Fathers

1 Thessalonians 1

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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything. For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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What the Fathers say

1 Thessalonians 1:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth." As a sweet-smelling ointment keeps not its fragrance shut up in itself, but diffuses it afar, and scenting the air with its perfume, so conveys it also to the senses of the neighbors; so too illustrious and admirable men do not shut up their virtue within themselves, but by their good report benefit many, and render them better. …

Homily on 1 Thessalonians 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The fame of your virtue has caused the preaching to become known to all, and you have shown yourselves to be teachers of all. The expression "sounded forth" — he speaks as if of a trumpet, sounding loudly and heard over a great distance. Your example, says the apostle, filled Macedonia and Greece with word and teaching, and every place with amazement, that in such a short time you showed such faith. …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Your goodness was added to this, for the word of the Lord sounded forth from you, that is, the Lord has been preached; in other words, your fame was diffused not only in Macedonia and Achaia, who are your neighbors, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, that is, a faith which God accepts, which joins you to God, and which is edifying everywhere: "Your faith is proclaimed in all the world" (Rom. 1:8). And proof exists for all this, so that we need not say anything. …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