1Thess 2:8

“Ὁμειρόμενοι ὑμῶν, that is, attached to you and caring for you, from ὁμοῦ (together) and εἴρω (I join). (Further, Blessed Theophylact says: some have read ἱμειρόμενοι, that is, desiring, but this is incorrect.) Therefore, not only, says the apostle, did we take nothing from you, but we "were willing," that is, we strongly desire to expend for you even our own souls, if need be. Therefore, to impart the gospel is a most precious thing, but to give up one's soul is far more difficult and is a matter of extraordinary love — such is his conclusion. Lest it seem that he speaks about all this because he labored for them and therefore ought to enjoy honor from them, he says: I do this for no other reason than love. For I do not seek reward, but do everything for the sake of duty itself.”

“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."”