2:9 {7} For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(7) To let go of his own rights, rather than to be a cost to his sheep.
2:9 Ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail. There was hard and exhausting labor, night and day. The apostle was not willing to be chargeable to them; hence, while preaching in season, out of season (2Ti 4:2), he labored at his trade for a support. To this day the weaving of black cloths for tents is a great industry at Thessalonica.
2:7-12 Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. Our great gospel privilege is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as becomes those called with such a high and holy calling. Our great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.
