1 Thessalonians 1:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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³ Remembering ^G3421 without ceasing ^G89 your ^G5216 work ^G2041 of faith, ^G4102 and ^G2532 labour ^G2873 of love, ^G26 and ^G2532 patience ^G5281 of hope ^G1680 in our ^G2257 Lord ^G2962 Jesus ^G2424 Christ, ^G5547 in the sight ^G1715 of God ^G2316 and ^G2532 our ^G2257 Father; ^G3962

Cross Reference

Romans 8:24-25 STRONG

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For ^G1063 we are saved ^G4982 by hope: ^G1680 but ^G1161 hope ^G1680 that is seen ^G991 is ^G2076 not ^G3756 hope: ^G1680 for ^G1063 what ^G3739 a man ^G5100 seeth, ^G991 why ^G5101 doth he ^G1679 yet ^G2532 hope for? ^G1679 But ^G1161 if ^G1487 we hope ^G1679 for that ^G3739 we see ^G991 not, ^G3756 then do we ^G553 with ^G1223 patience ^G5281 wait for ^G553 it.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 STRONG

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For this ^G5124 cause ^G1223 also ^G2532 thank ^G2168 we ^G2249 God ^G2316 without ceasing, ^G89 because, ^G3754 when ye received ^G3880 the word ^G3056 of God ^G2316 which ye heard ^G189 of ^G3844 us, ^G2257 ye received ^G1209 it not ^G3756 as the word ^G3056 of men, ^G444 but ^G235 as ^G2531 it is ^G2076 in truth, ^G230 the word ^G3056 of God, ^G2316 which ^G3739 effectually worketh ^G1754 also ^G2532 in ^G1722 you ^G5213 that believe. ^G4100 For ^G1063 ye, ^G5210 brethren, ^G80 became ^G1096 followers ^G3402 of the churches ^G1577 of God ^G2316 which ^G3588 in ^G1722 Judaea ^G2449 are ^G5607 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus: ^G2424 for ^G3754 ye ^G5210 also ^G2532 have suffered ^G3958 like things ^G5024 of ^G5259 your own ^G2398 countrymen, ^G4853 even ^G2532 as ^G2531 they have ^G846 of ^G5259 the Jews: ^G2453

2 Timothy 1:3-5 STRONG

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I thank ^G2192 ^G5485 God, ^G2316 whom ^G3739 I serve ^G3000 from ^G575 my forefathers ^G4269 with ^G1722 pure ^G2513 conscience, ^G4893 that ^G5613 without ceasing ^G88 I have ^G2192 remembrance ^G3417 of ^G4012 thee ^G4675 in ^G1722 my ^G3450 prayers ^G1162 night ^G3571 and ^G2532 day; ^G2250 Greatly desiring ^G1971 to see ^G1492 thee, ^G4571 being mindful ^G3415 of thy ^G4675 tears, ^G1144 that ^G2443 I may be filled ^G4137 with joy; ^G5479 When I call ^G2983 to remembrance ^G5280 the unfeigned ^G505 faith ^G4102 that is in ^G1722 thee, ^G4671 which ^G3748 dwelt ^G1774 first ^G4412 in ^G1722 thy ^G4675 grandmother ^G3125 Lois, ^G3090 and ^G2532 thy ^G4675 mother ^G3384 Eunice; ^G2131 and ^G1161 I am persuaded ^G3982 that ^G3754 in ^G1722 thee ^G4671 also. ^G2532

Philemon 1:5-7 STRONG

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Hearing ^G191 of thy ^G4675 love ^G26 and ^G2532 faith, ^G4102 which ^G3739 thou hast ^G2192 toward ^G4314 the Lord ^G2962 Jesus, ^G2424 and ^G2532 toward ^G1519 all ^G3956 saints; ^G40 That ^G3704 the communication ^G2842 of thy ^G4675 faith ^G4102 may become ^G1096 effectual ^G1756 by ^G1722 the acknowledging ^G1922 of every ^G3956 good thing ^G18 which ^G3588 is in ^G1722 you ^G5213 in ^G1519 Christ ^G5547 Jesus. ^G2424 For ^G1063 we have ^G2192 great ^G4183 joy ^G5485 and ^G2532 consolation ^G3874 in ^G1909 thy ^G4675 love, ^G26 because ^G3754 the bowels ^G4698 of the saints ^G40 are refreshed ^G373 by ^G1223 thee, ^G4675 brother. ^G80

