As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

1 THESSALONIANS 2:11KJV
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1 Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:11 mean?

1 Thessalonians 2:11 describes how Paul and his companions treated the believers in Thessalonica. They gave attention to each person, urging, reassuring, and solemnly appealing to them with the concern a father would have for his children.

Paul says the readers already know how he and his companions behaved among them. The father-and-children picture follows the image of a nursing mother in verse 7. Both images help describe the close relationship Paul recalls.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 2:11

  • “exhorted” — παρακαλέω (parakaleō): The word can carry the sense of urging or encouraging someone. Here, the appeal is directed to each member of the group, not just to the group as a whole.
  • “comforted” — παραμυθέομαι (paramytheomai): The word can mean speaking to someone in a reassuring or consoling way. It adds a gentle note alongside the urging.
  • “charged” — μαρτύρομαι (martyromai): The word can mean making a solemn appeal. The KJV’s “charged” suggests a serious request, rather than an accusation.

Why 1 Thessalonians 2:11 matters

  • Paul’s account points to personal attention. His phrase “every one of you” presents his care as something individuals experienced, not merely something they heard about.
  • The sentence continues into verse 12, where Paul gives the purpose of these appeals: that they would live in a way worthy of God. Verse 11 describes how the appeal was given; verse 12 tells what it concerned.
  • Paul’s comparison draws on a familiar family relationship. “As a father doth his children” presents his words as the concern of someone responsible for the people he addresses.

Where else these words appear

“comforted” Greek G3888 · used in 4 verses

  • John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
  • John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

“As” Greek G2509 · used in 13 verses

  • Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
  • 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

“charged” Greek G3140 · used in 75 verses

  • Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
  • John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

“every” Greek G1538 · used in 78 verses

  • Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
  • Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.