Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Faith;   Gospel;   Minister, Christian;   Thankfulness;   Word of God;   Thompson Chain Reference - Bible, the;   Reception-Rejection;   Receptivity, Spiritual;   Word;   Word of God;   The Topic Concordance - Belief;   Thankfulness;   Truth;   Word of God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Faith;   Gospel, the;   Scriptures, the;   Thanksgiving;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Thessalonians, Epistle to the 1 and 2;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Canon;   Inspiration;   Persecution;   Teacher;   Thessalonians, letters to;   Thessalonica;   Word;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Bible, Canon of the;   Church, the;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Experience;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Predestination;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Gospel;   Logos;   Word;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Prayer;   Regeneration;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Inspiration and Revelation;   Intercession;   Lord;   Perseverance;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Inspiration;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Cause;   Effect;   Of;   Salvation;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;   Truth;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 27;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
Legacy Standard Bible
And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We are so thankful you didn't turn a deaf ear to what we had to say. You didn't act like God's message was just another self-help course taught by the world. It was the word of God and you accepted it with the awe and reverence you should have. It is this power that is now available to you and at work within you whether you realize it or not.
Bible in Basic English
And for this cause we still give praise to God, that, when the word came to your ears through us, you took it, not as the word of man, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which has living power in you who have faith.
Darby Translation
And for this cause we also give thanks to God unceasingly that, having received [the] word of [the] report of God by us, ye accepted, not men's word, but, even as it is truly, God's word, which also works in you who believe.
Christian Standard Bible®
This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the message of God, which also works effectively in you believers.
World English Bible
For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, even because when ye received the word of God from us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, who likewise effectually worketh in you that believe.
Weymouth's New Testament
And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God, that when you received God's Message from our lips, it was as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as--what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work in the hearts of you who believe.
King James Version (1611)
For this cause also thanke wee God without ceasing, because when yee receiued the word of God, which yee heard of vs, yee receiued it not as the word of men, but (as it is in trueth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that beleeue.
Literal Translation
And because of this we give thanks to God without ceasing, that having received the Word of hearing from us, you welcomed it as of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which alsoworks in you, the ones believing.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For this cause thanke we God without ceassynge, because that wha ye receaued of vs the worde of the preachinge of God, ye receaued it not as ye worde of men, but (eue as it is of a trueth) the worde of God, which worketh in you that beleue.
Mace New Testament (1729)
nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe.
THE MESSAGE
And now we look back on all this and thank God, an artesian well of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn't pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God's true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!
Amplified Bible
And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].
American Standard Version
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
Revised Standard Version
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For this cause thanke we god with out ceasynge because that when ye receaved of vs the worde wherwith God was preached ye receaved it not as the worde of man: but even as it was in dede the worde of God which worketh in you that beleve.
Update Bible Version
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message, [even the word] of God, you accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you that believe.
Webster's Bible Translation
For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Young's Literal Translation
Because of this also, we -- we do give thanks to God continually, that, having received the word of hearing from us of God, ye accepted, not the word of man, but as it is truly, the word of God, who also doth work in you who believe;
New Century Version
Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God's message which works in you who believe.
New English Translation
And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.
Berean Standard Bible
And we continually thank God that in receiving the word of God from us, you did not accept it as the word of men, but as the true word of God-the word now at work in you who believe.
Contemporary English Version
We always thank God that you believed the message we preached. It came from him, and it isn't something made up by humans. You accepted it as God's message, and now he is working in you.
Complete Jewish Bible
Another reason we regularly thank God is that when you heard the Word of God from us, you received it not merely as a human word, but as it truly is, God's Word, which is at work in you believers.
English Standard Version
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For this cause also thanke we God without ceasing, that when ye receiued the worde of God, which ye heard of vs, ye receiued it not as the worde of men, but as it is in deede the worde of God, which also worketh in you that beleeue.
George Lamsa Translation
For this cause also we thank God continually, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which works effectively in you who believe.
Hebrew Names Version
For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.
International Standard Version
Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is - the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.Matthew 10:40; Galatians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Peter 3:2;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
WHEREFORE we also give thanks constantly unto Aloha, that the word of Aloha which you received from us, was not as the word of man (that) you received (it), but, as it is truly, the word of Aloha, which in operation worketh (alike) in you and in all them who believe.
Murdock Translation
Therefore also we give thanks unceasingly to God, that the word of God which ye received from us, ye did not receive as the word of men, but as being truly the word of God, which worketh efficiently in you and in them that believe.
New King James Version
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
New Living Translation
Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
New Life Bible
We always thank God that when you heard the Word of God from us, you believed it. You did not receive it as from men, but you received it as the Word of God. That is what it is. It is at work in the lives of you who believe.
English Revised Version
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, [even the word] of God, ye accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
New Revised Standard
We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, for this cause, we, are also giving thanks unto God unceasingly, that, when ye received a spoken word from us - which was God's, ye welcomed it - not as a human word, but, even as it truly is, a divine word, - which is also inwardly working itself in you who believe.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lexham English Bible
And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that when you received God's word that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For this cause thanke we God also without ceassyng, because ye receauyng the worde which ye hearde of vs concernyng God, ye receaued it not as the worde of man, (but as it is in deede) the worde of God, which effectuously worketh also in you that beleue.
Easy-to-Read Version
Also, we always thank God because of the way you accepted his message. You heard it and accepted it as God's message, not our own. And it really is God's message. And it works in you who believe.
New American Standard Bible
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
Good News Translation
And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God's message, you heard it and accepted it, not as a message from human beings but as God's message, which indeed it is. For God is at work in you who believe.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor we doon thankingis to God with outen ceessyng. For whanne ye hadden take of vs the word `of the heryng of God, ye token it not as the word of men, but as `it is verili, the word of God, that worchith in you that han bileued.

