Nursing Babies

1 Thessalonians 2-Part 3
But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having fond affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.   1 Thess. 2:7-8 NAS


LET IT GLOW

Verse 8 of The New Living Translation says, "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too."

Paul and his companions worked hard to support themselves financially while in Thessalonica. They did not want to be a burden to the people. Paul's trade was tentmaking, which he more than likely used. God's Good News which was shared would have been salvation through Jesus as Savior. I can hear the love of God radiating through Paul as He writes this letter to these baby Christians, which he helped birth into the family of God.

LET IT GROW

Nursing a newborn baby is a special time for the two. The mother gives not only her milk from her body, but her time and herself. Her focus is on the baby, taking care of it, feeding it, providing nurishment for it to live and grow. It's one of those tender moments in life, a bonding occurs for both involved. A love develops and grows between mother and child as she  holds and feeds the infant, gently speaking to it. I cherish those memories.

How does this relate to today's scripture?
Probably Paul was saying "we came like infants." He and the missionary team claimed no more prestige than mere infants.

KJV says verse 7 this way, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."
The Greek word for nurse is trophos, which comes from a root word meaning to feed, nourish, support, and provide with food. It can also refer to a mother. The word cherisheth means to take warm and tender care of. Paul paints the picture of a mother tenderly caring for all the needs of her own children. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Do I act as a spiritual mother to baby Christians? Do I tenderly feed them the Word of God? Do I gently support them? Do I speak gently to them as to an infant?


LET IT GO

Love those baby Christians. Treat them tenderly and gently with the Word of God. Help them grow in obedience and faith.