Read & explore together
Greetings to the Thessalonians
This opening greeting quickly becomes a thankful description of a church whose response to the good news was visible. The writers praise God for what happened among the Thessalonians and how their faith became widely known.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This is the start of a letter to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. After greeting them with grace and peace, the writers thank God for them, describe how they received the word, and summarise their turn to God and their waiting for Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10Main takeaway
The passage thanks God for a faith that showed itself in action, endurance, witness, service to God, and waiting for Jesus.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Greeting and thankful prayerPaul, Silvanus, and Timothy write to the assembly of the Thessalonians as people who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Explanation
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy write to the assembly of the Thessalonians as people who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They greet them with grace and peace, then immediately speak of always thanking God for all of them and mentioning them in prayer.
02Faith, love, and hope rememberedTheir thanksgiving is specific rather than general. The writers remember the Thessalonians’ work of faith, labour of love, and perseverance of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ before God the Father.
Explanation
Their thanksgiving is specific rather than general. The writers remember the Thessalonians’ work of faith, labour of love, and perseverance of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ before God the Father. These words describe a faith that acts, a love that works hard, and a hope that keeps going.
03The good news received in affliction and joyThe writers call them brothers loved by God and say they are chosen. They explain that the good news came not in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance.
Explanation
The writers call them brothers loved by God and say they are chosen. They explain that the good news came not in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. The Thessalonians received the word in much affliction, yet with joy of the Holy Spirit.
04An example that pointed to God and JesusBecause of this response, they became an example to believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The word of the Lord sounded out from them, and their faith toward God became widely known.
Explanation
Because of this response, they became an example to believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The word of the Lord sounded out from them, and their faith toward God became widely known. Others spoke of their turning from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, Jesus.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the writers keep doing for the Thessalonians after greeting them?
Notice the repeated actions in verse 2 before the passage explains what they remember about this church.
02Which three qualities are remembered in verse 3, and how is each one described?
Look for the linked phrases that connect faith, love, and hope with work, labour, and perseverance.
03How does verses 9 and 10 describe the change in the Thessalonians’ lives?
Trace the movement from what they turned from to what they now do toward God and his Son.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,
3remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
4We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,
5and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not say anything.
9For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.