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Read the Bible

New Century Version

1 Thessalonians 2:8

Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Affections;   Gospel;   Love;   Minister, Christian;   Preaching;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Church;   Love;   Willingness;   Work, Religious;   Work-Workers, Religious;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Affections, the;   Children;   Gospel, the;   Ministers;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Gospel;   Soul;   Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Evangelize, Evangelism;   Gospel;   Soul;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Apostles;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Thessalonians, First Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Soul ;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Macedo'nia;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Affect;   Dear;   Impart;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
King James Version (1611)
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to haue imparted vnto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our owne soules, because ye were deare vnto vs.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
New American Standard Bible
in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
Legacy Standard Bible
In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become beloved to us.
Berean Standard Bible
We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
Contemporary English Version
We cared so much for you, and you became so dear to us, that we were willing to give our lives for you when we gave you God's message.
Complete Jewish Bible
We were so devoted to you that we were glad to share with you not only God's Good News but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
Darby Translation
Thus, yearning over you, we had found our delight in having imparted to you not only the glad tidings of God, but our own lives also, because ye had become beloved of us.
Easy-to-Read Version
We loved you very much, so we were happy to share God's Good News with you. But not only that—we were also happy to share even our own lives with you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Thus being affectioned toward you, our good will was to haue dealt vnto you, not the Gospel of God onely, but also our owne soules, because ye were deare vnto vs.
George Lamsa Translation
Likewise, we are affectionately desirous to give you, not only the gospel of God, but even our lives, because you were dear to us.
Good News Translation
Because of our love for you we were ready to share with you not only the Good News from God but even our own lives. You were so dear to us!
Lexham English Bible
Longing for you in this way, we determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you had become dear to us.
Literal Translation
So yearning over you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you have become beloved to us.
Amplified Bible
Having such a deep affection for you, we were delighted to share with you not only God's good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to us.
American Standard Version
even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.
Bible in Basic English
Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us.
Hebrew Names Version
Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.
International Standard Version
We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us.Romans 1:11; 15:29; 2 Corinthians 12:15;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
so also we loved, and were desirous to impart to you, not only the gospel of Aloha, but also our life, because we loved you.
Murdock Translation
8 so we also fondled [fn] , and were desirous to impart to you, not the gospel of God merely, but also our own soul, because ye were dear to us.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
So, beyng tenderly affected towarde you, our good wyll was to haue dealt vnto you, not the Gospell of God only: but also our owne soules, because ye were deare vnto vs.
English Revised Version
even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.
World English Bible
Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
So, loving you tenderly, we were ready to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls also, because ye were dear to us.
Weymouth's New Testament
Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because you had become very dear to us.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
so we desiringe you with greet loue, wolden haue bitake to you, not oneli the gospel of God, but also oure lyues, for ye ben maad most dereworthe to vs.
Update Bible Version
even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you became very dear to us.
Webster's Bible Translation
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us.
New English Translation
with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
New King James Version
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
New Living Translation
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
New Life Bible
We had such a strong desire to help you that we were happy to give you the Good News. Because we loved you so much, we were ready to give you our own lives also.
New Revised Standard
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus, yearning after you, we could have been well-pleased to impart unto you - not only the glad-message of God, but, our own lives also, - because, very dear to us, had ye become.
Douay-Rheims Bible
So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.
Revised Standard Version
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
so was oure affeccion towarde you oure good will was to have dealte vnto you not the gospell of God only: but also oure awne soules because ye were deare vnto vs.
Young's Literal Translation
so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
euen so had we hartely affeccion towarde you, and wolde with good wyl haue dealte vnto you, not onely the Gospell of God, but oure lyues also, because ye were deare vnto vs.
Mace New Testament (1729)
Our affection therefore to you being so great, we were as ready to give our lives for you, as we were to communicate the divine gospel to you, so much did you engage our love.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We showed you we loved you, not with words, but with action and commitment. We shared the good news with y'all, but we also told you the hardship of the narrow trail we've ridden.

Contextual Overview

7 even though as apostles of Christ we could have used our authority over you. But we were very gentle with you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us! 9 Brothers and sisters, I know you remember our hard work and difficulties. We worked night and day so we would not burden any of you while we preached God's Good News to you. 10 When we were with you, we lived in a holy and honest way, without fault. You know this is true, and so does God. 11 You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We encouraged you, we urged you, and we insisted that you live good lives for God, who calls you to his glorious kingdom.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

affectionately: Jeremiah 13:15-17, Romans 1:11, Romans 1:12, Romans 9:1-3, Romans 10:1, Romans 15:29, 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Galatians 4:19, Philippians 1:8, Philippians 2:25, Philippians 2:26, Colossians 1:28, Colossians 4:12, Hebrews 13:17

but: Acts 20:23, Acts 20:24, 2 Corinthians 12:15, Philippians 2:17, 1 John 3:16

dear: Luke 7:2, Philippians 2:20, *marg. Philippians 4:1, Colossians 1:7, Philemon 1:1

