Greetings from Paul, Silas and Timothy
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Philemon 1:1-3)
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving for Their Faith
(1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14)
3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Christ's Coming
5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Greetings to the Thessalonians
(1 Thessalonians 1:1–10)
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; 4 so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
Christ’s Coming
5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. 6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. 11 To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Greetings to the Thessalonians
(1 Thessalonians 1:1–10)
1 Paul, Silvanus, a and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father b and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing. 4 That is why we boast among God’s churches about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecution and affliction you are enduring.
Christ’s Coming
5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, 10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.
11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. c
Footnotes:
1 a That is, Silas
2 b SBL, NE, and WH God the Father
12 c Or the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Greetings from Paul, Silas and Timothy
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Philemon 1:1-3)
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the assembly of Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thanksgiving for Their Faith
(1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14)
3We ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because increase greatly doth your faith, and abound doth the love of each one of you all, to one another; 4so that we ourselves do glory in you in the assemblies of God, for your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye bear;
Christ's Coming
5a token of the righteous judgment of God, for your being counted worthy of the reign of God, for which also ye suffer, 6since it is a righteous thing with God to give back to those troubling you -- trouble, 7and to you who are troubled -- rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power, 8in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; 9who shall suffer justice -- destruction age-during -- from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength, 10when He may come to be glorified in his saints, and to be wondered at in all those believing -- because our testimony was believed among you -- in that day; 11for which also we do pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling, and may fulfil all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of the faith in power, 12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
Greeting and Thanksgiving
¹ Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
God’s Justice and Glory
⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might ¹⁰ on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Prayer for God’s Strength
¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Footnotes:
1.“Perseverance and faith” (verse 4) emphasizes the strength and endurance of the Thessalonians under persecution. The Greek term hypomone denotes patient endurance, not merely waiting, but remaining steadfast despite suffering.
2.“Worthy of the kingdom” (verse 5) refers to the Thessalonians’ endurance as evidence of their participation in God’s kingdom. The Greek word axios means deserving or fit, but here, it stresses the transformative work God is doing in their lives as they suffer for His sake.
3.“Blazing fire” (verse 7) uses the imagery of divine judgment. Fire in Scripture often symbolizes God’s purifying presence and judgment (e.g., Exodus 19:18). Here, it conveys both the power and majesty of Jesus’ return.
4.“Everlasting destruction” (verse 9) indicates a final, eternal separation from God’s presence. The Greek word olethros refers not to annihilation, but to ruin or loss. The emphasis is on the eternal nature of this judgment, being cut off from the glory of the Lord.
5.“Marvel at Him” (verse 10) conveys the awe and wonder believers will experience when Jesus is revealed in His full glory. The Greek word thaumazo means to be filled with amazement or astonishment, highlighting the overwhelming majesty of Christ’s return.
6.“Worthy of His calling” (verse 11) indicates that God’s work in believers is what makes them worthy. The Greek verb kataxioun means to make deserving or fit, and Paul prays that God’s grace will bring about this transformation in the Thessalonians.
7.“Every desire for goodness” (verse 11) suggests that the Thessalonians’ longings to do good works come from God’s prompting. Paul prays that God will empower them to fulfill these desires and live out their faith in practical ways.
