1 Thess 1:

[Note: Because it is sometimes difficult to follow the flow of a letter like this, we have added a synopsis of each chapter & passage to help clarify where Paul is going with his writing.]

• v.1 Greetings
• v.2-10 Thanksgiving for the Testimony of the Thessalonians

[Chapter Synopsis: Greetings and prayer reflecting the joy their memories of the Thessalonians’ response had brought to them.]   

v.1 Greetings

v.1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

[Note: It is from the 3 apostles.]

v.2-10 Thanksgiving for the Testimony of the Thessalonians

[Passage Synopsis: How you responded to us brings thanks every time we pray for you, the way the Spirit had worked and the clarity of your response which has gained renown.]

v.2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

v.3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

v.4,5 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

v.6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

v.7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

v.8-10 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell 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 – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

[Note: We thank God for you in our prayers constantly for we see the outworking of this faith, the way the Spirit powerfully brought conviction clearly shows God chose you. Despite opposition you welcomed the gospel, showing others the way to go, so everyone has heard of you and how you were converted.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: