The Apostle Paul declares to the Thessalonians that at the very first with them he was like a nursing mother.

What a wonderful word picture of tender love and affection to his new church plant. Who among us can’t recall that image of a new mother and her baby…Praise the Lord!

Our Lord God the Almighty and Ancient of Days on occasion refers to Himself as the tender, even doting, Father with His children of Israel. Yet, only a few chose to follow His ways in obedience. And for them, He too was like a nursing mother.

In contrast, Paul is taking on the Galatians and Corinthians at every turn. There’s no “nursing mother” images in his letters to them. As a matter of fact, in Galatians 5.12 he proclaims his desire that the Judaizers (those teaching keeping the law is necessary for salvation) would “mutilate themselves.” That’s means to castrate themselves due to the circumcision requirement they loaded on their listeners.

Yes, in 2 Corinthians, Paul does say [Read more…]