What were the Jewish and Greco-Roman views of fatherhood that informed two aspects of Paul’s relationship as "father"—hierarchy/authority and affection—towards his "children" in 1 Thessalonians? Paul had a relationship of hierarchy similar to that of the paterfamilias (head of the household) in society who assumed the responsibility for socializing his children into the community. His position of authority is tempered in that he exercised paternal (as opposed to apostolic) authority towards his converts. Much evidence in 1 Thessalonians shows that Paul was not adverse to showing affection towards his converts. He demonstrated his love in different ways.