1 Thessalonians 2:7 – Little Ones in Your Midst

7 But we became gentle in your midst, as a nurse should be cherishing her own children.

The “but” forms a sharp contrast with what precedes. As apostles of Christ, Paul and his coworkers could have been a burden, but instead they became “little ones in your midst.” Nēpioi denotes little ones, young children. Instead of making themselves important and seeking glory from men, they made themselves small. No position of weight above the Thessalonians, but a place in their midst.

Paul then changes the image. They were like a “nurse” cherishing her own children. A nurse does not expect the children to care for her; she cares for them. That is precisely the opposite of being a burden. Cherishing speaks of warmth and care; we find the same word in Ephesians 5:29.

And Paul does not merely speak of children, but of “her own children.” This makes the image deeply personal. The Thessalonians were not an audience from whom he wanted to receive something. They had become dear to him, and therefore he wanted to give to them. How far that went is stated in the following verse: they wanted to share with them not only the evangel of God, but even their own souls. Whoever truly cherishes does not merely pass on a message, but gives himself.

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