So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.
- BSB We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
- NKJV So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
- NASB in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
- NLT We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul loved them so much he shared not only the gospel but his very life. True ministry gives itself away, not just its message.
Overview
His affection was so deep that he gladly imparted both the gospel and his "own souls"—his whole self—to them. The Thessalonians had become dear to him, so love compelled sacrificial investment. This models the incarnational pattern of love that does not merely deliver truth but pours out the life of the one who brings it, as Christ did.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- 1 Jn 3:16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
- 2 Cor 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
- Phil 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- Rom 1:11–12For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
- Phil 4:1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
- Heb 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- Gal 4:19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
- 2 Cor 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
- Phil 2:25–26Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
- Phil 2:20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
- Phlm 1:1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
- Col 1:28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
- Col 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
- Jer 13:15–17Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
- Rom 9:1–3I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
- Rom 10:1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
- Rom 15:29And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
- Col 1:7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
- 2 Cor 6:11–13O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
- Luke 7:2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
- Phil 1:8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
- Acts 20:23–24Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
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Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 2:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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