King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship, how we worked night and day not to put a burden on any of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you.
Berean Standard Bible:
Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
American Standard Version:
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For{G1063} ye remember{G3421}, brethren{G80}, our{G2257} labour{G2873} and{G2532} travail{G3449}: for{G1063} labouring{G2038} night{G3571} and{G2532} day{G2250}, because{G4314} we would{G1912} not{G3361} be chargeable{G1912} unto any{G5100} of you{G5216}, we preached{G2784} unto{G1519} you{G5209} the gospel{G2098} of God{G2316}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Thessalonians 3:7
- For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2 Thessalonians 3:9
- Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2 Corinthians 11:9
- And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things] I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself].
Acts 18:3
- And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
2 Corinthians 12:13
- For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except [it be] that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
2 Corinthians 12:14
- Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
1 Corinthians 9:15
- ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 2:9
1 Thessalonians 2:9 is a verse in which the Apostle Paul reflects on his missionary work among the Thessalonians. The historical context of this verse is rooted in Paul's founding of the church in Thessalonica, which is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. Paul, along with his companions Silas and Timothy, established a Christian community in this Macedonian city during his second missionary journey, which took place around AD 50-52.
In this verse, Paul is reminding the Thessalonian believers of the dedication and hard work he and his fellow workers demonstrated while they were with them. The themes of labor and toil are central to the verse, emphasizing the physical and emotional effort that Paul and his companions put into their ministry. They chose to work tirelessly, even at night, to support themselves financially so as not to be a burden to the new converts. This was in keeping with Paul's practice of earning his own living through tent-making, as mentioned in Acts 18:3, so that his message about the gospel would not be discredited by accusations of financial exploitation.
The verse also highlights the purity of their motives—they preached the gospel of God not for personal gain but out of a genuine desire to serve and to spread the message of Christ. Paul's recollection serves to reinforce the authenticity of his apostolic ministry and to express his deep affection for the Thessalonian church, which he considers his children in the faith. This passage underscores the importance of integrity, self-sufficiency, and dedication in Christian ministry, and it serves as a model for ministers and missionaries to emulate.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G3421
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μνημονεύω
Transliteration: mnēmoneúō
Pronunciation: mnay-mon-yoo'-o
Description: from a derivative of μνήμη; to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse:--make mention; be mindful, remember. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G2257
There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῶν
Transliteration: hēmōn
Pronunciation: hay-mone'
Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we. - Strong's Number: G2873
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κόπος
Transliteration: kópos
Pronunciation: kop'-os
Description: from κόπτω; a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains:--labour, + trouble, weariness. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3449
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μόχθος
Transliteration: móchthos
Pronunciation: mokh'-thos
Description: from the base of μόγις; toil, i.e. (by implication) sadness:--painfulness, travail. - Strong's Number: G2038
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐργάζομαι
Transliteration: ergázomai
Pronunciation: er-gad'-zom-ahee
Description: middle voice from ἔργον; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work. - Strong's Number: G3571
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νύξ
Transliteration: nýx
Pronunciation: noox
Description: a primary word; "night" (literally or figuratively):-- (mid-)night. - Strong's Number: G2250
There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμέρα
Transliteration: hēméra
Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years. - Strong's Number: G4314
There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρός
Transliteration: prós
Pronunciation: pros
Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at. - Strong's Number: G1912
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπιβαρέω
Transliteration: epibaréō
Pronunciation: ep-ee-bar-eh'-o
Description: from ἐπί and βαρέω; to be heavy upon, i.e. (pecuniarily) to be expensive to; figuratively, to be severe towards:--be chargeable to, overcharge. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G5216
There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῶν
Transliteration: hymōn
Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves). - Strong's Number: G2784
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κηρύσσω
Transliteration: kērýssō
Pronunciation: kay-roos'-so
Description: of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):--preacher(-er), proclaim, publish. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G5209
There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμᾶς
Transliteration: hymâs
Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own). - Strong's Number: G2098
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εὐαγγέλιον
Transliteration: euangélion
Pronunciation: yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on
Description: from the same as εὐαγγελίζω; a good message, i.e. the gospel:--gospel. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).