*1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith, love, and perseverance in the face of persecution, and expresses his thanksgiving for their positive example.
- Salutation:
- The letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Paul opens with greetings of grace and peace.
- Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith:
- Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonians continually, mentioning them in his prayers.
- He recalls their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before God.
- God’s Choice Evident:
- The Thessalonians are reminded that they are chosen by God, evidenced by the powerful way the gospel came to them—not simply with words but also with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction.
- Paul highlights how they know what kind of men Paul and his companions were for their sake while with them.
- Model Believers:
- The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and the Lord, despite severe suffering; they received the word with joy given by the Holy Spirit.
- As a result, they became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
- The Word’s Spread:
- The word of the Lord rang out from them not only in Macedonia and Achaia but everywhere their faith in God has become known.
- Paul notes that they need not say anything about it because the reports of the Thessalonians’ faith are widespread.
- Conversion and Service:
- People speak about how the Thessalonians turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
- They also tell of how the Thessalonians are waiting for Jesus to return from heaven, whom God raised from the dead—Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 encourages us to live with faith, love, and hope in God. The Thessalonians showed their faith by their actions, their love by serving others, and their hope by staying strong even in hard times. Their example reminds us that our lives can inspire others when we trust God and live for Him. We can apply this by putting our faith into action, helping those around us, and staying hopeful, knowing that God is always with us.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (WEB)
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, 5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.