Verse 7

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Thess 2:11 : 11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,
  • 2 Tim 2:24-25 : 24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth
  • Isa 66:13 : 13 As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”
  • Jas 3:17 : 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.
  • Isa 49:23 : 23 Kings will be your children’s guardians; their princesses will nurse your children. With their faces to the ground they will bow down to you and they will lick the dirt on your feet. Then you will recognize that I am the LORD; those who wait patiently for me are not put to shame.
  • Gen 33:13-14 : 13 But Jacob said to him,“My lord knows that the children are young, and that I have to look after the sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven too hard for even a single day, all the animals will die. 14 Let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the herds and the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”
  • Num 11:12 : 12 Did I conceive this entire people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me,‘Carry them in your arms, as a foster father bears a nursing child,’ to the land which you swore to their fathers?
  • Isa 40:11 : 11 Like a shepherd he tends his flock; he gathers up the lambs with his arm; he carries them close to his heart; he leads the ewes along.
  • Ezek 34:14-16 : 14 In a good pasture I will feed them; the mountain heights of Israel will be their pasture. There they will lie down in a lush pasture, and they will feed on rich grass on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will feed my sheep and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will seek the lost and bring back the strays; I will bandage the injured and strengthen the sick, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them– with judgment!
  • Matt 11:29-30 : 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
  • John 21:15-17 : 15 Peter’s Restoration Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He replied,“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him,“Feed my lambs.” 16 Jesus said a second time,“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied,“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him,“Shepherd my sheep.” 17 Jesus said a third time,“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time,“Do you love me?” and said,“Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus replied,“Feed my sheep.
  • Acts 13:18 : 18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
  • 1 Cor 2:3 : 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling.
  • 1 Cor 9:22 : 22 To the weak I became weak in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.
  • 2 Cor 10:1 : 1 Paul’s Authority from the Lord Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ(I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!)–
  • 2 Cor 13:4 : 4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.
  • Gal 5:22-23 : 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.