1 Thessalonians 1 KJV
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.
1 Thessalonians 1 (New Testament)
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.
| Greek Word + Meaning | Verse + Snippet | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ἐκλογή — “choice, election” | Verse 4 — “…your election of God.” | Paul emphasizes divine initiative in salvation. The term ἐκλογή underscores God's sovereign calling. Its use highlights assurance rooted in God’s work. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐνέργεια — “working, activity” | Verse 5 — “…in power, and in the Holy Ghost…” | The term ἐνέργεια stresses divine energizing, not human persuasion. Paul attributes effective ministry to supernatural action. This distinguishes gospel proclamation from rhetoric. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament (1896) |
| μιμητής — “imitator, follower” | Verse 6 — “…ye became followers of us…” | Μιμητής conveys intentional patterning of life. Early believers adopted apostolic habits amid suffering. The word reflects discipleship through lived example. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on the New Testament (1882) |
| θλῖψις — “pressure, affliction” | Verse 6 — “…having received the word in much affliction…” | Θλῖψις indicates external pressure producing spiritual depth. Paul acknowledges hardship as formative. The term strengthens the theme of steadfast endurance. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| λόγος — “word, message” | Verse 8 — “…the word of the Lord sounded out…” | Λόγος here stresses the proclaimed gospel. The Thessalonians participated in its spread through testimony. The term marks their active evangelistic identity. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| ἐξήχηται — “to sound forth, echo” | Verse 8 — “…sounded out…” | The verb ἐξήχηται evokes trumpet-like proclamation. Their faith created a reverberating witness across regions. Paul presents them as exemplary heralds. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐπιστρέφω — “turn, convert” | Verse 9 — “…ye turned to God from idols…” | Ἐπιστρέφω signifies decisive conversion. It describes a reorientation of allegiance to the living God. Paul frames it as genuine transformation. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| δουλεύω — “to serve as a bondservant” | Verse 9 — “…to serve the living and true God.” | Δουλεύω captures wholehearted devotion. Paul describes Christian service as joyful enslavement to God. The term emphasizes loyalty and reverence. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| ἀναμένω — “to wait expectantly” | Verse 10 — “…to wait for His Son from heaven.” | Ἀναμένω includes eager anticipation of Christ's return. The word captures patient endurance rooted in hope. Early believers lived in watchful expectation. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary (1884) |
| ῥύομαι — “rescue, deliver” | Verse 10 — “…which delivered us from the wrath to come.” | Ῥύομαι emphasizes decisive divine rescue. Paul grounds salvation in Christ’s saving intervention. The term evokes deliverance from judgment. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
Chapter 1
Verse: "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
Lesson: The Thessalonian believers were commended for their faith, love, and hope in Jesus Christ, which were evident in their works and labor. This serves as a reminder to us that true faith in Christ will result in action and labor prompted by love, and our endurance will be inspired by hope in Him.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: Let us strive to have genuine faith in Jesus Christ that produces good works and labor motivated by love for God and others. May our hope in Christ inspire us to endure through any trials or challenges that come our way.
Prayer Points: Heavenly Father, help us to have genuine faith in Jesus Christ that produces good works and labor motivated by love. May our hope in Him inspire us to endure through any trials or challenges that come our way. Amen.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
