For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
Paul, after likening his (and his team’s) approach to serving the Church to that of a nurturing, nursing mother, then turns to describe his approach as that of a father. In these two short verses, Paul sheds light on the role of a father, points to his motivation for serving as a father, calls the Church to live intentionally, and points toward the role of the Church body as family.* Let’s look at each:
Role of a father: In this verse, Paul describes the role of the father as one who commands and comforts.* The three Greek words that Paul uses imply that fathers serve through acts of appealing, exhorting, requesting, and imploring as well as encouraging, comforting, cheering up, and consoling.*
Motivation for serving as a father: “in order that you may lead a life worthy of God.”* What does this mean? How does one live a life worthy of God? Does this mean we need to earn the love or attention of the Father? Why would Paul father the Church toward a life worthy of God?
Intentional living: to live a life worthy of God means to intentionally act, speak, and think in a way that reflects the greatest goal of believers: to live submitted to God and to share in His divine glory.* Our attempts to live a life worthy of God is not an effort to earn, but it is a response to the amazing grace that He has given us (which we could never earn).* Paul wants this lifestyle and posture for the Church.
Role of the Church body as family: Paul has demonstrated that within the body of Christ, each of us can receive the familial needs that reside within each us (needs for mothering and fathering).* When those needs are not met in our families of origin, the family of God can fill that gap.*
These two verses invite reflection: What has been your experience of fathering? Was what you experienced encouragement, comfort, and a call to greater living? Did the fathering you experienced growing up point you toward responding appropriately to the extravagant gift of grace from God (Jesus Christ)?
If not, God wants us to know that good examples of the Father’s heart exist within the body of Christ. Our experiences with others don’t always reflect the heart of God for us, but sometimes they do.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to receive Him as Good Father. Perhaps today God wants you to receive the family of God as family. Maybe today God wants you to reflect His heart to those around you. Perhaps today there is something inside of you that God wants to heal.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 67–68). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 107–109). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 135–138). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 227–231). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 61–62). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 74–76). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 155–158). Baker Academic.