Hebrews 6:10-11 STRONG

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For ^G1063 God ^G2316 is not ^G3756 unrighteous ^G94 to forget ^G1950 your ^G5216 work ^G2041 and ^G2532 labour ^G2873 of love, ^G26 which ^G3739 ye have shewed ^G1731 ^G1731 toward ^G1519 his ^G846 name, ^G3686 in that ye have ministered ^G1247 to the saints, ^G40 and ^G2532 do minister. ^G1247 And ^G1161 we desire ^G1937 that every one ^G1538 of you ^G5216 do shew ^G1731 the same ^G846 diligence ^G4710 to ^G4314 the full assurance ^G4136 of hope ^G1680 unto ^G891 the end: ^G5056

Hebrews 11:7-8 STRONG

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By faith ^G4102 Noah, ^G3575 being warned of God ^G5537 of ^G4012 things not ^G3369 seen ^G991 as yet, ^G3369 moved with fear, ^G2125 prepared ^G2680 an ark ^G2787 to ^G1519 the saving ^G4991 of his ^G846 house; ^G3624 by ^G1223 the which ^G3739 he condemned ^G2632 the world, ^G2889 and ^G2532 became ^G1096 heir ^G2818 of the righteousness ^G1343 which is by ^G2596 faith. ^G4102 By faith ^G4102 Abraham, ^G11 when he was called ^G2564 to go out ^G1831 into ^G1519 a place ^G5117 which ^G3739 he should after ^G3195 receive ^G2983 for ^G1519 an inheritance, ^G2817 obeyed; ^G5219 and ^G2532 he went out, ^G1831 not ^G3361 knowing ^G1987 whither ^G4226 he went. ^G2064

Hebrews 11:24-34 STRONG

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By faith ^G4102 Moses, ^G3475 when he was come ^G1096 to years, ^G3173 refused ^G720 to be called ^G3004 the son ^G5207 of Pharaoh's ^G5328 daughter; ^G2364 Choosing ^G138 rather ^G3123 to suffer affliction ^G4778 with the people ^G2992 of God, ^G2316 than ^G2228 to enjoy the pleasures ^G2192 ^G619 of sin ^G266 for a season; ^G4340 Esteeming ^G2233 the reproach ^G3680 of Christ ^G5547 greater ^G3187 riches ^G4149 than ^G2233 the treasures ^G2344 in ^G1722 Egypt: ^G125 for ^G1063 he had respect ^G578 unto ^G1519 the recompence of the reward. ^G3405 By faith ^G4102 he forsook ^G2641 Egypt, ^G125 not ^G3361 fearing ^G5399 the wrath ^G2372 of the king: ^G935 for ^G1063 he endured, ^G2594 as ^G5613 seeing ^G3708 him who is invisible. ^G517 Through faith ^G4102 he kept ^G4160 the passover, ^G3957 and ^G2532 the sprinkling ^G4378 of blood, ^G129 lest ^G3363 he that destroyed ^G3645 the firstborn ^G4416 should touch ^G2345 them. ^G846 By faith ^G4102 they passed through ^G1224 the Red ^G2063 sea ^G2281 as ^G5613 by ^G1223 dry ^G3584 land: which ^G3739 the Egyptians ^G124 assaying ^G3984 to do ^G2983 were drowned. ^G2666 By faith ^G4102 the walls ^G5038 of Jericho ^G2410 fell down, ^G4098 after they were compassed ^G2944 about ^G1909 seven ^G2033 days. ^G2250 By faith ^G4102 the harlot ^G4204 Rahab ^G4460 perished ^G4881 not ^G3756 with them that believed not, ^G544 when she had received ^G1209 the spies ^G2685 with ^G3326 peace. ^G1515 And ^G2532 what ^G5101 shall I ^G3004 more ^G2089 say? ^G3004 for ^G1063 the time ^G5550 would fail ^G1952 me ^G3165 to tell ^G1334 of ^G4012 Gedeon, ^G1066 and ^G5037 of Barak, ^G913 and ^G2532 of Samson, ^G4546 and ^G2532 of Jephthae; ^G2422 of David ^G1138 also, ^G2532 and ^G5037 Samuel, ^G4545 and ^G2532 of the prophets: ^G4396 Who ^G3739 through ^G1223 faith ^G4102 subdued ^G2610 kingdoms, ^G932 wrought ^G2038 righteousness, ^G1343 obtained ^G2013 promises, ^G1860 stopped ^G5420 the mouths ^G4750 of lions, ^G3023 Quenched ^G4570 the violence ^G1411 of fire, ^G4442 escaped ^G5343 the edge ^G4750 of the sword, ^G3162 out of ^G575 weakness ^G769 were made strong, ^G1743 waxed ^G1096 valiant ^G2478 in ^G1722 fight, ^G4171 turned to flight ^G2827 the armies ^G3925 of the aliens. ^G245

