1 Thessalonians 1:8

ἡ πίστις … ἐξελ. (Romans 10:18), by anacoluthon, reiterates for emphasis ἀφʼ ὑμῶν … κυρίου (ὁ λόγος τ. Κ. depending for its effectiveness on the definite testimony of Christians). Paul is dictating loosely but graphically. The touch of hyperbole is pardonable and characteristic (cf. Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:6); but the geographical and commercial position of Thessalonica see Introd., p. 5) must have offered ample facilities for the rapid dissemination of news and the promulgation of the faith, north and south, throughout European Greece (Encycl. Bibl., i. 32). The local Christians had taken full advantage of their natural opportunities. Through their imitation of the apostles (see Introd., p. 7) and of Christ (here as in 1 Peter 2:19-21, in his sufferings), they had become a pattern for others. The ἐν τῇ is omitted before Ἀχαίᾳ here because Μ. and Α. are grouped together, over against π. τ. ὥστε … γάρ, the reputation of the apostles rested upon solid evidence.