1 Thessalonians 1

1:1 Ancient letters began with the name of the author, the name of the recipients, and a salutation. • Paul, Silas, and Timothy were the founders of this church (Acts 17:1-9). • The greeting grace and peace summarizes the believer’s experience of the Good News.

1:2-10 After thanking God for the faith, love, and hope of the Thessalonian believers (1:2-3), Paul recalls how the Good News was proclaimed to them (1:4-5) and how they accepted its message (1:6-10). Paul returns to these themes in 2:1-12 and 2:13-16.1:2 We always thank God for all of you is the first of three thanksgivings for the church (see 2:13; 3:9).

1:3 The reason for Paul’s gratitude was the Thessalonians’ faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope (or confidence; see 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thes 1:3-4).

1:4 dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term that refers to members of the same family, both male and female.

1:5 God called the Thessalonians through the proclamation of the Good News (2 Thes 2:13-14). The Holy Spirit convinced the hearers that the message was true (1 Cor 2:4-5; 1 Pet 1:12).

1:6 Because they accepted the Good News, the Thessalonians experienced severe suffering from their contemporaries (2:14; 3:3-4). Yet as they followed the model of the apostles and of the Lord himself (Matt 5:11-12; Rom 8:17; 12:12; Phil 2:17), they received joy from the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 4:13-14).

1:7-8 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 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; 17:22-31; 19:23-41). In a pluralistic religious environment, the call to forsake ancestral gods was unusual (cp. Jer 10:8-10; 1 Cor 8:4-6).

1:10 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the core of the apostles’ preaching (4:14; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 10:40; 13:29-30; 1 Cor 15:3-8) and the foundation for confidence in Jesus’ return (see 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Thes 1:6-10).