Study Desk

Paul, Silvanus,^[a](a) and Timothy:^(b) To the church of the Thessalonians^(c) in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.^[b]

We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.

We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,^(d) your work of faith,^(e) labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,^(f)

knowing your election,^(g) brothers loved^(h) by God.⁽ⁱ⁾

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,^(j) and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you^(k) for your benefit,

and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message^(l) with joy from the Holy Spirit.

As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia^(m) and Achaia.⁽ⁿ⁾

For the Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith^[c](o) in God has gone out. Therefore, we don't need to say anything,

for they themselves report^[d] what kind of reception^(p) we had from you: how you turned^(q) to God from idols^(r) to serve the living^(s) and true^(t) God

and to wait^(u) for His Son^(v) from heaven, whom He raised from the dead^(w)—Jesus, who rescues us^(x) from the coming wrath.^(y)