1 Thessalonians 1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s prayer and thanksgiving

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering constantly your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of our God and Father,

1:3 Here are three great Christian qualities and something of what they produce. True faith will always produce good works. See Jam 2:14-17, 26. The Greek word translated “love” here is “agape”. See 1 Cor 13:1-13 for its description. Love can be known only by what it produces and seen only in how it behaves. Real love is always willing to labour for Christ and others.⚜

An ideal church

4  knowing, dear brethren, God’s choice of you. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1:5 “Our gospel” – the gospel revealed by Christ which they preached (1 Thess 2:8; 3:2; Gal 1:11-12; Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1-8).⚜

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord. You received the word in much suffering, but with the Holy Spirit’s joy. 7 So you became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord sounded out from you. Not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith in God is becoming known, so that we do not need to say anything about it. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what kind of entry we had among you and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who has delivered us from the wrath to come.

1:5-10 These verses, together with v 3, give the evidence that made Paul certain of their salvation. When he first preached to them he experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, he saw the profound change that occurred in them, a change which stood the test of persecution, and he knew that their witness for Christ was true and fervent.⚜