Thessalonica seen from the hills above at dawn: low tiled roofs and colonnades running down to a calm gulf, two small merchant ships at the quay, a snowy mountain faint across the water.

The Book of

1 Thessalonians 1

Only weeks after Paul was driven out of their city, good news comes back: the young church is standing, and the whole region has heard.

10 verses≈ 3 min3 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Thank GodFaith, love and hope at workChapter 1
2:1–16Among youGentle as a mother, firm as a father
2:17–3:13Torn awayTimothy brings good news
4:1–12Please GodHoly, loving, quiet lives
4:13–5:28Until He comesHope, readiness, life together

Greetings to the Thessalonians

From PaulTo the church of the Thessalonians

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

1 Thessalonians 1:1

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Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

The road to this letter

Paul, Silas and Timothy reached Thessalonica from Philippi, along the Via Egnatia. A few weeks later they had to leave by night, for Berea, then Athens, then Corinth. Paul writes from Corinth, about AD 50–51, to “the church of the Thessalonians.”

We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers

and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith, love and hope

Whiteboard

Paul doesn’t thank God for feelings. He thanks Him for what faith, love and hope were doing: faith at work, love that labors, hope that keeps going under pressure because it rests on Jesus. The same three return at the end of the letter, as armor for a believer to wear.

Pray

Thank God for them

Paul could say, “We always thank God for all of you.” Think of one or two believers whose faith, love and hope have helped you. Thank God for them by name today, and ask Him to keep their faith working, their love laboring and their hope enduring. If you can, tell them you prayed.

Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you,

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

Question

Quick question

Paul remembers how the good news first reached Thessalonica.

How does Paul say the gospel came to them?

A plain stone milestone where a paved Roman road meets a road running south at dawn, a few travelers with packs walking away in both directions.

As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Paul

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

Reflect

Turned, serving, waiting

The whole region heard how the Thessalonians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await His Son from heaven.” What has God turned you away from? What does serving Him look like in your ordinary week? And how would it change today to live as someone waiting for Jesus?

You’ve experienced

1 Thessalonians 1

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A verse to carry with you

For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

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