In today’s world, it is not typical for sons to follow in the occupations of their fathers. Throughout most of human history, however, virtually all sons followed in the steps of their fathers. In that world, fatherhood involved training your sons to enter into your work. Along these lines, Paul writes to the Thessalonians that he ministered to them “like a father with his children” (v. 11). A father obligates himself to prepare his sons for life in the world, and likewise Paul sought to raise his converts to maturity in faith and godliness.

Together with verse 7, in which Paul compared himself to “a nursing mother taking care of her own children,” verse 11 provides a balanced parental picture of spiritual leadership. As Paul continues to defend his ministry from the accusations of those who opposed the gospel, he not only sets a standard for pastors and other spiritual leaders today, but also tells us how any of us can be used by God to make a decisive difference in the lives of other believers.

As Paul exhorts his spiritual children in Thessalonica, his motto for the family of believers might be “Worthy of the Calling.” This was the theme, at least, to which Paul directed his fatherly leadership: “walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (v. 12). As other fathers trained their sons to follow in the work of blacksmiths, farmers, or soldiers, Paul was training his spiritual sons and daughters to consecrate their lives in service to God and Christ’s kingdom.

According to Paul, these believers should think of themselves as those call by God “into his own kingdom and glory” (v. 12). They were saved not because they had sought God but because God had sought and called them to Himself. Salvation results from God’s sovereign summons, which, in tandem with the ministry of His Word, brings about the new birth and saving faith. These Christians had been born again to faith in Christ, and now they were to live as those who had been called by God to enter into His kingdom and glory.

When Paul speaks of “walking” in a worthy manner, he refers to the lifestyle that believers are to embrace. We may understand this from a secular example. When a solder is called into an elite special-forces unit, he is expected to display a standard of valor, fitness, and skill that is a cut above that of the average fighter. Likewise, when a sinner has been called into salvation through Jesus Christ, entering God’s kingdom and becoming an heir of glory, he or she is obligated to leave behind former ways of sin and embrace a new life of practical godliness and service to the Lord.

Are you pursuing a walk that is worthy of your calling? Or are you living a life of halfhearted obedience to God’s Word? Do you sincerely trust in Jesus Christ, yet are portions of your life governed by the world’s rules instead of His? While giving your worship to Jesus, are you withholding your time, your money, or some sinful habit from Him? According to Paul, this is no way for a Christian to live. Nor should you think that Christ will settle for a lukewarm devotion and halfhearted service. For a Christian to be worldly is to walk in a manner unworthy of his or her calling. Since Paul insists that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6), you should expect Him to intervene in your life so as to motivate you to embrace the high calling that you have received.

Paul had a clear idea of what he was aiming to see in the new believers’ lives. He also knew that in order to serve as a good spiritual father, he must first set a worthy example for his children. He thus reminded the Thessalonians of their personal experience in watching how Paul lived. Not only should they realize that the slanderous accusations against the apostle were false, but they should also notice his example in order to imitate his lifestyle of faith.

First, Paul set an example of hard work: “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you” (v. 9). The apostle was careful not to give the impression that the purpose of his ministry was to enrich himself; rather, his motive was to bring salvation to his hearers. He therefore refused financial support from the new believers. Paul received financial aid from other, more established churches, but he also engaged in manual labor to support his needs.

Second, Paul set an example in faithfully witnessing the gospel: “while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (v. 9). Paul was a herald called to preach the gospel. It was not a message concerning which he had liberty to innovate or modify doctrines on his own, but rather he preached the “gospel of God,” a message fixed by God’s revelation.

Third, Paul set a clear example of personal holiness before his spiritual children: “You are witnesses, and God also, of how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers” (v. 10). By emphasizing “you believers,” Paul suggests that while the world might be slandering him, the believers knew the truth about Paul’s life. Paul knew that the new believers greatest need was his personal holiness. The same is true of every spiritual leader, whether a pastor, a father, or anyone else who desires his or her example to promote the spiritual well-being of other believers.

In addition to setting a godly example for his spiritual children through his labor, his witness, and his godliness, Paul also faithfully ministered to them: “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” (v. 12). Paul describes his ministry in three ways, the first of which focuses on exhortation: “We exhorted each one of you.” This means that Paul set before his people the clear biblical expectations for a believer. Later in this letter, Paul will give some pointed exhortations, commanding the Thessalonians to pursue sexual purity, brotherly love, and a quiet, useful life (1 Thess. 4:3-12).

Second, Paul ministered encouragement to the Thessalonians: “We…encourage you” (v. 12). Paul indicates that he engaged in extensive personal ministry to each of the believers in Thessalonica, saying that he exhorted and encouraged “each one of you.” We must also give personal attention to those who are discouraged or weak. We encourage one another by recalling God’s promises of salvation for all who trust in Jesus. One encouraging promise was spoken by Jesus in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Every Christian – not just those who are spiritual fathers – is called to encourage his or her brothers and sisters. This requires us to come alongside others with words and actions that will strengthen them in Christ. Encouragement may mean bearing the load for them; it may mean prayer, companionship, or sharing our conviction that God is faithful based on our experience of His loving care.

Third, Paul entreated the believers to press on in faith and godliness: “We…charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (v. 12). The idea here is bearing testimony so as to motivate those who may be growing weary in their lives of faith. Here the caring heart of a father comes alongside a child and reminds him that all his labors will be worthwhile in the end, that the cause is noble and true that the power to persevere will be given in answer to the prayer of faith. Paul would provide this ministry to his closest spiritual son, Timothy, in his final letter (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Just as Paul counseled Timothy, our spiritual encouragement in Christ is intended to keep us going on the path of faith, godliness, and Christian service.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 Study Questions:

In his dealings with the Thessalonians, Paul could afford to be gentle, caring and loving. He wasn’t secretly out to gain anything from them; he simply and genuinely wanted the love of God to embrace them, and as he worked among them, he found that his own love was drawn to them as well. In what specific and concrete ways mentioned in verses 9-12 did Paul and his companions minister to or disciple the Thessalonians?

The central thing that Paul wants the Thessalonains to do (v. 12) is, literally, to “walk worthy of God.” The word walk is a regular Pauline word for “behavior,” following the standard use of the equivalent Hebrew word. Behavior is seen as a matter of putting one foot in front of the another; good behavior is taking care of the direction and placing of those feet. How does the example and ministry of Paul, Silvanus and Timothy help to encourage the Thessalonians to behave “in the manner worthy of the God” who calls them?