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Brethren, beloved by God, we know that he has chosen you, because our gospel[a] came to you not merely in words alone but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with profound conviction. And you are fully aware what sort of people we proved to be when we were among you for your sake.

And you in turn became imitators[b] of us and of the Lord, for despite great suffering you received the word with joy in the Holy Spirit,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Our gospel: this is the Gospel of God the Father (1 Thes 2:8) who originated it and of Christ (1 Thes 3:2) who brought it forth by his atoning death. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had received it through faith and preached it to others. Power: a power residing in the Gospel itself (see Rom 1:16) and also coming from the Holy Spirit (see Rom 15:13, 18f; 1 Cor 2:4f), which delivered the Thessalonians from spiritual bondage.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Imitators: all Christians are to imitate God (see Eph 5:1) and Christ (see 1 Cor 11:1) as well as their spiritual leaders (see 2 Thes 3:7, 9; 1 Tim 4:12; Tit 2:7; 1 Pet 5:3) and their fellow Christians (see 1 Thes 2:14; 1 Cor 4:6; 11:1), for all believers are one in Christ.

For we know, brothers and sisters[a] loved by God,(A) that he has chosen you, because our gospel(B) came to you not simply with words but also with power,(C) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know(D) how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us(E) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering(F) with the joy(G) given by the Holy Spirit.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 27.