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:18 - Thou wilt surely wear away Lamentations 3:41 - with Acts 16:32 - they Romans 12:8 - giveth 2 Corinthians 7:3 - to die 2 Corinthians 8:3 - beyond 2 Corinthians 12:14 - for I Galatians 4:15 - if 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - even

Cross-References

Genesis 2:8
Then the Lord God planted a garden in the east, in a place called Eden, and put the man he had formed into it.
Genesis 2:9
The Lord God caused every beautiful tree and every tree that was good for food to grow out of the ground. In the middle of the garden, God put the tree that gives life and also the tree that gives the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:24
After God forced humans out of the garden, he placed angels and a sword of fire that flashed around in every direction on its eastern border. This kept people from getting to the tree of life.
Genesis 4:16
So Cain went away from the Lord and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Genesis 13:10
Lot looked all around and saw the whole Jordan Valley and that there was much water there. It was like the Lord 's garden, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
2 Kings 19:12
Did the gods of those people save them? My ancestors destroyed them, defeating the cities of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and the people of Eden living in Tel Assar.
Isaiah 51:3
So the Lord will comfort Jerusalem; he will show mercy to those who live in her ruins. He will change her deserts into a garden like Eden; he will make her empty lands like the garden of the Lord . People there will be very happy; they will give thanks and sing songs.
Ezekiel 27:23
"‘People of Haran, Canneh, Eden, and the traders of Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad became merchants for you.
Ezekiel 28:13
You had a wonderful life, as if you were in Eden, the garden of God. Every valuable gem was on you: ruby, topaz, and emerald, yellow quartz, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and chrysolite. Your jewelry was made of gold. It was prepared on the day you were created.
Ezekiel 31:16
I made the nations shake with fear at the sound of the tree falling when I brought it down to the place of the dead. It went to join those who have gone down to the grave. Then all the trees of Eden and the best trees of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were comforted in the place of the dead below the earth.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So being affectionately desirous of you,.... Not of theirs but them; not of glory from them, nor a maintenance by them, but of their spiritual and eternal welfare; were as fond of them as a nursing mother is of her children, who, when absent from them but ever so little a while, longs to see them; see 1 Thessalonians 2:17 and 1 Thessalonians 3:1,

we were willing: took the utmost pleasure, delight, and complacency:

to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only; the sincere milk of the word, which they did freely, fully, and for their spiritual good and profit, without any regard to any advantage of their own:

but also our own souls, or "lives"; which is the highest expression and strongest proof of love that can be given; and respect is still had to the similitude of the nursing mother, who may be said to impart her blood, for such it her milk diversified, for the nourishment of her children: and such was the great concern of the apostles for the interest of Christ, the spread of the Gospel, and the good of souls, that their lives were not dear unto them, so that these ends might he answered: because ye were dear unto us; both because they were loved by God, redeemed by Christ, regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and had the image of Christ stamped upon them; and also because that they were their spiritual children; and as children are dear to their parents, so were these to them, even to such a degree, as that, were there a necessity for it, they could freely have laid down their lives for them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

So, being affectionately desirous of you - The word here rendered “being affectionately desirous” - ὁμειρομενοι homeiromenoi - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means to “long after, to have a strong affection for.” The sense here is, that Paul was so strongly attached to them that he would have been willing to lay down his life for them.

We were willing to have imparted unto you - To have given or communicated; Romans 1:11.

Not the gospel of God only - To be willing to communicate the knowledge of the gospel was in itself a strong proof of love, even if it were attended with no self-denial or hazard in doing it. We evince a decided love for a man when we tell him of the way of salvation, and urge him to accept of it. We show strong interest for one who is in danger, when we tell him of a way of escape, or for one who is sick, when we tell him of a medicine that will restore him; but we manifest a much higher love when we tell a lost and ruined sinner of the way in which he may be saved. There is no method in which we can show so strong an interest in our fellow-men, and so much true benevolence for them, as to go to them and tell them of the way by which they may be rescued from everlasting ruin.

But also our own souls - Or rather “lives” - ψυχὰς psuchas; Matthew 6:25; Matthew 20:28; Luke 12:22, Luke 12:13; Mark 3:4. This does not mean that the apostle was willing to be damned, or to lose his soul in order to save them, but that if it had been necessary he would have been ready to lay down his life; see 1 John 3:16. “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren;” compare notes, John 15:13. His object seems to be to assure them that he did not leave them from any want of love to them, or from the fear of being put to death. It was done from the strong conviction of duty. He appears to have left them because he could not longer remain without exposing others to danger, and without the certainty that there would be continued disturbances; see Acts 17:9-10.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. Being affectionately desirous of you — We had such intense love for you that we were not only willing and forward to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to you, but also to give our own lives for your sake, because ye were dear, διοτι αγαπητοι ἡμιν, because ye were beloved by us. The words used here by the apostle are expressive of the strongest affection and attachment.


 
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