James 1:3-4 STRONG

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Knowing ^G1097 this, that ^G3754 the trying ^G1383 of your ^G5216 faith ^G4102 worketh ^G2716 patience. ^G5281 But ^G1161 let ^G2192 patience ^G5281 have ^G2192 her perfect ^G5046 work, ^G2041 that ^G2443 ye may be ^G5600 perfect ^G5046 and ^G2532 entire, ^G3648 wanting ^G3007 nothing. ^G1722 ^G3367

James 2:17-26 STRONG

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Even ^G2532 so ^G3779 faith, ^G4102 if ^G3362 it hath ^G2192 not ^G3362 works, ^G2041 is ^G2076 dead, ^G3498 being alone. ^G2596 ^G1438 Yea, ^G235 a man ^G5100 may say, ^G2046 Thou ^G4771 hast ^G2192 faith, ^G4102 and I ^G2504 have ^G2192 works: ^G2041 shew ^G1166 me ^G3427 thy ^G4675 faith ^G4102 without ^G1537 thy ^G4675 works, ^G2041 and I ^G2504 will shew ^G1166 thee ^G4671 my ^G3450 faith ^G4102 by ^G1537 my ^G3450 works. ^G2041 Thou ^G4771 believest ^G4100 that ^G3754 there is ^G2076 one ^G1520 God; ^G2316 thou doest ^G4160 well: ^G2573 the devils ^G1140 also ^G2532 believe, ^G4100 and ^G2532 tremble. ^G5425 But ^G1161 wilt ^G2309 thou know, ^G1097 O ^G5599 vain ^G2756 man, ^G444 that ^G3754 faith ^G4102 without ^G5565 works ^G2041 is ^G2076 dead? ^G3498 Was ^G1344 not ^G3756 Abraham ^G11 our ^G2257 father ^G3962 justified ^G1344 by ^G1537 works, ^G2041 when he had offered ^G399 Isaac ^G2464 his ^G846 son ^G5207 upon ^G1909 the altar? ^G2379 Seest thou ^G991 how ^G3754 faith ^G4102 wrought ^G4903 with his ^G846 works, ^G2041 and ^G2532 by ^G1537 works ^G2041 was ^G5048 faith ^G4102 made perfect? ^G5048 And ^G2532 the scripture ^G1124 was fulfilled ^G4137 which saith, ^G3004 ^G1161 Abraham ^G11 believed ^G4100 God, ^G2316 and ^G2532 it was imputed ^G3049 unto him ^G846 for ^G1519 righteousness: ^G1343 and ^G2532 he was called ^G2564 the Friend ^G5384 of God. ^G2316 Ye see ^G3708 then ^G5106 how that ^G3754 by ^G1537 works ^G2041 a man ^G444 is justified, ^G1344 and ^G2532 not ^G3756 by ^G1537 faith ^G4102 only. ^G3440 Likewise ^G3668 ^G1161 also ^G2532 was ^G1344 not ^G3756 Rahab ^G4460 the harlot ^G4204 justified ^G1344 by ^G1537 works, ^G2041 when she had received ^G5264 the messengers, ^G32 and ^G2532 had sent them out ^G1544 another ^G2087 way? ^G3598 For ^G1063 as ^G5618 the body ^G4983 without ^G5565 the spirit ^G4151 is ^G2076 dead, ^G3498 so ^G3779 faith ^G4102 without ^G5565 works ^G2041 is ^G2076 dead ^G3498 also. ^G2532

