2:9a
In the Greek text, this sentence begins with gar (“for”). It indicates here that Paul was giving an example of what he meant in 2:6b, “although … we had authority to demand it,” in 2:7, “we were gentle among you,” and in 2:8c, “to share with you … our own lives.”
Surely you recall: Paul reminded the Thessalonians again that they themselves already knew what he was about to state.
brothers: See the note on 1:4.
our labor and toil: The two Greek words that Paul used here, kopos and mochthos, have very similar meanings. Paul used this repetition to emphasize his statement. If you do not have two similar words that you can use here, or if it would be unnatural for you to use such repetition, you could translate this as “we worked very diligently/hard.”
2:9b
We worked night and day: Acts 18:3–5 records that Paul’s job was to make tents to sell. He may have worked late at night after he had finished teaching and preaching to the Thessalonians. Timothy and Silas may also have worked at tent-making so that Paul would be free to preach and teach.
night and day: This does not mean that Paul and his companions worked all night and all day. Paul used this expression to emphasis the long hours he worked. One way to express this would be:
we worked not only during the day but also at night
2:9c
so that we would not be a burden to anyone: The Greek word epibareō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as be a burden, is related to the word baros, “weight, importance,” in 2:6b. However, here the meaning is different and nearly all scholars agree that it refers to not being a financial burden on the Thessalonians. Paul and his companions worked to support themselves so that they could buy their own food and lodging rather than expecting anyone to provide it for them.
2:9d
the gospel of God: See the notes on “the gospel of God” in 2:2c.
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