1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

[2] We give thanks  to God  always  for  all,  making  mention  in  prayers;  [3] Remembering  without ceasing  work  of faith,  and  labour  of love,  and  patience  of hope  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in the sight  of God  and  Father;  [4] Knowing,  brethren  beloved,  election  of  God.  [5] For  gospel  came  not  unto  in  word  only,  but  also  in  power,  and  in  the Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance;  as  ye know  what manner of men  we were  among  for  [6] And  became  followers  and  of the Lord,  having received  the word  in  much  affliction,  with  joy  of the Holy  Ghost:  [7] So  were  ensamples  to all  that believe  in  Macedonia  and  Achaia.  [8] For  from  sounded out  the word  of the Lord  not  only  in  Macedonia  and  Achaia,  but  also  in  every  place  faith  to  God-ward  is spread abroad;  so  need  not  to speak  any thing.  [9] For  themselves  shew  of  what manner  of entering in  we had  unto  and  how  ye turned  to  God  from  idols  to serve  the living  and  true  God;  [10] And  to wait for  his  Son  from  heaven,  whom  he raised  from  the dead,  even Jesus,  which  delivered  the wrath  to come. 

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul began the first main section of his epistle by reviewing several aspects of the Thessalonians" salvation and giving thanks to God for them to encourage his readers to persevere despite persecution.
". . . both letters name Paul, Silas, and Timothy as the authors of the letters. Yet the letters are traditionally ascribed to Paul alone. Is this fair? Many scholars answer no. They note the way the first-person plural dominates both letters, even in the thanksgiving section, which does not happen in most of the other Pauline letters, including three of them that name someone else in the salutation ( 1 Corinthians ,, Philippians , Philemon). The inclusion of more than one person in the salutation of a letter was most unusual in antiquity; readers would probably have read the plural "we" as a genuine indication of authorship. However, there is reason to pause before drawing this conclusion. ... Paul is the primary author [1]." [2]
"Paul, like a good psychologist, and with true Christian tact, begins with praise even when he meant to move on to rebuke." [3]