James 5:7-8 STRONG

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Be patient ^G3114 therefore, ^G3767 brethren, ^G80 unto ^G2193 the coming ^G3952 of the Lord. ^G2962 Behold, ^G2400 the husbandman ^G1092 waiteth ^G1551 for the precious ^G5093 fruit ^G2590 of the earth, ^G1093 and hath long patience ^G3114 for ^G1909 it, ^G846 until ^G2193 ^G302 he receive ^G2983 the early ^G4406 and ^G2532 latter ^G3797 rain. ^G5205 Be ^G3114 ye ^G5210 also ^G2532 patient; ^G3114 stablish ^G4741 your ^G5216 hearts: ^G2588 for ^G3754 the coming ^G3952 of the Lord ^G2962 draweth nigh. ^G1448

John 6:27-29 STRONG

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Labour ^G2038 not ^G3361 for the meat ^G1035 which ^G3588 perisheth, ^G622 but ^G235 for that meat ^G1035 which ^G3588 endureth ^G3306 unto ^G1519 everlasting ^G166 life, ^G2222 which ^G3739 the Son ^G5207 of man ^G444 shall give ^G1325 unto you: ^G5213 for ^G1063 him ^G5126 hath ^G4972 God ^G2316 the Father ^G3962 sealed. ^G4972 Then ^G3767 said they ^G2036 unto ^G4314 him, ^G846 What ^G5101 shall we do, ^G4160 ^G4160 that ^G2443 we might work ^G2038 the works ^G2041 of God? ^G2316 Jesus ^G2424 answered ^G611 and ^G2532 said ^G2036 unto them, ^G846 This ^G5124 is ^G2076 the work ^G2041 of God, ^G2316 that ^G2443 ye believe ^G4100 on ^G1519 him ^G3739 whom ^G1565 he hath sent. ^G649

John 14:21-23 STRONG

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He that hath ^G2192 my ^G3450 commandments, ^G1785 and ^G2532 keepeth ^G5083 them, ^G846 he ^G1565 it is ^G2076 that loveth ^G25 me: ^G3165 and ^G1161 he that loveth ^G25 me ^G3165 shall be loved ^G25 of ^G5259 my ^G3450 Father, ^G3962 and ^G2532 I ^G1473 will love ^G25 him, ^G846 and ^G2532 will manifest ^G1718 myself ^G1683 to him. ^G846 Judas ^G2455 saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 not ^G3756 Iscariot, ^G2469 Lord, ^G2962 how ^G5101 is it ^G1096 that ^G3754 thou wilt ^G3195 manifest ^G1718 thyself ^G4572 unto us, ^G2254 and ^G2532 not ^G3780 unto the world? ^G2889 Jesus ^G2424 answered ^G611 and ^G2532 said ^G2036 unto him, ^G846 If ^G1437 a man ^G5100 love ^G25 me, ^G3165 he will keep ^G5083 my ^G3450 words: ^G3056 and ^G2532 my ^G3450 Father ^G3962 will love ^G25 him, ^G846 and ^G2532 we will come ^G2064 unto ^G4314 him, ^G846 and ^G2532 make ^G4160 our abode ^G3438 with ^G3844 him. ^G846

John 21:15-17 STRONG

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So ^G3767 when ^G3753 they had dined, ^G709 Jesus ^G2424 saith ^G3004 to Simon ^G4613 Peter, ^G4074 Simon, ^G4613 son of Jonas, ^G2495 lovest thou ^G25 me ^G3165 more than ^G4119 these? ^G5130 He saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 Yea, ^G3483 Lord; ^G2962 thou ^G4771 knowest ^G1492 that ^G3754 I love ^G5368 thee. ^G4571 He saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 Feed ^G1006 my ^G3450 lambs. ^G721 He saith ^G3004 to him ^G846 again ^G3825 the second time, ^G1208 Simon, ^G4613 son of Jonas, ^G2495 lovest thou ^G25 me? ^G3165 He saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 Yea, ^G3483 Lord; ^G2962 thou ^G4771 knowest ^G1492 that ^G3754 I love ^G5368 thee. ^G4571 He saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 Feed ^G4165 my ^G3450 sheep. ^G4263 He saith ^G3004 unto him ^G846 the third ^G5154 time, Simon, ^G4613 son of Jonas, ^G2495 lovest ^G5368 thou me? ^G3165 Peter ^G4074 was grieved ^G3076 because ^G3754 he said ^G2036 unto him ^G846 the third ^G5154 time, Lovest ^G5368 thou me? ^G3165 And ^G2532 he said ^G2036 unto him, ^G846 Lord, ^G2962 thou ^G4771 knowest ^G1492 all things; ^G3956 thou ^G4771 knowest ^G1097 that ^G3754 I love ^G5368 thee. ^G4571 Jesus ^G2424 saith ^G3004 unto him, ^G846 Feed ^G1006 my ^G3450 sheep. ^G4263

