1 Thessalonians1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus greet the Thessalonian church, expressing constant thanksgiving for their exemplary faith, love, and hope. They commend the Thessalonians for receiving the gospel with power and joy amidst affliction, becoming followers of the Lord. Their steadfast faith and conversion from idols have made them a widespread example to other believers, demonstrating their election of God. This chapter concludes by highlighting their anticipation of Christ's return, who delivers from the wrath to come.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Salutation and Apostolic Greeting

1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. ​

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mentionof youin our prayers;
3
remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; ​
4
knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, ​
5
how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake. ​

The Thessalonians as a Model Church

6
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
7
so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. ​
8
For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything. ​
9
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto 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, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come. ​

Study Notes for 1 Thessalonians 1

Verse 1

Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus were Paul's trusted companions on the second missionary journey. The greeting emphasizes that the church's identity is rooted 'in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.'

Verse 3

Paul praises the Thessalonians using the famous triad of Christian virtues: 'work of faith,' 'labour of love,' and 'patience of hope.' This combination emphasizes that true belief is active, sacrificial, and enduring.

Verse 4

The phrase 'your election of God' assures the readers of their divine calling. Paul recognized their genuine conversion and perseverance as evidence that God had chosen them.

Verse 5

Paul contrasts mere 'word only' preaching with the gospel delivered 'in power' and 'much assurance' by the Holy Spirit. The effectiveness of the message depended on divine confirmation, not just human rhetoric.

Verse 7

Despite receiving the word 'in much affliction,' their steadfast response made them 'ensamples' (models) of faith throughout the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia.

Verse 8

The impact of their faith was so widespread that the news of their conversion preceded Paul. This highlights the rapid and organic spread of Christianity through personal testimony during the early apostolic age.

Verse 9

Their conversion involved a radical public break from pagan idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive nature of serving the 'living and true God'—a stark contrast to the dead idols they abandoned.

Verse 10

This verse introduces the central eschatological theme of 1 Thessalonians: waiting for the return of Christ (the Parousia). Jesus' resurrection guarantees deliverance from 'the wrath to come,' referring to the final divine judgment.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options