The word apostle
(Greek ἀπόστολος/apostolos) denotes a person who is a delegate or representative of another person or group, who acts on behalf of that person or group, and who therefore carries the authority of the person or people who sent him. The word could be used in this sense without any particular religious connotation; it is found in this general sense in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25, where it is usually translated with English words such as representative,
messenger,
or delegate.
1,2,3
The New Testament also shows that the word apostle
was used to refer specifically to those who had seen Jesus after his resurrection, and had been commissioned by him to be his special representatives in the preaching of the gospel (e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:7–9; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Galatians 2:8).4,5 Not every preacher of the gospel was an apostle in this sense, as is clear from the way Paul distinguishes himself from his coworkers in 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:1, and Colossians 1:1; in these passages Paul refers to himself as an apostle,
and to his coworkers as brothers.
It is this second meaning that applies here in 1 Thessalonians 2:6, since Paul speaks about apostles of Christ,
and indicates that being apostles of Christ carried weight.
Apostles of Christ represent him and carry his authority.
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.