Imparting our own souls into the lives of others?

[Blane]

Has anyone here ever received discernment from the Lord regarding 1 Thes 2:8<sup>?



1 Thes 2:8
8</sup> 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.



How can we impart our own souls into the lives of other believers? That is, our mind, will, and emotions? Is this verse to be taken literally? Or is this verse only speaking figuratively? Is it like when scripture says Jonathan and David had their soul's knit together...as in a godly soul tie that edifies one another?

What are your thoughts? Can anyone think of similar verses that might be relevant or helpful to better understand the intended meaning?

Blane

[Lou Newton]

Has anyone here ever received discernment from the Lord regarding 1 Thes 2:8<sup>?



1 Thes 2:8
8</sup> 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.



How can we impart our own souls into the lives of other believers? That is, our mind, will, and emotions? Is this verse to be taken literally? Or is this verse only speaking figuratively? Is it like when scripture says Jonathan and David had their soul's knit together...as in a godly soul tie that edifies one another?

What are your thoughts? Can anyone think of similar verses that might be relevant or helpful to better understand the intended meaning?

Blane

Hi Blane,

1 Thessalonians 2 New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

WE see here in this translation that it is worded a little different.

Paul was always opposed by those who preached a different gospel and also the Jews who did not accept Christ.

He simply is reminding the Christians there with this letter that he did not preach for gain, but out of love for them.

He reminds them of the persecution and opposition he endured in preaching the truth to them. He also reminds them that he did not profit in any way by preaching to them, but supported himself by working himself.

Paul does not do this to make himself look good, but to encourage them to keep trusting in Christ alone and follow the gospel He preached to them and not the errors that others try to turn them to.

Paul is reminding them that he gave them everything he had to offer and asked for nothing in return.

He gave them everything he had and also bared his very soul to them and gave them his whole life in every way while he was there.

OTHER ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJ21) | In Context | Whole Chapter
So being affectionately desirous for 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ASV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (AMP) | In Context | Whole Chapter
So, being thus tenderly and affectionately desirous of you, we continued to share with you not only God’s good news (the Gospel) but also our own lives as well, for you had become so very dear to us.

Thessalonians 2:8 (CEB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We were glad to share not only God’s good news with you but also our very lives because we cared for you so much.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (CJB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (CEV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (DARBY) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (DLNT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 in this manner longing-affectionately for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the good-news of God, but also our own lives, because you became beloved ones to us.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (DRA) | In Context | Whole Chapter
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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ERV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESVUK) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (EXB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 Because we ·loved [had such affection for/devotion to] you, we were ·happy [pleased; delighted] to share not only God’s ·Good News [Gospel] with you, but ·even [also] our own lives. You had become so ·dear [beloved] to us!


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (GNV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 Thus being affectioned toward you, our good will was to have dealt unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (GW) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We felt so strongly about you that we were determined to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our lives. That’s how dear you were to us!

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (GNT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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!

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (HCSB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ISV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-12 (PHILLIPS) | Whole Chapter
3-12 Our message to you is true, our motives are pure, our conduct is absolutely above board. We speak under the solemn sense of being trusted by God with the Gospel. We do not aim to please men, but to please God who knows us through and through. No one could ever say, as again you know, that we used flattery to conceal greedy motives, and God himself is witness to our honesty. We made no attempt to win honour from men, either from you or from anybody else, though I suppose as Christ’s own messengers we might have done so. Our attitude among you was one of tenderness, rather like that of a devoted nurse among her babies. Because we loved you, it was a joy to us to give you not only the Gospel of God but our very hearts—so dear did you become to us. Our struggles and hard work, my brothers, must still be fresh in your minds. Day and night we worked so that our preaching of the Gospel to you might not cost you a penny. You are witnesses, as is God himself, that our life among you believers was honest, straightforward and above criticism. You will remember how we dealt with each one of you personally, like a father with his own children, stimulating your faith and courage and giving you instruction. Our only object was to help you to live lives worthy of the God who has called you to share the splendour of his kingdom.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (JUB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 loving you so much, that we were willing to give unto you, not only the gospel of God, but even our own souls, because ye are dear unto us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (AKJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (LEB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (TLB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We loved you dearly—so dearly that we gave you not only God’s message, but our own lives too.


1 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (MSG) | In Context | Whole Chapter
6-8 Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (MEV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 So having great love toward you, we were willing to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you were dear to us.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NOG) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We felt so strongly about you that we were determined to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our lives. That’s how dear you were to us!


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NABRE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NASB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NCV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
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!


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NET) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIRV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 we cared for you. We loved you so much. So we were happy to share with you God’s good news. We were also happy to share our lives with you.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIVUK) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NKJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NRSV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NRSVA) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NRSVACE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NRSVCE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.



llah in Thessalonika I 2:8 (OJB) | In Context | Whole Chapter


8 Thus having a tshuka (yearning) for you, it was our good pleasure to share with you not only the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem, but also our very lives, because you became beloved chaverim to us.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (RSV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (RSVCE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.



1 Thessalonians 2:8 (VOICE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 We were so taken by you that we not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives. That’s how much you’ve come to mean to us.



1 Thessalonians 2:8 (WEB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 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.



1 Thessalonians 2:8 (WE) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 Because we loved you, we were glad to give you God's good news. We were also glad to give you our lives, because we loved you very much.


1 Thessalonians 2:8 (WYC) | In Context | Whole Chapter
8 so we desiring you with great love, would have betaken to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our lives [so we desiring you covetingly, or with great love, would betake to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our souls, or lives], for ye be made most dear-worthy to us.


1 thessalonians 2:8 (YLT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
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,

Lou Newton

[Travis]

Hey Blane,

My thoughts:

I tend to develop really strong soul ties some times with people. I have to be careful about that, cause it works for good and for bad. I can minister to someone and keep an emotional distance per say. I've noticed most people who work in a religious setting have mastered the ability to do this. I can pick up on that pretty quick, and usually I find it as a pretty big turn off. I want something deeper than that. I think Paul was definitely using a Greek phrase that had some depth of meaning there to indicate the level of affection and the amount of himself that he gave to these people. They weren't just some group of people he ministered to at some point in time, this was people he deeply cared for and gave himself to, he didn't just preach the word of God to them, he/they (Timothy + Silvanus) gave their ψυχάς (psyches), literally souls, to these people. That showed an immense amount of love, because that opened them up to being hurt by these same people greatly if they broke that kind of trust. Paul held nothing back, and that's kind of a scary thought.

Modern psychology has some understanding of our souls, but I think their view of things is contorted at best, and lacking a whole lot of information. The human soul is a beautiful thing that can do beautiful things, but it can also be damaged quite incredibly and needs to be guarded well. Thanks be to God for Jesus, the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul!

Blessings,

Travis

[TennesseeLinda]

Only have a moment,but would this be akin to "I am baring my soul to you" or I am giving you my heart......no literally?