Romans 5:3-5 STRONG

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And ^G1161 not ^G3756 only ^G3440 so, but ^G235 we glory ^G2744 in ^G1722 tribulations ^G2347 also: ^G2532 knowing ^G1492 that ^G3754 tribulation ^G2347 worketh ^G2716 patience; ^G5281 And ^G1161 patience, ^G5281 experience; ^G1382 and ^G1161 experience, ^G1382 hope: ^G1680 And ^G1161 hope ^G1680 maketh ^G2617 not ^G3756 ashamed; ^G2617 because ^G3754 the love ^G26 of God ^G2316 is shed abroad ^G1632 in ^G1722 our ^G2257 hearts ^G2588 by ^G1223 the Holy ^G40 Ghost ^G4151 which ^G3588 is given ^G1325 unto us. ^G2254

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 STRONG

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Charity ^G26 suffereth long, ^G3114 and is kind; ^G5541 charity ^G26 envieth ^G2206 not; ^G3756 charity ^G26 vaunteth ^G4068 not ^G3756 itself, ^G4068 is ^G5448 not ^G3756 puffed up, ^G5448 Doth ^G807 not ^G3756 behave itself unseemly, ^G807 seeketh ^G2212 not ^G3756 her own, ^G1438 is ^G3947 not ^G3756 easily provoked, ^G3947 thinketh ^G3049 no ^G3756 evil; ^G2556 Rejoiceth ^G5463 not ^G3756 in ^G1909 iniquity, ^G93 but ^G1161 rejoiceth ^G4796 in the truth; ^G225 Beareth ^G4722 all things, ^G3956 believeth ^G4100 all things, ^G3956 hopeth ^G1679 all things, ^G3956 endureth ^G5278 all things. ^G3956

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 STRONG

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For ^G1063 the love ^G26 of Christ ^G5547 constraineth ^G4912 us; ^G2248 because we thus ^G5124 judge, ^G2919 that ^G3754 if ^G1487 one ^G1520 died ^G599 for ^G5228 all, ^G3956 then ^G686 were ^G599 all ^G3956 dead: ^G599 And ^G2532 that he died ^G599 for ^G5228 all, ^G3956 that ^G2443 they which live ^G2198 should ^G2198 not henceforth ^G3371 live ^G2198 unto themselves, ^G1438 but ^G235 unto him which died ^G599 for ^G5228 them, ^G846 and ^G2532 rose again. ^G1453

2 Corinthians 8:7-9 STRONG

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Therefore, ^G235 as ^G5618 ye abound ^G4052 in ^G1722 every ^G3956 thing, in faith, ^G4102 and ^G2532 utterance, ^G3056 and ^G2532 knowledge, ^G1108 and ^G2532 in all ^G3956 diligence, ^G4710 and ^G2532 in your ^G5216 love ^G26 ^G1537 to ^G1722 us, ^G2254 see that ^G2443 ye abound ^G4052 in ^G1722 this ^G5026 grace ^G5485 also. ^G2532 I speak ^G3004 not ^G3756 by ^G2596 commandment, ^G2003 but ^G235 by occasion ^G1223 of the forwardness ^G4710 of others, ^G2087 and ^G2532 to prove ^G1381 the sincerity ^G1103 of your ^G5212 love. ^G26 For ^G1063 ye know ^G1097 the grace ^G5485 of our ^G2257 Lord ^G2962 Jesus ^G2424 Christ, ^G5547 that, ^G3754 though he was ^G5607 rich, ^G4145 yet for ^G1223 your ^G5209 sakes ^G1223 he became poor, ^G4433 that ^G2443 ye ^G5210 through his ^G1565 poverty ^G4432 might be rich. ^G4147

