1 Thessalonians 1:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

NIV: We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

NASB: We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

CSB: We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.

NLT: We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.

KJV: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

NKJV: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

In this verse Paul assures his readers that he, Silvanus, and Timothy were praying for them. They were praying for all the Thessalonian Christians with thanksgiving as they mentioned them constantly in their prayers. They were a source of joy to Paul and his team members. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 he asks, "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?" He answers his question by citing the Thessalonian believers: "Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy." The apostle John, too, was filled with joy upon hearing that believers, whom he called "his children," were "walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4).

Paul's New Testament letters reveal that he prayed for believers consistently, with thanksgiving. He specifically asked God to empower them to know and do His will. Paul thanked God for the Corinthians because they had received the grace of God (1 Corinthians 1:4). He gave thanks constantly for the Ephesians because of their faith and love for all their fellow Christians (Ephesians 1:15–16) He gave thanks for the Philippians because of their ongoing partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3–5). And he gave thanks for the Colossians because of their faith and love for all their fellow believers (Colossians 1:3–4).

First Thessalonians 1:1–3 identifies the writer as Paul, along with two missionary companions, Silvanus and Timothy, as he addresses the church at Thessalonica. Paul sends his greetings and expresses his gratitude for the way his readers were responding to the gospel. He specifically mentions three excellent qualities his readers exhibited: their work of faith, their labor of love, and their steadfastness of hope. The believers demonstrated the pattern of grace that Paul describes in Ephesians 2:8–10. God's grace had saved them when they put their faith in Christ instead of endeavoring to be saved by their own efforts, and the same grace had produced in them the good works God had intended to produce in their lives.

First Thessalonians 1 records the apostle Paul's greetings to the Christians at Thessalonica. Thessalonica was the second city Paul preached in, after receiving a call to present the gospel in Macedonia. Philippi was the first city in Europe to receive the gospel from Paul. Both churches received a letter from Paul, but 1 Thessalonians, written around AD 51, was among the earliest of Paul's New Testament letters. In the first chapter, he expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and gives a brief background of what had happened during his visit to their city. He commends them for their spread of the gospel, their exemplary faith, and their turning from idols to serve the true God and to wait for Jesus' return.

The first chapter of 1 Thessalonians is mostly praise for these believers, from the apostle Paul. Paul is clearly delighted to hear that they have grown in their faith and begun to spread the gospel. Chapter two will continue reminding the Thessalonians about their prior experiences with Paul, and it includes more of his praise for their excellent efforts. Later chapters will address the questions lingering in the minds of these passionate Christians. Of particular interest, among these, are concerns related to the return of Christ. Paul will also address some areas where the church needs to improve, spiritually.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.