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1 Thessalonians 1

BSB·10 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos — small; humbleG3972 — Full Word Study →, SilvanusΣιλουανὸςSilouanos — Silvanus, Paul's companionG4610 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → TimothyΤιμόθεοςTimotheos — Honoring GodG5095 — Full Word Study →, To theΤῇTē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchἐκκλησίᾳekklēsia — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study → of the ThessaloniansΘεσσαλονικέωνThessalonikeōn — Inhabitant of ThessalonicaG2331 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → the Father andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → the Lord JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστῷChristō — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →: GraceΧάριςCharis — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → peaceεἰρήνηeirēnē — Peace; absence of conflict; inner tranquilityG1515 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 2We always thankΕὐχαριστοῦμενEucharistoumen — To give thanks; to be gratefulG2168 — Full Word Study → GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → forπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → allπάντωνpantōn — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → of youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, rememberinἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study →g you in ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → prayersπροσευχῶνproseuchōn — Prayer, supplication, or earnest request to GodG4335 — Full Word Study → 3and continually recallingμνημονεύοντεςmnēmoneuontes — To remember, recall, or keep in mindG3421 — Full Word Study → beforeἔμπροσθενemprosthen — before, in front of, in the presence ofG1715 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατρὸςPatros — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → workἔργουergou — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → of faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →, your laborκόπουkopou — Physical or spiritual labor; strenuous work and effortG2873 — Full Word Study → of loveἀγάπηςagapēs — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → your enduringὑπομονῆςhypomonēs — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study → hopeἐλπίδοςelpidos — confident expectation; hope; trust in God's promisesG1680 — Full Word Study → inτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 4Brothersἀδελφοὶadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → who are belovedἠγαπημένοιēgapēmenoi — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, we knowεἰδότεςeidotes — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → that He has chosen youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, 5becauseὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → gospelεὐαγγέλιονeuangelion — Good news; the Gospel messageG2098 — Full Word Study → cameἐγενήθηegenēthē — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → wordλόγῳlogō — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → powerδυνάμειdynamei — Power, strength, ability, or mighty workG1411 — Full Word Study →, inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the Holy SpiritΠνεύματιPneumati — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → with[ἐν]en — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → greatπολλῇpollē — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → convictionπληροφορίᾳplērophoria — Full assurance, complete conviction, certaintyG4136 — Full Word Study →just asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → you knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → we livedἐγενήθημενegenēthēmen — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → for your sakeδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study →. 6AndΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → becameἐγενήθητεegenēthēte — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → imitatorsμιμηταὶmimētai — one who imitates or mimics; a follower of an exampleG3402 — Full Word Study → of usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → when you welcomedδεξάμενοιdexamenoi — to receive or accept willinglyG1209 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → messageλόγονlogon — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → the joy of the Holy SpiritΠνεύματοςPneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study →, in spite of your greatπολλῇpollē — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → sufferingθλίψειthlipsei — Pressure, affliction, tribulationG2347 — Full Word Study →. 7As a resultὥστεhōste — so that, with the result that, thereforeG5620 — Full Word Study →, youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → have becomeγενέσθαιgenesthai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → an exampleτύπονtypon — example, pattern, or model to followG5179 — Full Word Study → to allπᾶσινpasin — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → believersπιστεύουσινpisteuousin — to believe, trust, have faith inG4100 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → MacedoniaΜακεδονίᾳMakedonia — Northern Greek regionG3109 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → AchaiaἈχαΐᾳAchaia — Southern Greece regionG882 — Full Word Study →. 8Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study → did the messageλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → ring outἐξήχηταιexēchētai — to sound forth, ring out, resoundG1837 — Full Word Study → fromἀφ’aph’ — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → toἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → MacedoniaΜακεδονίᾳMakedonia — Northern Greek regionG3109 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → AchaiaἈχαΐᾳAchaia — Southern Greece regionG882 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → inπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has gone outἐξελήλυθενexelēlythen — to go out, exit, or departG1831 — Full Word Study → toἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → everyπαντὶpanti — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → placeτόπῳtopō — A physical or geographical location; a place or regionG5117 — Full Word Study →, so thatὥστεhōste — so that, with the result that, thereforeG5620 — Full Word Study → weἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → haveἔχεινechein — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → noμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → needχρείανchreian — physical need, necessity, requirementG5532 — Full Word Study → to sayλαλεῖνlalein — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → anything more. 9Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → they themselvesαὐτοὶautoi — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → reportἀπαγγέλλουσινapangellousin — To announce, report, or declareG518 — Full Word Study → what kindὁποίανhopoian — What kind of; what sort of; such asG3697 — Full Word Study → of welcomeεἴσοδονeisodon — Entrance, coming in, arrivalG1529 — Full Word Study → you gave usἔσχομενeschomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → howπῶςpōs — how? in what manner? by what means?G4459 — Full Word Study → you turnedἐπεστρέψατεepestrepsate — to turn around, return, or convertG1994 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → idolsεἰδώλωνeidōlōn — idol; object of false worshipG1497 — Full Word Study → to serveδουλεύεινdouleuein — to serve as a slave; to be in bondageG1398 — Full Word Study → the living andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → trueἀληθινῷalēthinō — genuine, authentic, realG228 — Full Word Study → GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → 10andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → to awaitἀναμένεινanamenein — to wait for, await expectantlyG362 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱὸνHuion — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → heavenοὐρανῶνouranōn — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study →, whomὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → He raisedἤγειρενēgeiren — To raise up, arise, or awakenG1453 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → deadνεκρῶνnekrōn — dead, lifeless, corpseG3498 — Full Word Study →JesusἸησοῦνIēsoun — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ourἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → delivererῥυόμενονrhyomenon — To rescue, deliver, or snatch away from dangerG4506 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → comingἐρχομένηςerchomenēs — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → wrathὀργῆςorgēs — Divine or human anger; wrathG3709 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Thessalonians 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

First Thessalonians chapter 1 opens Paul's first epistle to the young church at Thessalonica with heartfelt thanksgiving and encouragement. Writing alongside Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, Paul commends the believers for their vibrant faith, their courageous response to persecution, and their growing reputation throughout the region. This opening establishes the letter's pastoral tone: Paul writes not as a distant apostle, but as a spiritual father deeply invested in his converts' spiritual growth and perseverance in Christ.

Verses 1: Apostolic Greeting

Paul begins by identifying himself along with his companions and addresses the church with a profound theological statement: they are "in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ." This is not merely geographical location, but spiritual reality. The believers belong to God and to Christ. The greeting of grace and peace reflects the standard New Testament salutation, combining Greek courtesy (charis, grace) with the Hebrew peace (shalom). These are not wishes but declarations of spiritual reality and blessing that flow from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul establishes equality between Father and Son in this opening, affirming Christ's full deity and authority.

Application: Our identity in Christ is not provisional—we are already positioned "in" Him. Our belonging is secure, rooted in God's eternal purposes.

Verses 2–3: Thanksgiving and Recognition

Paul's practice of constant thanksgiving and prayer sets a model for Christian leadership and intercession. Rather than focusing on the church's weaknesses, he begins by remembering their virtues. He identifies three essential Christian marks: "work of faith" (faith expressing itself in labor), "labour of love" (selfless service motivated by affection for Christ and others), and "patience of hope" (steadfast endurance rooted in confident expectation of Christ's return). These three virtues—faith, love, and hope—echo the triad Paul develops throughout his letters (see 1 Corinthians 13:13). Paul emphasizes that these works are performed "in the sight of God and our Father," reminding believers that their deeds matter eternally and are witnessed by God Himself.

Application: A pastoral heart gives thanks before giving correction. Do we practice genuine thanksgiving for believers' growth in Christ?

Verses 4–5: Divine Election and Gospel Power

Paul declares their "election of God"—a doctrine that caused them to be chosen before the foundation of the world for salvation in Christ. This is not arbitrary selection but God's sovereign grace at work. Paul then explains how he knows they are truly God's elect: the gospel came to them not as mere words but with transformative power. The Holy Ghost worked with power and full conviction (Greek plerophoria, meaning complete assurance). Paul's personal example—his conduct among them—gave credibility to his message. The apostle lived out the gospel he preached.

Application: True gospel ministry combines faithful proclamation with a godly life. Our character either validates or undermines our witness.

Verses 6–10: Faith Under Persecution and Witness

Despite receiving the gospel "in much affliction," the Thessalonians embraced it with the joy of the Holy Ghost. Their response was not temporary enthusiasm but genuine conversion: they became followers (imitators) of Paul and of the Lord Jesus. Their faith became visible and contagious—they became "ensamples" (examples) to believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia. So powerful was their witness that Paul heard constantly of their faith. The climax comes in verse 10: their faith includes waiting for Christ's return and trusting in His resurrection power to deliver them from God's coming wrath. This is the gospel in fullness—Jesus crucified, risen, returning, and our Savior.

Application: Believers who endure hardship with joy become powerful witnesses to Christ's reality and sufficiency.

Application for Today

Paul's opening commendation invites us to examine our own spiritual vitality. Do we demonstrate faith working through labor, love expressed in service, and hope that enables patience? Are we faithful witnesses whose changed lives draw others to Christ? Let us imitate the Thessalonians' courage and the apostle's example, living in conscious awareness that we belong to God and exist under His watchful, loving eye.

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