*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.
1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.