I Thessalonians 2:5 “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 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.”
A Sincere Pastor’s Heart is a gift of God, to both the Church and the Pastor. One of the ways a minister knows that he is being led of the Spirit to serve as the Pastor of a Church is that he is given an urgency for loving spiritual care for the Church much like that of a “gentle” “nurse” who “cherisheth her children”. This sincere Pastor’s Heart weights the needs of the beloved Church under his care even above his own. Paul points out that “flattering words” are just a façade for a “cloke of covetousness”; that is, flattery is just another way of getting more attention directed back at themselves. These “flattering words” are when a preacher incessantly tells the congregation how good and great they are, but neglects to tell them how good and great the Sovereign, Eternal God is. So, he emphasizes, “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others”; that is, our interest was not to make a great name for ourselves or to promote ourselves but to better nourish you in the blessed Gospel of Christ. Paul expresses his great Pastoral love and commitment to them this way, “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.”! This truly Sincere Pastoral Heart was expressed this way to the Corinthian Brethren: “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you” (II Corinthians 12:15). Let us pray for Sincere Pastors!