Contextual Overview

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thank: 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Romans 1:8, Romans 1:9

because: Jeremiah 44:16, Matthew 10:13, Matthew 10:14, Matthew 10:40, Acts 2:41, Acts 10:33, Acts 13:45, Acts 13:48, Acts 16:14, Acts 16:30-34, Acts 17:11, Acts 17:18-20, Acts 17:32, Galatians 4:14, 2 Peter 3:2

the word of God: Jeremiah 23:28, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 5:1, Luke 8:11, Luke 8:21, Luke 11:28, Acts 8:14, Acts 13:44, Acts 13:46, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 1:16-21

effectually: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, John 15:3, John 17:17, John 17:19, Romans 6:17, Romans 6:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:6, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 2:2, 1 John 3:3, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:24 - the word 1 Chronicles 29:13 - we thank Nehemiah 8:3 - ears Psalms 45:4 - prosperously Psalms 110:2 - the rod Psalms 119:102 - for thou Proverbs 4:10 - my Song of Solomon 4:2 - teeth Song of Solomon 4:16 - the spices Isaiah 55:11 - shall my Jeremiah 10:1 - General Ezekiel 3:10 - receive Haggai 1:12 - Zerubbabel Matthew 20:16 - for John 6:63 - the words John 17:8 - received Romans 1:13 - even Romans 1:16 - for it is 1 Corinthians 9:8 - as 1 Corinthians 15:1 - which also Galatians 2:5 - that Ephesians 1:13 - after that ye heard Ephesians 3:7 - by Ephesians 4:16 - the effectual Philippians 1:23 - in Colossians 1:5 - the word 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - received 1 Thessalonians 1:9 - what 1 Thessalonians 2:1 - our 2 Thessalonians 1:10 - our 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - the work 2 Thessalonians 3:1 - even 2 Timothy 3:14 - knowing Philemon 1:7 - great joy Hebrews 4:2 - not being Hebrews 13:7 - word James 1:19 - let James 1:21 - and receive 1 John 2:27 - but 3 John 1:2 - even

