1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Chapter 1
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The gospel we brought you was not just in words. Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of blessings were given to you. You also know how we dealt with you, for your benefit.
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In return, you became followers of us and of the Lord, when you received the word and experienced joy from the Holy Spirit despite great opposition.
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And you became a model for the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
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The word of the Lord has spread from you to Macedonia and Achaia, and beyond. The faith you have in God is well known in many places, so we need not say more.
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Others tell how you welcomed us and turned from idols to the Lord. For you serve the living and true God,
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and you await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from upcoming trouble.
Commentaries
Thanksgiving.
Paul’s remembrance of his communities is always connected to prayer and gratitude for them. The “fruit of the gospel” that the Apostle reminds them of is their joyful acceptance of his preaching and witness “amid severe trials” (6). Paul then briefly summarizes what this initial preaching involved, which resulted in the conversion of the Thessalonians, for which he gives thanks to God: abandoning idols to follow the living God and entering into the hope of Jesus’ coming, “who rescues us from upcoming trouble” (10). This hope for Christ’s return at the end of time will be a central theme of the letter.