1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

[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 

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul"s favorite appellation for the Thessalonians was "brothers." He used it15 times in this epistle and seven times in2Thessalonians. It emphasizes the equality of Christians in the family of God, Jews and Gentiles alike, and it reveals Paul"s strong affection for his Thessalonian converts.
"The phrase beloved by God was a phrase which the Jews applied only to supremely great men like Moses and Song of Solomon , and to the nation of Israel itself. Now the greatest privilege of the greatest men of God"s chosen people has been extended to the humblest of the Gentiles." [1]
Paul thanked God for choosing the Thessalonian believers for salvation. There are three participial clauses that modify the main verb eucharistoumen ("we give thanks," 1 Thessalonians 1:2). 1 Thessalonians 1:2 b gives the manner of giving thanks, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 the occasion, and 1 Thessalonians 1:4 the ultimate cause. Their response to the gospel proved God"s choice of them. Paul had not persuaded them by clever oratory, but the power (Gr. dynamei, dative case) of God through the Holy Spirit"s convicting work had brought them to faith in Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). This Greek word stresses inward power that possessed the missionaries, not necessarily that supernatural manifestations accompanied their preaching, which dynameis ("miracles," 1 Corinthians 12:10; Galatians 3:5) would have emphasized.
"The spiritual power and conviction with which the message was received matched the spiritual power and conviction with which it was delivered." [2]
The lives of the preachers who had behaved consistently with what they taught in Thessalonica had backed up their message.
"Conviction is invisible without action. Paul"s conviction as well as that of the Thessalonians (seen in their respective actions) testified to the genuine relationship that each had with the God who chose them ..." [3]
"Persons in both the religious and philosophical communities of the first century felt that the only teachers worth a moment"s attention were those who taught with their lives as well as with their words." [4]