Revelation 2:2-4 STRONG

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I know ^G1492 thy ^G4675 works, ^G2041 and ^G2532 thy ^G4675 labour, ^G2873 and ^G2532 thy ^G4675 patience, ^G5281 and ^G2532 how ^G3754 thou canst ^G1410 not ^G3756 bear ^G941 them which are evil: ^G2556 and ^G2532 thou hast tried ^G3985 them which say ^G5335 they are ^G1511 apostles, ^G652 and ^G2532 are ^G1526 not, ^G3756 and ^G2532 hast found ^G2147 them ^G846 liars: ^G5571 And ^G2532 hast borne, ^G941 and ^G2532 hast ^G2192 patience, ^G5281 and ^G2532 for ^G1223 my ^G3450 name's sake ^G1223 ^G3686 hast laboured, ^G2872 and ^G2532 hast ^G2577 not ^G3756 fainted. ^G2577 Nevertheless ^G235 I have ^G2192 somewhat against ^G2596 thee, ^G4675 because ^G3754 thou hast left ^G863 thy ^G4675 first ^G4413 love. ^G26

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 1

After the introduction (v. 1) the apostle begins with a thanksgiving to God for the saving benefits bestowed on them (v. 2-5). And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places (v. 6-10).

1Th 1:1

In this introduction we have,

I. The inscription, where we have,
- 1. The persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written. Paul was the inspired apostle and writer of this epistle, though he makes no mention of his apostleship, which was not doubted of by the Thessalonians, nor opposed by any false apostle among them. He joins Silvanus (or Silas) and Timotheus with himself (who had now come to him with an account of the prosperity of the churches in Macedonia), which shows this great apostle's humility, and how desirous he was to put honour upon the ministers of Christ who were of an inferior rank and standing. A good example this is to such ministers as are of greater abilities and reputation in the church than some others.
- 2. The persons to whom this epistle is written, namely, the church of the Thessalonians, the converted Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica; and it is observable that this church is said to be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ; they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Jn. 1:3. They were a Christian church, because they believed in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. They believed the principles both of natural and revealed religion. The Gentiles among them were turned to God from idols, and the Jews among them believed Jesus to be the promised Messias. All of them were devoted and dedicated to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: to God as their chief good and highest end, to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Mediator between God and man. God the Father is the original centre of all natural religion; and Jesus Christ is the author and centre of all revealed religion. You believe in God, says our Saviour, believe also in me. Jn. 14:1.
II. The salutation or apostolical benediction: Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the same for substance as in the other epistles. Grace and peace are well joined together; for the free grace or favour of God is the spring or fountain of all the peace and prosperity we do or can enjoy; and where there are gracious dispositions in us we may hope for peaceful thoughts in our own breasts; both grace and peace, and all spiritual blessings, come to us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; from God the original of all good, and from the Lord Jesus the purchaser of all good for us; from God in Christ, and so our Father in covenant, because he is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note, As all good comes from God, so no good can be hoped for by sinners but from God in Christ. And the best good may be expected from God as our Father for the sake of Christ.

