1Thessalonians 2:7-9

BUT WE PROVED TO BE GENTLE AMONG YOU, AS A NURSING MOTHER TENDERLY CARES FOR HER OWN CHILDREN: alla egenethemen (1PAPI) nepioi en meso humon. os ean trophos thalpe (3SPAS) ta heautes tekna: (Genesis 33:13,14; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:14-16; Matthew 11:29,30; John 21:15-17; 1 Corinthians 2:3; 9:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 13:4; Galatians 5:22,23; 2 Timothy 2:24,25; James 3:17)(11; Numbers 11:12; Isaiah 49:23; 66:13; Acts 13:18)

Young's Literal - But we became gentle in your midst, as a nurse may cherish her own children,

Without going into a lengthy explanation, it should be noted that this text is what is referred to as a "first class textual problem". The Nestle-Aland is normally favored for accuracy but in this case it has the word nepios which means babe while the Textus Receptus has epios meaning gentle. Most authorities favor the most accurate interpretation as gentle and even the NAS translates it "gentle" even though the corresponding Nestle-Aland text (which is the source of the NAS translation) has the word for babe! If you would like a more technical explanation see (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)

But (alla) introduces a strong contrast...Instead of using apostolic authority, they used only the most kind and gentle methods to win them and to promote their peace and order.

CONTRAST Three Negative Characteristics Three Positive Qualities (2:5; 2:6 vs 2:7; 2:8)
Flattering speech	Gentle...tenderly cares
Pretext for greed	Fond affection
Seek glory from men	Our own lives...very dear

Proved (1096) (ginomai) means to come into existence. And so literally "we became gentle in your midst".

Gentle (2261) (epios) means placid, gentle, mild, easy, compliant (like a nursing mother). In fact epios was frequently used by Greek writers as characterizing a nurse with trying children or a teacher with refractory scholars, or of parents toward their children. We find epios in a secular Greek writing which describes "a day favorable (epios) for beginning a thing". Epios was used to describe medicines as soothing or assuaging.

Hiebert comments that...

The missionaries had held the position of a gentle teacher surrounded by his eager students. Far from ascending a lofty pinnacle and speaking down to their followers, the missionaries freely mingled with them. The assertion concerning their gentle behavior is immediately followed by a figurative statement, "like a mother caring for her little children." This (metaphor)... forms a beautiful and appropriate amplification if the reading was gentle. When the Thessalonians accepted the gospel they were indeed like children who were in need of the tender, loving care the missionaries provided. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)

Among (1722) (mesos) more literally, in the midst of you, which implies more intimate intercourse than among you.

As a nursing mother - Introduces a simile (see terms of comparison simile) which is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind frequently using the words like or as (e.g. he was as brave as a lion).

McGee writes that Paul states he was...

“a nursing mother,” like a mother bird. This is Paul’s positive expression of his relationship to the Thessalonians: “I’ve been a nursing mother, a mother bird to you.” Oh, the gentleness of Paul! He was as tender as a woman in his dealings with the church at Thessalonica. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Wiersbe observes that...

As an apostle, Paul was a man of authority; but he always used his authority in love. The babes in Christ sensed his tender loving care as he nurtured them. He was indeed like a loving mother who cared for her children. It takes time and energy to care for children. Paul did not turn his converts over to baby-sitters; he made sacrifices and cared for them himself. He did not tell them to “read a book” as a substitute for his own personal ministry ...A nursing mother imparts her own life to the child. This is exactly what Paul wrote in 1Thessalonians 2:8. You cannot be a nursing mother and turn your baby over to someone else. That baby must be in your arms, next to your heart. The nursing mother eats the food and transforms it into milk for the baby. The mature Christian feeds on the Word of God and then shares its nourishment with the younger believers so they can grow (see notes 1 Peter 2:1; 2:2; 2:3). A nursing child can become ill through reaction to something the mother has eaten. The Christian who is feeding others must be careful not to feed on the wrong things himself... if we do not nurse the new Christians on the milk of the Word, they can never mature to appreciate the meat of the Word (see notes Heb 5:11; 12; 13; 14). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

Nursing mother (5162) (trophos from trepho = to nourish, feed, nurture) is one who nourishes, feeds and rears up a child. A nourisher, feeder, rearer. This word means any woman who breast-feeds (nurses) a baby. It could therefore refer also to what used to be called a wet nurse. A wet nurse in the ancient world not only had strict contractual stipulation, but often came to be a very trusted person whose influence lasted a lifetime. Even secular philosophers in Paul's day used the nurse metaphor to suggest how one ought to care for those being taught.

Criswell writes that...

Paul uses the imagery of the nursery at feeding time. Paul didn't feed on them; he fed them. The Greek word trophos (meaning "nursing mother") is a tender and vivid picture of Paul's heart for the church. It should move the Thessalonians to hold him in high regard so that his influence might continue throughout the lifetime of his spiritual children. The word "cherishes" further emphasizes the nursing mother's activity as well as her attitude. (Criswell, W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson)

Paul used the maternal metaphor in writing to the Galatians...

My children with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. (Galatians 4:19)

Later in Thessalonians Paul uses a related metaphor writing...

While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (see note 1Thessalonians 5:3)

MacArthur notes that...

As the phrase her own children indicates, Paul was no paid surrogate mother or modern-style, hired day care worker. The apostle exhibited the same feelings as a nursing mother when he cared for the Thessalonians’ spiritual needs. This picture is usually foreign to all leaders outside the true church of Jesus Christ. In fact, for most, it would appear to be sentimental, weak, and unproductive. The standard for worldly leadership is to accomplish the leader’s desires through people. In the church, pastors have the privilege of seeing things God desires done in people. That changes the dynamic. As good parents are concerned about their children’s hearts, so are good pastors. The preceding metaphors make that clear. (MacArthur, John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press or Logos)

Tenderly cares (2282)(thalpo) primarily means to heat, to soften by heat, then, to keep warm, as of birds covering their young with their feathers. Josephus, Ant. 7, 343 uses thalpo in his description of a young woman who provided warmth for King David.

In the present use the picture is of loving mother who would take her infant in her arms to warm the child with her own body heat. This vivid picture illustrates the kind of personal care the Thessalonians received from Paul.

Metaphorically thalpo means to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care.

Thalpo is used one other time in the NT by Paul in Ephesians 5 describing Christ and the Church...

for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes (thalpo) it, just as Christ also does the church (See note Ephesians 5:29) (Comment: Husbands are to provide a secure, warm place for their wives. The Septuagint (LXX) usages of thalpo suggest that men are to provide their wives with a nest, which pictures a place of a security, a place of warmth, and a place of nourishment.)

There are 5 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut. 22:6; 1 Ki. 1:2, 4; Job 39:14) with a picturesque uses in...

Deuteronomy 22:6 If you happen to come upon a bird's nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting (thalpo - brooding) on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

Job 39:14 For she abandons her eggs to the earth, and warms (thalpo) them in the dust

Here in 1Thessalonians thalpo clearly refers to the care of the saints at Thessalonica by Paul and his associates, as of a nurse for her children. Paul uses the imagery of the nursery at feeding time. Paul is drawing a vivid contrast saying that he did not feed on them but instead he himself fed them.

Children (5043)(teknon from tíkto = bring forth, bear children, be born is a child as viewed in relation to his parents or family. This word takes on special theological significance when the Bible calls believers the children of God. NT pupils or disciples are called children of their teachers, because the latter by their instruction nourish the minds of their pupils and mould their characters