1 Thessalonians Chapter 1, which was addressed to the church of Thessalonica from Paul, Timothy, and Silas, starts off with a greeting of peace and love. Paul praised them for their faith and said that he remembered them for the works they had done in the name of Jesus.
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He said that their work helped him and he believed that their labor was in love and their endurance was a gift from Christ.
Paul Commends the Church
Paul called the people of the Thessalonica church brothers and sisters. He said that God deeply loved them and had chosen them for greater things. The gospel which was preached to this church was received in a great and holy way.
Paul commended the people because they not only believed the words, but they also accepted the power which came in the form of the Holy Spirit. He praised them for this and he said that he believed that their faith had kept them strong. He knew that they had done good works and he was thankful for their obedience and faithfulness in Christ.
Known All Over
Paul told the people at Thessalonica that their faith had been heard about all throughout the land, especially in Macedonia and Achaia. They were known as being very obedient and they took the Gospel well. They worked hard even through suffering.
During this time, many people who accepted Christ were persecuted, but the Thessalonians were said to have pushed through even in the midst of suffering. He said that they had been blessed by God and countless nations had heard about their faithfulness, which was an example to all.
They turned away from their idol worship and had given their lives to God. Paul said that they would be blessed and their faithfulness to Jesus Christ would be known.
1 Thessalonians 1 (King James Version)
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.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
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;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
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.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
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.
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;
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.