1 Thessalonians 1

King James Version

Full text for 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1

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;

3Remembering 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;

4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

5For 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:

7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8For 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.

9For 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;

10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

The epistle opens with Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus extending grace and peace to the Thessalonian church, expressing unceasing gratitude for them in prayer. They remember the Thessalonians' "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope" before God, recognizing their divine election. The gospel preached to them was not merely words but came with power, the Holy Ghost, and much assurance, evident in the apostles' conduct. Despite receiving the word in much affliction, the Thessalonians embraced it with the joy of the Holy Ghost, becoming followers of the apostles and the Lord. Consequently, they served as powerful examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia, as their faith to God-ward spread widely. Their conversion from idols to serve the living and true God is noted, alongside their eager waiting for Jesus from heaven, who delivers from the wrath to come.

Long Summary

Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus address the church of the Thessalonians, extending grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles express unceasing gratitude to God for the Thessalonians, always remembering them in their prayers. They specifically recall the Thessalonians' "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope" in the Lord Jesus Christ, performed in the sight of God. This devotion confirms to the apostles their beloved brethren's "election of God." The gospel message delivered to the Thessalonians was not merely verbal but manifested with divine power, the Holy Ghost, and much assurance, as evidenced by the apostles' own conduct among them. The Thessalonians, in turn, became imitators of the apostles and of the Lord Himself, courageously receiving the word even amidst significant affliction, yet doing so with the profound joy imparted by the Holy Ghost. Their steadfastness and vibrant faith caused them to become shining examples to all believers throughout the regions of Macedonia and Achaia. Indeed, the word of the Lord resonated from them not only in those immediate areas, but their faith in God had spread so extensively to every place that the apostles found it unnecessary to speak further of it. Others bore witness to the apostles' initial entry among them and how the Thessalonians had decisively turned from the worship of idols to serve the one living and true God. Furthermore, their conversion included a fervent anticipation for God's Son, Jesus, to return from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, and who is the deliverer from the wrath that is yet to come.

Core Concepts

  • Salutation and ThanksgivingPaul, Silvanus, and Timotheus greet the Thessalonian church and express constant gratitude to God for them, making mention of them in their prayers. This sets a tone of affection and spiritual appreciation for the community.
  • Work of Faith, Labour of Love, Patience of HopeThese three virtues characterize the Thessalonians' Christian life, demonstrating their active commitment to their beliefs, their selfless service, and their steadfast endurance in anticipation of Christ's return.
  • Election of God and Power of the GospelThe apostles recognize the Thessalonians as chosen by God, a truth confirmed by the gospel's arrival among them not merely in words, but with divine power, the Holy Ghost, and much assurance. This highlights the supernatural efficacy of the message.
  • Imitation and Exemplary ConductThe Thessalonians became followers of the apostles and the Lord, receiving the word with joy despite affliction. Their transformed lives made them powerful examples to other believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia, spreading the Lord's word.
  • Conversion from Idols and Eschatological HopeThe chapter details their turning from pagan idols to serve the living and true God. This conversion is coupled with an eager expectation for Jesus, God's Son, to return from heaven, who delivers believers from the wrath to come.