1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

The Reception the Thessalonians Gave the Gospel

Paul indicated his attitude toward others following him in 1 Corinthians 11:1. He only wanted others to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Peter 2:21). So, it should not surprise us that he said the brethren at Thessalonica, "became followers of us and of the Lord." Unfortunately, they also had to endure almost immediate persecution after they became Christians (Acts 17:5-9). They not only endured such, but rejoiced. That is not a normal reaction. With the Holy Spirit's help, they were able to rejoice in times of affliction (Hebrews 12:2; Acts 5:41). Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit and can be seen in a number of lives in scripture (Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 8:39; Acts 16:23-25; Acts 16:34).

At the time of Paul's writing, Greece was divided into two areas, Macedonia and Achaia. The faith of the brethren at Thessalonica, especially as shown through joy during times of suffering, had been an example to both of these areas as well as all other places that had news from Thessalonica. This was because their lives, as directed by the word of God, had sounded out like a trumpet. As a crossroads and commercial center, Thessalonica was an ideal place for faithful Christians to live. When Paul said their faith had gone out, he used the perfect tense which would literally mean reports of their faith had gone out and continued to go out (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8).