1Th 1:2-5

I. The apostle begins with thanksgiving to God. Being about to mention the things that were matter of joy to him, and highly praiseworthy in them, and greatly for their advantage, he chooses to do this by way of thanksgiving to God, who is the author of all that good that comes to us, or is done by us, at any time. God is the object of all religious worship, of prayer and praise. And thanksgiving to God is a great duty, to be performed always or constantly; even when we do not actually give thanks to God by our words, we should have a grateful sense of God's goodness upon our minds. Thanksgiving should be often repeated; and not only should we be thankful for the favours we ourselves receive, but for the benefits bestowed on others also, upon our fellow-creatures and fellow-christians. The apostle gave thanks not only for those who were his most intimate friends, or most eminently favoured of God, but for them all.
II. He joined prayer with his praise or thanksgiving. When we in every thing by prayer and supplication make our requests known to God, we should join thanksgiving therewith, Phil. 4:6. So when we give thanks for any benefit we receive we should join prayer. We should pray always and without ceasing, and should pray not only for ourselves, but for others also, for our friends, and should make mention of them in our prayers. We may sometimes mention their names, and should make mention of their case and condition; at least, we should have their persons and circumstances in our minds, remembering them without ceasing. Note, As there is much that we ought to be thankful for on the behalf of ourselves and our friends, so there is much occasion of constant prayer for further supplies of good.
III. He mentions the particulars for which he was so thankful to God; namely,
- 1. The saving benefits bestowed on them. These were the grounds and reasons of his thanksgiving.
  - (1.) Their faith and their work of faith. Their faith he tells them (v. 8) was very famous, and spread abroad. This is the radical grace; and their faith was a true and living faith, because a working faith. Note, Wherever there is a true faith, it will work: it will have an influence upon heart and life; it will put us upon working for God and for our own salvation. We have comfort in our own faith and the faith of others when we perceive the work of faith. Show me thy faith by thy works, Jam. 2:18.
  - (2.) Their love and labour of love. Love is one of the cardinal graces; it is of great use to us in this life and will remain and be perfected in the life to come. Faith works by love; it shows itself in the exercise of love to God and love to our neighbour; as love will show itself by labour, it will put us upon taking pains in religion.
  - (3.) Their hope and the patience of hope. We are saved by hope. This grace is compared to the soldier's helmet and sailor's anchor, and is of great use in times of danger. Wherever there is a well-grounded hope of eternal life, it will appear by the exercise of patience; in a patient bearing of the calamities of the present time and a patient waiting for the glory to be revealed. For, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it, Rom. 8:25.
- 2. The apostle not only mentions these three cardinal graces, faith, hope and love, but also takes notice,
  - (1.) Of the object and efficient cause of these graces, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ.
  - (2.) Of the sincerity of them: being in the sight of God even our Father. The great motive to sincerity is the apprehension of God's eye as always upon us; and it is a sign of sincerity when in all we do we endeavour to approve ourselves to God, and that is right which is so in the sight of God. Then is the work of faith, or labour of love, or patience of hope, sincere, when it is done under the eye of God.
  - (3.) He mentions the fountain whence these graces flow, namely, God's electing love: Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, v. 4. Thus he runs up these streams to the fountain, and that was God's eternal election. Some by their election of God would understand only the temporary separation of the Thessalonians from the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles in their conversion; but this was according to the eternal purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will, Eph. 1:11. Speaking of their election, he calls them, brethren beloved; for the original of the brotherhood that is between Christians and the relation wherein they stand one to another is election. And it is a good reason why we should love one another, because we are all beloved of God, and were beloved of him in his counsels when there was not any thing in us to merit his love. The election of these Thessalonians was known to the apostles, and therefore might be known to themselves, and that by the fruits and effects thereof-their sincere faith, and hope, and love, by the successful preaching of the gospel among them. Observe,
    - [1.] All those who in the fulness of time are effectually called and sanctified were from eternity elected and chosen to salvation.
    - [2.] The election of God is of his own good pleasure and mere grace, not for the sake of any merit in those who are chosen.
    - [3.] The election of God may be known by the fruits thereof.
    - [4.] Whenever we are giving thanks to God for his grace either to ourselves or others, we should run up the streams to the fountain, and give thanks to God for his electing love, by which we are made to differ.
- 3. Another ground or reason of the apostle's thanksgiving is the success of his ministry among them. He was thankful on his own account as well as theirs, that he had not laboured in vain. He had the seal and evidence of his apostleship hereby, and great encouragement in his labours and sufferings. Their ready acceptance and entertainment of the gospel he preached to them were an evidence of their being elected and beloved of God. It was in this way that he knew their election. It is true he had been in the third heavens; but he had not searched the records of eternity, and found their election there, but knew this by the success of the gospel among them (v. 5), and he takes notice with thankfulness,
  - (1.) That the gospel came to them also not in word only, but in power; they not only heard the sound of it, but submitted to the power of it. It did not merely tickle the ear and please the fancy, not merely fill their heads with notions and amuse their minds for awhile, but it affected their hearts: a divine power went along with it for convincing their consciences and amending their lives. Note, By this we may know our election, if we not only speak of the things of God by rote as parrots, but feel the influence of these things in our hearts, mortifying our lusts, weaning us from the world, and raising us up to heavenly things.
  - (2.) It came in the Holy Ghost, that is, with the powerful energy of the divine Spirit. Note, Wherever the gospel comes in power, it is to be attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost; and unless the Spirit of God accompany the word of God, to render it effectual by his power, it will be to us but as a dead letter; and the letter killeth, it is the Spirit that giveth life.
  - (3.) The gospel came to them in much assurance. Thus did they entertain it by the power of the Holy Ghost. They were fully convinced of the truth of it, so as not to be easily shaken in mind by objections and doubts; they were willing to leave all for Christ, and to venture their souls and everlasting condition upon the verity of the gospel revelation. The word was not to them, like the sentiments of some philosophers about matters of opinion and doubtful speculation, but the object of their faith and assurance. Their faith was the evidence of things not seen; and the Thessalonians thus knew what manner of men the apostle and his fellow-labourers were among them, and what they did for their sake, and with what good success.

