1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Went out from you. Thessalonica became an important center for spreading the Good News. The effect of Christ on the Thessalonians created great interest among others. That we need to say. Wherever he went, he found the news of the church in Thessalonica was already well known! And how you turned away from idols to God. For a Gentile to accept Christ, he had to turn away from the worship of idols, reject a large part of his native society, clean up his life (1 Peter 4:3-5), and disbelieve most of what he had been taught was true. (Compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.) And to wait for his Son. The apostles had seen Jesus ascend to heaven. Since no one could know the time of his return, they waited expectantly! Note that Paul's preaching centered around Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:18). We should always be prepared for his coming! [Some think even the apostles thought Jesus would come while they were still alive. However, it is clear that Paul expected a final rebellion before Jesus would Come Again (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This implies the apostles knew that it would be some time until Christ returns.]