them to endure all things courageously. Therefore, he says, I did not seek glory. Above, the Apostle likened himself to a nurse. Now he likens himself to a father, showing his love, authority, and simplicity. For what father bears himself proudly before his children? To implore, in the Slavonic text “to testify,” is already a sign of very strict instruction. Therefore, he says, I did not flatter. After saying, “as a father,” he added the word “implored,” or “testifying.” For, he says, not harshly, but as fathers, we testified that you should walk worthily of God. See how, while narrating what had happened before, he both teaches and persuades. If God calls us into the Kingdom, then we must endure all things.

We implored you during instruction and comforted you during the persecution against you, testifying that you should walk worthily of God from the time of your election. By your worthy conduct you can again be counted worthy of the glory you lost, and of the paradise from which you were cast out.

He used these three expressions very aptly: “imploring, comforting, testifying.” For one must not only give consolation to the fainthearted, but also frighten those who live carelessly by reminding them of the threatening calamities. This is what I did, says the Apostle, exhorting you to choose a life worthy of God, who has called you and promised you the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Imploring and comforting you, and testifying to you to walk worthily of God.” One must not only give consolation to the fainthearted, but also frighten those who live carelessly by reminding them of the threatening calamities, as Theodoret says.

The Apostle’s manner of action among the Thessalonians was as fearless and direct as it was gentle and quiet. “After we had suffered before and were shamefully treated at Philippi,” the Apostle writes, “we were bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God amid great conflict. We never used words of flattery before you, nor a pretext for gain. We might have appeared with weight as Apostles of Christ, but we were gentle among you, as a nurse tenderly cares for her own children. Working night and day so that we might not burden any of you, we exhorted and encouraged and charged each one of you, as a father does his own children, to walk worthily of God” (1 Thess 2:2, 5, 7, 9, 11–12).

Portraying the many different methods of his apostolic guidance, the Apostle says that, like a father, he used various means and ways to influence the Thessalonians according to the difference in their dispositions. He entreated some, implored others, and persuaded still others.

All this was after their initial conversion, when he was guiding them as Christians to walk worthily of their calling. In this way they would attain the fullness of abiding in the Kingdom of God and receive eternal glory. The Thessalonians received this even by the fact that their faith and piety were glorified throughout the whole Christian world, and also in the Kingdom of Christ’s glory.

After this refutation of the accusations brought against him, the Apostle briefly portrays his activity in Thessalonica. He calls as witnesses the Thessalonians, eyewitnesses of his actions, and God, Who knows every disposition of his heart.

The Apostle’s conduct toward them, the Thessalonians, was fully worthy of his high ministry. Even though, having their trust (ΰμΐν τοΐς πιστεύουσίν), he could have dealt with them however he wished. As they know, the Apostle acted toward them as a good father and taught them only what was good.

If one chiefly considers the persons toward whom all these actions of speech are directed, then they must be understood as different methods of speech aimed at ordering the life of the Thessalonians. The Apostle wishes, as it were, to say, “We exhausted every means of persuasion to dispose you to walk worthily of God.”