What does 1 Thessalonians 1:5 mean?
When the good news of salvation first reached the Thessalonians, they received it as God's message for them and not merely as human philosophy. The Holy Spirit powerfully drove home the gospel to their hearts, and the holy conduct of the messengers strengthened the conviction that the gospel was true.Paul likewise testified to the Corinthians that his conduct, and that of his coworkers, was above reproach and passed the test of God's sight. Their preaching delivered the unadulterated Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:1–2). This pattern of receiving God's grace and reflecting its transforming power is consistent with what the Holy Spirit does in the heart of everyone who believes on Christ. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and He glorifies the Lord in the lives of those who believe (John 16:8–11, 14; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit uses the inspired Word of God to make believers the illustrated Word (Galatians 5:16, 22–23; Ephesians 5:18–21; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–23).