Cross-References

Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
Isaiah 11:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,.... As for their election of God, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 so for their effectual calling by his grace, to his kingdom and glory, just now mentioned, as well as for their reception of the word of God as such, hereafter expressed; since their having it and receiving it, and the effectual operation of it in them, were owing to the goodness and grace of God, and therefore required a constant sense of the favour, and thankfulness, without ceasing, for it. The apostle having at large considered the manner of his and his fellow ministers' entrance among them without guile, flattery, covetousness, or any sinister view, and with all simplicity, integrity, labour, diligence, affection, and tenderness, returns to observe the reception their ministry met with, and the influence and effect it had upon them:

because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us; or "the word of hearing of God", as the Vulgate Latin version from the Greek text literally renders it; that is, the Gospel which was preached by the apostles, and was heard and received by these Thessalonians: and it is called the word of God, because God is the author of it; it comes from him, and is ministered by his authority, and is a part of that written word which is given by his inspiration; and because his grace in choosing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, adopting, regenerating, and giving eternal life to men, and the declaration of his will concerning saving them by his Son Jesus Christ, are the subject matter of it; and because he owns and blesses it, for the conversion and comfort of his people: and it may be called the word of hearing of God, because coming from him, and containing his will, and preached by his order, and succeeded by his power, hearing comes by it; it is divinely breathed by him; he speaks in it by his ministers, and he is heard of in it by his people; as he was by these believers, who heard his word both externally and internally; and received it into their understandings, so as to know it spiritually and experimentally; into their minds, not merely notionally, and so as to assent to the truth of it, and give credit to it, but so as to believe in Christ revealed in it; and into their affections, in the love of it, and with joy in the Holy Ghost; they received it gladly, and with meekness and readiness, so that it became the ingrafted word, and brought forth fruit in them: the manner in which they received it follows,

ye received it not as the word of men: which is often fallacious and deceitful, at least dubious and uncertain, and not to be depended on; nor did they receive it as the words of wise men are received, and because it was clothed with the wisdom, eloquence, and oratory of men, for it was destitute of these; nor upon the credit and authority of men, no, not of the apostles themselves:

but as it is in truth the word of God: it appearing to be agreeably to the perfections of his nature, and to the Scriptures of truth, and it bearing his impress and divine authority, they received it with much assurance and certainty, as infallible truth; and which was inviolably to be adhered to, without any alteration, without adding to it or taking from it; and to be had and retained in the greatest esteem and reverence, and never to be departed from: and that they received it in this manner, appears from its operation in them,

which effectually worketh also in you that believe: the Vulgate Latin version reads, "who worketh"; referring it to God, as indeed it may be referred to him, as well as to his word; but the sense is much the same, for God works by and with his word, and his word only effectually works when it comes in power; or is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe; and when it does come with a divine commission and power, it effectually works to the quickening of dead sinners, the enlightening of dark minds, the unstopping of deaf ears, the softening of hard hearts, producing faith which works by love, encouraging hope, delivering from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the law, and comforting and establishing the hearts of the saints under all afflictions, trials, and persecutions.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For this cause also thank we God - In addition to the reasons for thankfulness already suggested, the apostle here refers to the fact that they received the truth, when it was preached, in such a way as to show that they fully believed it to be the word of God.

Not as the word of men - Not of human origin, but as a divine revelation. You were not led to embrace it by human reasoning, or the mere arts of persuasion, or from personal respect for others, but by your conviction that it was a revelation from God. It is only when the gospel is embraced in this way that religion will show itself sufficient to abide the fiery trials to which Christians may be exposed. He who is convinced by mere human reasoning may have his faith shaken by opposite artful reasoning; he who is won by the mere arts of popular eloquence will have no faith which will be proof against similar arts in the cause of error; he who embraces religion from mere respect for a pastor, parent, or friend, or because others do, may abandon it when the popular current shall set in a different direction, or when his friends shall embrace different views; but he who embraces religion as the truth of God, and from the love of the truth, will have a faith, like that of the Thessalonians, which will abide every trial.

Which effectually worketh also in you that believe - The word rendered “which” here - ὅς hos - may be referred either to “truth” or to “God.” The grammatical construction will admit of either, but it is not material which is adopted. Either of them expresses a sense undeniably true, and of great importance. The meaning is, that the truth was made efficacious in the minds of all who became true Christians. It induced them to abandon their sins, to devote themselves to God, to lead pure and holy lives, and enabled them to abide the trials and temptations of life; compare notes on Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 13:21. The particular illustration here is, that when they embraced the gospel it had such an efficacy on their hearts as to prepare them to meet all the terrors of bitter persecution without shrinking.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 13. Ye received the word of God — Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile