Imploring (3143) (marturomai from mártus = witness) (See related word studies - epimartureo; diamarturomai) in its original sense meant summon to witness and thus conveys the idea of testifying in affirmation or exhortation. The idea of implore is to beg earnestly or even desperately. Interestingly, the English word implore is from the Latin implorare meaning to "invoke with tears" with a suggestion of greater urgency or anguished appeal! To affirm (state positively, assert as valid or confirmed, implying conviction based on evidence, experience or faith) something with solemnity (see NT uses below). The verb means to appeal to by something sacred. To urge as a matter of great importance and thus to affirm, insist or implore (Ep 4:17-note, 1Th 2:11-note) To be emphatic in stating an opinion or desire. It refers here in Thessalonians to making an emphatic demand (implore, insist, urge, charge). This verb conveys an authoritative tone (like a father would do) and points to the solemnity and earnestness with which the appeal is made. The idea of marturomai is to bear witness with a solemn protestation, making an emphatic affirmation or a serious declaration (see below - Acts 20:26, 26:22, Gal 5:3). It means to make a serious declaration on the basis of presumed personal knowledge McGee states that marturomai... has a note of severity in it—it involves discipline. It is a virile word, a robust, firm, masculine word. I’m afraid that we find a lot of sissy preaching in our pulpits today. The popular thing is to have a little sermonette given by a preacherette to Christianettes. There is so little urgency. Someone has defined the average church service in a liberal church as when a mild-mannered man gets up before a group of mild-mannered people and urges them to be more mild-mannered. Oh, that is sickening, my friend! (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) Marturomai is used only 5 times in the NT... Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Acts 26:22 And so, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. Ephesians 4:17 (Note) This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 1Thessalonians 2:11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children Each one of you - This phrase is placed emphatically forward which stresses Paul's work in every convert, not just his "favorites". The Way translation picks up this sense rendering it "each of you, one by one." AS A FATHER WOULD HIS OWN CHILDREN: os pater tekna heautou: (Ge 50:16,17; 1Chr 22:11, 12, 13; 28:9,20; Ps 34:11; Pr 1:10,15; 2:1; 3:1; Pr 4:1-12; 5:1,2; 6:1; 7:1,24; 31:1-9; 1Co 4:14,15) While Paul compares himself to a nurse or mother when he speaks of cherishing his converts, he compares himself to a father when he speaks of instructing them. Father (3962)(pater) is a father, spoken generally of men and in a special sense of God. Hiebert writes regarding the nursing mother and exhorting father that... The former simile stresses the tenderness of the missionaries' dealings with their converts; the simile of the father shows the sterner aspect of their love for their children. The apostles dealt with them not with the severity of the taskmaster but with the earnest concern of the father intent upon training his children according to their individual needs. The figure of a father was commonly used by Jewish teachers to denote their relationship to their pupils. Converted under their ministry, the Thessalonian believers were indeed the writers' spiritual children who needed their instruction and guidance. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_210-12.htm#implore