Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, on 1Thess 2:8

“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.”

“So--to be joined to "we were willing"; "As a nurse cherisheth . . . so we were willing," &c. [ALFORD]. But BENGEL, "So," that is, seeing that we have such affection for you. being affectionately desirous--The oldest reading in the Greek implies, literally, to connect one's self with another; to be closely attached to another. willing--The Greek is stronger, "we were well content"; "we would gladly have imparted," &c. "even our own lives" (so the Greek for "souls" ought to be translated); as we showed in the sufferings we endured in giving you the Gospel (Acts 17:1-34). As a nursing mother is ready to impart not only her milk to them, but her life for them, so we not only imparted gladly the spiritual milk of the word to you, but risked our own lives for your spiritual nourishment, imitating Him who laid down His life for His friends, the greatest proof of love (Joh 15:13). ye were--Greek, "ye were become," as having become our spiritual children. dear--Greek, "dearly beloved."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.