1 Thessalonians 1:9

how ye turned

The tenses of the believer's life here indicated are logical and give the true order. They occur also in (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols";

(compare (John 6:28); (John 6:29).

The "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God"; and

The "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven".

(compare (Matthew 24:42); (Matthew 25:13); (Luke 12:36); (Acts 1:11); (Philippians 3:20); (Philippians 3:21).

Paul repeats this threefold sequence in (Titus 2:11).