Paul Set the Tone

In 1 Thess. 2:7. Paul says, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”

Then, in vs. 10. Paul also writes, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.”

Paul didn’t simply get people saved and teach them doctrines and establish churches. Paul was also a model in terms of HOW we fellowship. He says we were gentle among you. He was never harsh. He was never rude or abrasive. He was tender. He was gentle. He was so loving he was like a mother cherishing a newborn.

Do you know what cherish means? Cherish is to treat someone with tenderness and love, to give warmth, to provide comfort, to hold dear, and get this – to treat someone in a manner that encourages growth. When Paul cherished those people, he gently nursed them with love to build them up in the faith.

In fact, Paul loved them so much he was willing to give them his own soul. That is extraordinary love. That is supreme love. And in all that love, Paul made us all SEE what is the fellowship of the mystery (Eph. 3:9). He showed us all HOW to fellowship with tenderness and genuine love for everyone.

Man, that’s my kind of apostle. I can get behind a guy like that. That’s what I want to be when I grow up.

The depths of love we see in Paul is a model to us all of what OUR grace churches should be like.

Paul set the tone. We also have a responsibility to set the tone, to foster an atmosphere of love and grace with everyone.