1 Thessalonians 1:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

NIV: 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,

NASB: For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

CSB: for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

NLT: for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.

KJV: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

NKJV: For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Paul has been hearing good news about the Thessalonian Christians from many people. Perhaps the Thessalonian Christians had visited their seaport and shared the gospel with sailors. Likely they had also shared the gospel with travelers on the highway that ran through their city. As a result of their faithful sharing the good news about Christ, a number of sailors and travelers had trusted in Christ and had subsequently spread the gospel to near and far destinations. In doing so they must have spoken about the faith of the Thessalonians.

After their conversion to Christ, these Thessalonians abandoned their pagan ways. They no longer worshiped idols. Now they worshiped and served the true God who lives eternally. The practice of idolatry stands in stark contrast to the worship of the living and true God, but was prevalent in the first century. The apostle John issued a clear warning to Christians: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).

First Thessalonians 1:4–10 expresses Paul's confidence in the fact that God had saved his readers. He presents convincing evidence that they belong to God. He recalls how they had responded when they first heard the gospel, what kind of individuals they had become as a result of believing the gospel, and how effectively they had spread the gospel. He sums up their experience as having left paganism behind to serve God and to look forward to Jesus' return.

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 6:57:58 PM