1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Summary for 1Thess 1:2-10: 1:2-10 a After thanking God for the faith, love, and hope of the Thessalonian believers (1:2-3 b), Paul recalls how the Good News was proclaimed to them (1:4-5 c) and how they accepted its message (1:6-10 d). Paul returns to these themes in 2:1-12 e and 2:13-16 f. 1:2 g We always thank God for all of you is the first of three thanksgivings for the church (see 2:13 h; 3:9 i).1:3 j The reason for Paul’s gratitude was the Thessalonians’ faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope (or confidence; see 3:6 k; 5:8 l; 2 Thes 1:3-4 m).
1:4 n dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term that refers to members of the same family, both male and female.
1:5 o God called the Thessalonians through the proclamation of the Good News (2 Thes 2:13-14 p). The Holy Spirit convinced the hearers that the message was true (1 Cor 2:4-5 q; 1 Pet 1:12 r).
1:6 s Because they accepted the Good News, the Thessalonians experienced severe suffering from their contemporaries (2:14 t; 3:3-4 u). Yet as they followed the model of the apostles and of the Lord himself (Matt 5:11-12 v; Rom 8:17 w; 12:12 x; Phil 2:17 y), they received joy from the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 4:13-14 z).
Summary for 1Thess 1:7-8: 1:7-8 aa ringing out: The example of the Thessalonians’ faith and their proclamation of the Good News was heard throughout the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia.
1:9 ab Among the Gentiles, the message of the apostles was an exhortation to turn from false idols to serve the living and true God, who created all things (Acts 14:11-18 ac; 17:22-31 ad; 19:23-41 ae). In a pluralistic religious environment, the call to forsake ancestral gods was unusual (cp. Jer 10:8-10 af; 1 Cor 8:4-6 ag).
1:10 ah The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the core of the apostles’ preaching (4:14 ai; Acts 2:32 aj; 3:15 ak; 10:40 al; 13:29-30 am; 1 Cor 15:3-8 an) and the foundation for confidence in Jesus’ return (see 1 Thes 5:9 ao; 2 Thes 1:6-10 ap).
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