1Th 1:6-10

In these words we have the evidence of the apostle's success among the Thessalonians, which was notorious and famous in several places. For,

I. They were careful in their holy conversation to imitate the good examples of the apostles and ministers of Christ, v. 6. As the apostle took care to demean himself well, not only for his own credit's sake, but for the benefit of others, by a conversation suitable to his doctrine, that he might not pull down with one hand what he built up with the other, so the Thessalonians, who observed what manner of men they were among them, how their preaching and living were all of a piece, showed a conscientious care to be followers of them, or to imitate their good example. Herein they became also followers of the Lord, who is the perfect example we must strive to imitate; and we should be followers of others no further than they are followers of Christ, 1 Co. 11:1. The Thessalonians acted thus, notwithstanding their affliction, that much affliction which the apostles and themselves also were exposed to. They were willing to share in the sufferings that attended the embracing and professing of Christianity. They entertained the gospel, notwithstanding the troubles and hardships which attended the preachers and professors of it too. Perhaps this made the word more precious, being dear-bought; and the examples of the apostles shone very bright under their afflictions; so that the Thessalonians embraced the word cheerfully, and followed the example of the suffering apostles joyfully, with joy in the Holy Ghost-such solid and spiritual and lasting joy as the Holy Ghost is the author of, who, when our afflictions abound, makes our consolations much more to abound.
II. Their zeal prevailed to such a degree that they were themselves examples to all about them, v. 7, 8. Observe here,
- 1. Their example was very effectual to make good impressions upon many others. They were typoi-stamps, or instruments to make impression with. They had themselves received good impressions from the preaching and conversation of the apostles, and they made good impressions, and their conversation had an influence upon others. Note, Christians should be so good as by their example to influence others.
- 2. It was very extensive, and reached beyond the confines of Thessalonica, even to the believers of all Macedonia, and further, in Achaia; the Philippians, and others who received the gospel before the Thessalonians, were edified by their example. Note, Some who were last hired into the vineyard may sometimes outstrip those who come in before them, and become examples to them.
- 3. It was very famous. The word of the Lord, or its wonderful effects upon the Thessalonians, sounded, or was famous and well known, in the regions round about that city, and in every place; not strictly every where, but here and there, up and down in the world: so that, from the good success of the gospel among them, many others were encouraged to entertain it, and to be willing, when called, to suffer for it. Their faith was spread abroad.
  - (1.) The readiness of their faith was famed abroad. These Thessalonians embraced the gospel as soon as it was preached to them; so that every body took notice what manner of entering in among them the apostles had, that there were no such delays as at Philippi, where it was a great while before much good was done.
  - (2.) The effects of their faith were famous.
    - [1.] They quitted their idolatry; they turned from their idols, and abandoned all the false worship they had been educated in.
    - [2.] They gave themselves up to God, to the living and true God, and devoted themselves to his service.
    - [3.] They set themselves to wait for the Son of God from heaven, v. 10. And this is one of the peculiarities of our holy religion, to wait for Christ's second coming, as those who believe he will come and hope he will come to our joy. The believers under the Old Testament waited for the coming of the Messiah, and believers now wait for his second coming; he is yet to come. And there is good reason to believe he will come, because God has raised him from the dead, which is full assurance unto all men that he will come to judgment, Acts 17:31. And there is good reason to hope and wait for his coming, because he has delivered us from the wrath to come. He came to purchase salvation, and will, when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full and final deliverance from sin, and death, and hell, from that wrath which is yet to come upon unbelievers, and which, when it has once come, will be yet to come, because it is everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, Mt. 25:41.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Thessalonians » Chapter 1 » Verse 3

1 Thessalonians 1:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Cross Reference

Romans 8:24-25 STRONG

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 STRONG

2 Timothy 1:3-5 STRONG

Philemon 1:5-7 STRONG

Hebrews 6:10-11 STRONG

Hebrews 11:7-8 STRONG

Hebrews 11:24-34 STRONG

James 1:3-4 STRONG

James 2:17-26 STRONG

James 5:7-8 STRONG

John 6:27-29 STRONG

John 14:21-23 STRONG

John 21:15-17 STRONG

Romans 5:3-5 STRONG

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 STRONG

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 STRONG

2 Corinthians 8:7-9 STRONG

Revelation 2:2-4 STRONG

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary

Chapter 1