1 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 11

1 Thessalonians 2:11

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
1 Thessalonians 2:11, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:11 in other translations

BSBFor you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
WEBAs you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,
ASVas ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,
YLTeven as ye have known, how each one of you, as a father his own children, we are exhorting you, and comforting, and testifying,
DARBYas ye know how, as a father his own children, we used to exhort each one of you, and comfort and testify,
BBEEven as you saw how, like a father with his children, we were teaching and comforting you all, and giving witness,
WebsterAs ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. exhorted and comforted--Exhortation leads one to do a thing willingly; consolation, to do it joyfully [Bengel], (1Th 5:14). Even in the former term, "exhorted," the Greek includes the additional idea of comforting and advocating one's cause: "encouragingly exhorted." Appropriate in this case, as the Thessalonians were in sorrow, both through persecutions, and also through deaths of friends (1Th 4:13). charged--"conjured solemnly," literally, "testifying"; appealing solemnly to you before God. every one of you--in private (Ac 20:20), as well as publicly. The minister, if he would be useful, must not deal merely in generalities, but must individualize and particularize. as a father--with mild gravity. The Greek is, "his own children."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. How we exhorted. That is, to a holy life.

And comforted. In the times of affliction.

And charged. Gr., testified. The word testify is used here in the sense of protesting, or making an earnest and solemn appeal. They came as witnesses from God of the truth of religion, and of the importance of living in a holy manner. They did not originate the gospel themselves, or teach its duties and doctrines as their own, but they came in the capacity of those who bore witness of what God had revealed and required, and they did this in the earnest and solemn manner-which became such an office.

As a father doth his children. With an interest in your welfare, such as a father feels for his children, and with such a method as a father would use. It was not done in a harsh, dictatorial, and arbitrary manner, but in tenderness and love.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 How we exhorted - What pastoral care is marked here! They exhorted - were continually teaching and instructing, the objects of their charge; this was their general work. And comforted - They found many under trials and temptations, and those they encouraged. And charged - Μαρτυρουμενοι· Continued witness to the people that all the threatenings and promises of God were true; that he required faith, love, and obedience; that he could not behold sin with allowance; that Jesus died to save them from their sins; and that, without holiness, none should see God. And all these things they did, not in a general way only, but they spoke to every man; none was left unnoticed, unadmonished, uncomforted. The spirit in which they performed all these branches of the pastoral care was that which was most likely to insure success; as a father treats his children, so they treated every member of the Church.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. Our great gospel privilege is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 →

1 Thessalonians 2:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καθάπερkathaperjust asG2509
οἴδατε,oidateyou know
ὡςhōshowG5613
ἕναhenaoneG1520
ἕκαστονhekastoneachG1538
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ὡςhōsasG5613
πατὴρpatēra fatherG3962
τέκναteknachildrenG5043
ἑαυτοῦhe'autouof himselfG1438

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 2:11

  • 1 Corinthians 4:14-15

    I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

  • Hebrews 13:22

    And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

  • 1 Timothy 5:21

    I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

  • 2 Timothy 4:1-2

    I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:12

    Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:20

    And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:7

    But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

  • Deuteronomy 3:28

    But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

  • Proverbs 5:1-2

    My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

  • Proverbs 1:10

    My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

  • 1 Timothy 6:13

    I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
have.
4:1; 5:11; Ac 20:2; 2Th 3:12; 1Ti 6:2; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 2:6,9,15
Heb 13:22
charged.
Nu 27:19; De 3:28; 31:14; Eph 4:17; 1Ti 5:7,21; 6:13,17; 2Ti 4:1
as.
Ge 50:16,17; 1Ch 22:11-13; 28:9,20; Ps 34:11; Pr 1:10,15; 2:1; 3:1
Pr 4:1-12; 5:1,2; 6:1; 7:1,24; 31:1-9; 1Co 4:14,15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10

    Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:11

    As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:12

    That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así como sabéis de qué modo exhortábamos y consolábamos á cada uno de vosotros, como el padre á sus hijos,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ainsi que vous savez comment nous avons exhorté chacun de vous, comme un père ses propres enfants,
German
Elberfelder 1871		gleichwie ihr wisset, wie wir jeden einzelnen von euch, wie ein Vater seine eigenen Kinder, euch ermahnt und getröstet
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		sicut scitis, qualiter unumquemque vestrum (sicut pater filios suos)