English Standard Version
There's a great blend of humanity here, one the church of today would do well to emulate. First, though, a note -- they did not seek glory from the people & made no demands, even though they could have. This verse should help prevent you from ever giving money to a televangelist with a private plane or who has amassed great fortunes. I feel very strongly about this, but will try and avoid a tirade here....
What happens in these verses is two concepts collide. First, Paul came with boldness, not trying to please people, but focused on pleasing God. Paul was preaching the Gospel and did not hesitate to proclaim the truth.
However, Paul also came as a nursing mother to her children. There was a tenderness, a sweetness, a delight in the congregation. A nursing mother naturally attracts her children -- they run to her (and cry out for her at all hours. Kids don't want dad at 3 a.m., a fact in which I rejoice.) In the same way, Paul was not abrasive to the congregation.
The church does well to hold on to both fronts. It's easy for the church to be sweet, to be attractive, but lose the boldness to proclaim the Gospel. The Gospel has some sharp edges, and there were sermons that Jesus gave that drove the crowds away. The church can omit the challenges in order to keep people coming, but in doing so the church can fall short in building up disciples. Similarly, if the church focuses too much on bold proclamation but fails to care for the needs of the people, it fails as well.
May we love with boldness, mix grace with truth, never losing sight of the people, made in the image of God, worthy and deserving of our love.
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