1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 Breakdown

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church 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.

Paul states all three of the authors of this letter. Seemingly showing they are all in agreement with the following content.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

Thanks is given for the Thessalonians. The Thessalonians have works of faith, they are slaves of love, and have a patience for hope, and a sense of knowing they are elected by God.

This is interesting to me because it shows immediately the Thessalonians do the works of God because they have faith, not because they are forced. It also shows they go through turmoil and persecution because of their love for God.

5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

The gospel was not just words to them, but also brought to them power in the word, and the Holy Spirit was granted to them. They understood who the Apostles were when they came to Thessalonica.

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

The Thessalonians were able to become followers of the Apostles and YHWH because they received the word by great tribulations but they received it with the joy of the Holy Spirit nevertheless. They became the examples for others in the region.

8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

It was because of Thessalonica, the word of YHWH had gone out beyond just the two mentioned cities. Thessalonica had been able to be the example needed for word to spread before the disciples showed up in new towns.

9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

These new towns share with the disciples how Thessalonica turned away from the idols and started worshiping YHWH and how they now wait for Yeshua’s return to rescue all believers from the wrath of YHWH that will come.