Deeper Reflection
1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTERS 2 AND 3 GIVE US INSIGHT into Paul’s disciplemaking ministry and his pastoral heart. We can identify from verses 6 to 8 four key characteristics of Paul’s disciplemaking ministry. Being: Paul could have asserted his God-given apostolic authority to demand contributions from the Thessalonians (v.6; cf. 1 Cor 9:13-14), but he chose not to. Instead, he was “gentle” among them. This is serving out of the being – out of Christlike character. Paul’s gentleness was “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor 10:1). Caring: To the Thessalonians, Paul was “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (v.7). The expressions “nursing mother” – a woman breast-feeding children and “own children” point to a close relationship, a deep sense of ownership, commitment and responsibility, and “knowing best how to care”⁶⁹. It is caring for the well-being of a person in all aspects of life. Loving: The description with a double emphasis, “being affectionately desirous of you” and “you had become very dear to us” shows the depth and intensity of Paul’s love. It is really quite something for Paul to say this about himself. Leadership Mentor Edmund Chan says, “The measure of ministry is love.” This doubly emphasised love is manifested in Giving of “our own selves”, along with “the gospel” (v.8). Biblical love is “love and give oneself up”, as demonstrated by God Himself (Jn 3:16; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2, 25).

---

⁶⁹ Gary S. Shogren, 104