1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

Thanking God for the Thessalonians

When Paul prayed, he thanked God for all of the brethren at Thessalonica. He knew the persecution that church had endured almost from its beginning, so he may have been thankful both for their conversion and steadfastness. He certainly was thankful for them because he constantly remembered their faith, love and hope. Those three words are used together in other portions of the apostle's writings (1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 1:3-5; Romans 5:1-5). Notice that the Thessalonian brethren had a faith that worked (James 2:17; Galatians 5:6). Their love of God and their fellowmen was displayed in untiring works in behalf of them. The brethren did not stop working because of the hope of heaven. Shepherd says the word patience describes "endurance in toil or trial." Paul reminded the church that all its actions were visible to the allseeing eye of God our heavenly Father (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Those who displayed a true love for God by following His will were, as a group, chosen of God before the world began (Ephesians 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:9-11). Those answering the gospel call were described by Paul as God's elect, another description of those chosen (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). The words "our gospel" may refer merely to the good news Paul, Silas and Timothy preached among them, or to that which all the apostles preached. Really, either is true because they are one and the same (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). It was proven to be the word of God by the powerful working of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:9; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2-4). Further, Paul and his companions kept the truth out of the field of controversy by conducting themselves in an exemplary manner. As is seen later in this letter, the apostles even worked at physical jobs so they would not burden young converts with the expense of supporting them (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).